Hi All,

We want to share your best diet and exercise tips and techniques in our monthly EatingWell Diet e-newsletter. What are your meal planning tips? How do you make sure to exercise? Where does your motivation come from? Share them here!

I just get out of bed & go.
I go to gym 3 days a week I just wash face, brush teeth, comb hair & deodorant clothes for gym & off I go.
On other days I walk a mile, I must use a cane but I still walk. Had a brain tumor removed just a year ago. It was terrible to not be able to walk or goto gym.
Instead I had therapy 2 hrs a day but it was woth it in the end.

I have made the committment to myself to do some sort of exercise everyday. Somedays it is getting up early to walk/jog through my neighbourhood, other days it is a workout at the gym. The key is to do it everyday - you know what I have found? I enjoy it! I feel less stress and I care more about what I eat - it has come full circle! The results speak for themselves. I am happier, healthier and shrinking!

Because of back pain, 99% of my daily exercise is swimming. See www.totalimmersion.net for information on fish like swimming without struggle.I love it and that is the key to get me there every morning.
Several years ago, after knee surgery, I realized I needed to take control of my own health.That included everything I put into my mouth. Why would I want to eat things that would jepordize my health? I've educated myself online and through our library. EatingWell has helped so much. We eat delicious all the time,
I belong to a local organic CSA from June-November and organics are more readily available in our stores. Fresh ingredients make the difference for us.
I also own a VitaMix and we have some fantastic shakes, soups and frozen desserts in seconds. Good knives, a grill pan an AlClad skillet and a zester are essential in my kitchen.
The best tip I can offer is to eat 7-10 vegetable fruit servings/day. Notice I said vegetable/fruit instead of fruit/vegetable. Lean protein, whole grains, lean protein and lots of water. Are you hungry or are you thirsty?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: staying healthy,

Susan, I don't know if you receive our newsletters, but I posted your tip in the August one! Keep the good tips coming!

Best Diet Technique: I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. I plan out my meals every sunday and grocerie shop 1-2 times per week. I buy most of my groceries in the parimeter of the grocerie store, and try to limit items purchased from the center. I limit eating out to 1-2 lunches per week, and 1-2 dinneers per week. Most of our meals are actually made from Eating Well magazines! We LOVE them!!!

Hello, my inspiration are my gym buddies. Once you find a gym, mine is all ladies. I am doing Aerobics with 20 year olds to 70 and 80 year olds!! We celebrate each others accomplishments, birthdays, and shrinking everytime we see each other. I truly think excercise is the secret! If I am having a "lazy" day...I think about my 72 year old friend...I am 48...doing yoga, and aerobics, and I have no excuse then! We all award each other with a lunch out! Look for inspiration...it is out there and don't give up!!

BEc, I dont know if you get our EatingWell Diet newsletter, but your inspiration is going in the November issue!

My new inspiration is my friend Erin having a membership at the same gym I go to. She called on Sat and told me she was going. I almost didn't go, and if I hadn't know she was going, I wouldn't have. BUt knowing she was going, I felt guilty so I went. Last night, the reverse happened. I called her to tell her I'd be going and she was like, I just want to chill and relax, it's cold and rainy.. BUt she went.

I also started a new yoga class at the gym. I have terrible lower back pain sometimes and just geberally have been feeling tight all over so it's been wonderfully relaxing way to exercise each week. And it makes me sore the next day, so I feel good about it!

I wear a pedometer and walk at least 8000 steps per day. I'm sitting at a computer all day at work, so it's very important that I get exercise. I walk at Noon most days and finish up (the 8000 steps) after work on my treadmill or by walking around the neighborhood or shopping plaza. Three times a week I work out on my Pilates machine for about 20 minutes and I'm surprised how beneficial that has been for my muscle tone.
As for diet, I'm a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and try to adhere to healthy eating habits. Since I live alone, I have complete control over what foods are in the house and don't buy things I know will "lead me astray." Fresh fruits and vegetables are my salvation. I eat red meat no more than twice a week and have salmon at least once a week. If I want ice cream I go to Carvel and buy a one scoop cone.
I carry my lunch to work and eat out no more than twice a week. I like to cook and don't mind preparing meals for one. All this works for me, even though it's harder to maintain as I get older. I am 62 but am in better shape than most of the people at work, even the younger ones. Tenacity pays off!

I decided that I have to get back into my morning workouts. I was regularly getting to the gym 3-5 mornings during the week and it's the only time I really don't have an excuse. So, I got up this morning and went to the gym. It's going to be a gradual process, I'm shooting for 1-2 mornings the next 2 weeks, but I know I can do it because I did do it!

It was very interesting to me as I watched the finals for "The Biggest Loser" last night. Nine contestants and probably half were women lost 100 lb. while the show process was going on in an 8-9 month timeframe. Those nine never were on the ranch with all the first hand trainers, food etc. They were average people at home who decided it was their time for themselves. As one of the trainers said- Start today. Don't wait for Jan 1. Getting in the pool 6 days a week (Fri. is yoga) keeps me grounded. EW keeps me grounded also. Try the variety they offer in each issue. Be mindful of every moment you have and shut the tv off when eating. I had a friend over for dinner last night and we were at the table for over an hour. What a joy.

I think I need to check out The Biggest Loser next time! So many people rave about that show!

Well, I did it--I went to the gym this morning. And it felt so good! It's such a great way to start my morning. I was rested enough when I woke up and I had so much more energy this morning. I need to remember that.

Making fantastic meals is the first thing, I tend to eat more when the food is boring, so Eating Well is really important. But my secret tool is Werther's Original candies. I pop one in my mouth when I have eaten all I want and it stops that craving for more. Not very many calories and they are wonderful buttery caramel hard candies, so they satisfy my sweet tooth as well. I put a roll in my purse and pass them around when I'm eating in restaurants.

I've discovered that if I make plans to awaken early and get on the elliptical trainer in the morning, I actually do it. I put out my workout clothes the night before and set the alarm. Only having one bathroom has been a plus, too - I exercise while my partner gets ready for work, then hop in when I'm done. So, no excuses! Now I really look forward to doing it at least three times a week because I know I'll feel energized all day.

I try to make sure anytime I eat, whether it's a meal or a snack, that it include protein, fat and carbs. I used to eat a piece of fruit for a snack to hold me until the next meal and it never worked. But if I just eat half the fruit with a little cheese, nuts or peanut butter, it makes so much difference!