Tips To Stop The Evening Eating

CLEAN

• I find when I'm tidying up my condo I get so distracted that I don't even think about food. I used to eat food when I was bored, which is weird, I wasn't hungry but I thought 'I'm bored might as well eat.'
• I usually pack my gym bag for the next day, start a load of laundry, do a load of dishes, make my lunch for the next day and vaccuum (we have a dog that sheds a lot)
• It doesn't seem like much but this little bit of prepping and tidying takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, that's time where I'm not mindlesly eating and I'm actually accomplishing something in the process.

WALK THE DOG

• I'm pretty fortunate that I'm dog has a lot of energy so I'm forced to spend at least 2 hours a day outside exercising him. This could be walking on nature trails or letting him  run through the dog park. This also helps you burn more calories than you think. The average dog owner loses 14 pounds a year, by simply taking care of their pet.

GET PAMPERED

• I love getting a pedicure afterwork, or my bangs trimmed, or my eyebrows threaded. Doing these little things that I like to call 'maintenance' after work is another great way to stop the mindless evening eating. Doing something good for your body while trying to lose weight will also help motivate you. A lot of women find that getting a haircut can dramatically change their appearance along with weight loss. A more flattering cut can highlight cheekbones, a slimmer neck and a more defined jaw.

READ

• Don't just read anything, read something that'll keep your attention for at least an hour. If you're like me '50 Shades of Grey' is a great place to start. I also find that reading health magazines like 'Women's Health' and 'Shape' provide a lot of advice and recipe ideas. The before and after stories are really motivational too, keeps me off the couch.

DATE NIGHT

• Single or in a relationship 'date night' is a must. Maintaining the relationship with your spouse or partner is essential to your weight loss as they're your biggest supporter and the person you're most intimate with. Who knows your pro-active approach to weight loss may rub off on them.

SHOP

• I know a lot of people are going to be upset about this one but it really helps. Think of all the money you spend over the course of a year on chips, chocolate, pop and pizza. Now instead of heading out for snacks, head out for a new outfit. Shopping is a great motivator to lose weight and for those of us who hate the scale what's more rewarding than going down a jean size? The time spent browsing through the market or mall burns additional calories and it gets you out of the house. I find that once I'm up and about I don't even think about snacking.

The Motivation

I hate shopping for pants, shorts, skirts any kind of bottom you can imagine and especially swimwear. I know I'm not the only one out there either. I get so excited about going shopping and then I end up buying lots of dresses so I can disguise my lower half. In fact I've become so good at disguising my real size with dresses and leggings that a lot of my friends are really shocked to see how heavy I look in a swimsuit. Well that's it! I'm no longer content with just hiding my lower half, I can be slim, and no longer dread shopping for jeans!!!
My motivation for any weight loss usually comes when planning a vacation. Last year I thought that I actually looked OK in a bikini until I saw the photos, its crazy! In a mirror I would twist and post to make my body look toned but as soon as a shot was snapped of me on the beach or by  the pool, you could see it, the FAT!! and there was no hiding it, no denying it! it was there and it still is. I decided that this year's trip to Mexico would be different, our plan is to go in November so I have 5 months to do something about it.
I will be posting weekly regarding my progress and what measures I'm taking to end the jiggling.

I have already joined a gym and I go to classes 5 days a week on my lunch break and I've also started walking my dog more in the evening. I already take my lunch to work and avoid fast food. To view the classes I participate in at my gym please click on the following link http://www.worldhealth.ca/classes/quick-class-finder.aspx?c=53, any feedback regarding how I should organize my week of classes would help. My first post will be July 23rd, 2012.