Summer Time Fitness While Eating Well

 It’s getting to be that time of year again when the sun shines like you kind of remember it did many months ago, and winter attire has been put away.  Summer has arrived but there is still time to get ready  for that August vacation.  In fact I hear many folks still  thinking about shedding a few pounds so we can get into those slacks we bought on sale after Christmas—and the idea of starting a few exercises feels good and maybe even helps the waistline.

Where do we begin? Here’s a few popular diet books and some habits that might be worth adopting once and for all to help launch this springtime effort. Let’s start with some new habits. They all have to do with moderating our eating, not drinking that second glass of wine, walking and moving more than we do now. Those folks who call themselves “fitness experts” tell us that keeping track of what we eat, how long or how far we walk or jog, and whether we keep up with these new personal challenges is a good place to start.

Here are some of my favorite diet books and some of the most popular ones, as well. I can’t swear by their effectiveness or that you will definitely benefit, but my general attitude about these self-help books is that the messages they convey are all pretty good. If you buy one, you will likely read it and benefit, as well. But before you invest, you might want to visit your local bookstore first and skim through a few of these best sellers to get a better idea.

Favorite Diet Books

• Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health by William Davis
• In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
• Clean by Alejandro Junger
• The Fast Metabolism Diet: Eat More Food and Lose More Weight by Haylie Pomroy
• French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano
• The China Study by Thomas Campbell and T. Colin Campbell
• The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet by Robb Wolf and Loren Cordain
• Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution by Robert C. Atkins
• Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

The Benefits of Drinking Smoothies

One other idea to consider when launching a fitness and eating well program is to try out a smoothie at your natural foods market or to make one yourself by merely blending some healthy ingredients together. They are quick and easy to make; they help your digestion; and they are very tasty. Check out a book on smoothies at your local library. I often have one for breakfast.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. The Simple Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie: Blend ¼ cup of blueberries and 8 oz of almond milk found in virtually all grocery markets. Optional: vegan pea protein (vanilla or chocolate).

2. The Green Smoothie: Blend 1 cup green grapes, 3 cups frozen unsweetened pineapple chunks, 1 cup firmly-packed baby spinach (washed), 2 cups natural unsweetened organic pineapple juice, ¾ cup vanilla yogurt. Optional: 2 Tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread (homemade or Nutella).

3. Sunrise Smoothies: Blend 1 cup ice, ½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate or coconut juice, 1 cup almond milk, 1 medium banana, ½ cup vanilla yogurt and 1 Tbsp honey.

Chef Allan Zox

 

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