Welcome to EatingWell's LivingWell forum, the place to share ideas and experiences dealing with all that is geared towards living a healthy life. This is Sarah, the EatingWell moderator, please share your lifestyle techniques to staying healthy.

I am very concerned with my health, so many years ago I stopped eating red meat (I do take a multi-vitamin which contains zinc). I limit fried foods to maybe once or twice a month, I try to eat mostly whole grains in breads and pastas, and I am careful about including lowfat dairy into my diet (I have had to learn to like milk). And, hardest of all, I have had to learn to enjoy exercising! But it's working-- I'm in my mid-40's, my cholesterol is 131, at 5'5" I weigh around 108-110, and I just feel good!

I get annoyed with people who assume that I am healthy and slim with no effort ("oh, you're probably one of those kind who can eat anything and not gain an ounce!"). Bulldinkys. I work at this. It's probably human nature to want to lay around in the sun and eat potato chips, but I've had to make myself not even WANT to. Kind of.

ANd Eating Well magazine helps me so much!

It is nice to hear someone else knows it is worth the effort with diet and exercise.
EW has helped keep variety and interest in our meals.You can't just look at the magazine, you have to cook the meals. I like the fact that most of the recipes can be cut in half for 2 generous portions.Everything comes to a stop the evening my new issue arrives.
Our meals are as good as any served in a 5 star restaurant. Often I count to see if I had the 7-9 fruit and veggie servings per day. That and swimming a mile in the morning keeps the weight off. Some strength training every week helps keep the muscles toned.
By the way, I know I have more energy because of this. You just need to do it for it to work and EW keeps it intersting and tasting good.

Stayinghealthy, I know what you say!!!
When someone comments to my husband about how trim he is and asks how he stays that way, he gives most cresit to my cooking. He tells people that "every dinner is like a 5-star restaurant meal". He loves how I learned light and healthy cooking from EW (and a couple of other sources as well).

Wish I could do it with just eating and leave the exercising behind, though!

quote:

Originally posted by healthyeats:
Stayinghealthy, I know what you say!!!
When someone comments to my husband about how trim he is and asks how he stays that way, he gives most cresit to my cooking. He tells people that "every dinner is like a 5-star restaurant meal". He loves how I learned light and healthy cooking from EW (and a couple of other sources as well).

Wish I could do it with just eating and leave the exercising behind, though!

I think the key is to find an exercise that you love to do. It won't feel like a workout but we'll just be fun.

I love to walk, except lately in our frigid NJ temperatures. I look forward to it and even when I don't feel like it, I push myself. I'm always glad I did.

Is there any physical activity that you just love to do? I'm sure you can find a group to do it with. Or start one on your own.

Suz

This message has been edited. Last edited by: skupe,

On the make-exercise-easy front, about 5 years ago I finally got organized and cleared out a space in our garage for a "mini-gym." I wanted to be able to just walk out and everything would be there - old computer speakers for sound, kleenex, water bottle, a clock, a floor mat, light weights, a fan, some exercises ripped out of magazines. I do some aerobics and situps. Then I added an old bike on a wind machine, then my daughter added a rowing machine. The whole family uses it now and in any kind of weather. I feel so much better and alert all day with just 20 minutes in the morning out there - I miss it when there isn't time.

Laura that is what we have done also...here in the den ...have a treadmill...weights...balance ball and some tapes also...really has been a big help to have this pa=lace to work out in and not have to set up every time..

I recently purchased a bike so that I could ride with my seven year old son. We manage to get 2 or 3 hours together on the weekends and I go out a few times alone during the week. I really like combining the much needed "quality time" with my son with the much needed exercise that my bottom needs!

Hi. I am new today and just wanted to say hello.

welcome to the bulletin boards! glad to see you here. hope to see you start posting soon!

I am new to this website, and just wanted to say hello. I am in need of encouragement sometimes. I am disabled, and living with my 77 year old mother. I am 53. I have to encourage myself (like David, I think it was in the Bible). I have gained so-o-o much weight in the past year or two. I had just given up for awhile there. Now I want to get back on track. I DO accept being bigger. But I DO want to improve my health, and be TONED, instead of FLABBY. Can anyone understand that??? LOL, In Christ, Karen S.

I'm new today. I found this quite by accident and have read through quite a bit of the eating well site. There is a TON of information yet to read.
I'm a baker/patisserie/cake decorator. I'm also a foodie. I'm a moderator on one food board and I have my own board just for recipes. I attend courses in food preparation given through my local LCBO (Ontario's Liquor Licensing Board). I love food porn!!
Anyhoo...I quit smoking just over 5 years ago and have put weight on. It wasn't sudden, it was gradual. I have stopped at 175 lbs and at 5'7", I don't think that it's a safe weight for me. I don't have anyone to partner with in weight loss, so I'm on my own. Summer is fast approaching and I'd rather not look like a beached whale when I go on holidays in July. I'm really trying to lose the weight but my husband is constantly buying his treats and they are quite a temptation for me. I love junk food! Especially cheesies and chips. It's very hard to stay away from them. I do keep fresh veggies on hand for those really bad urges, but I succumb easily for the junk. Other than locking the cupboards, does anyone have any tips or incentives???
Thanks so much. Deb

Deb, Did you come across the diet module on our site that is tied to our new EatingWell Diet book?

It was on the site itself. I don't get the book.