Hello Everybody,
As well as making a New Year resolution to keep up our walking for weight loss program we do need to consider our diet. As I have said before, the Mediterranean diet is the best I know. Not only is it effective but it tastes good as well, so you are not giving up enjoying your food when you begin.
Mediterranean people have the lowest obesity rate in the European Union, with low rates of heart disease and cancer, lower cholesterol and greater longevity. Of course they do have the advantage of a good climate and, for some, a relaxed lifestyle. But what they eat is an important factor in their general good health.
To put it simply the Mediterranean diet consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, pulses, lean meat and oily fish. But, as we know, the meal is in the preparation and Mediterranean people know all about preparation.
There are many regional dishes and many good cookery books available, but one of the best is The I Diet by Gino D’Acampo. The I in the title stands for Italian and a few meals from Gino D’Acampo’s book will make dieting seem a whole lot more attractive. Try a Light Omelette with Chives and Potatoes, Roasted Fresh Fruits with Grand Marnier, Pork Loin with White Wine and Sage Pesto or even Chestnut and Chocolate Cake. Amazingly each of these has less calories than a Starbucks coffee and almond croissant. So, like the Italians, you can eat well and lose weight at the same time.
I would suggest keeping to Southern Italian food. Not all Italians are thin and too much pasta can have a reverse effect to what you are trying to achieve.
Having looked at diet we need to consider exercise, as diet alone will not achieve fitness and keep you permanently slim.
There is nothing difficult about a walking for weight loss program. It just consists of putting on a good pair of boots, dressing for the weather and going for a walk. You can go anywhere, round the block, out into the country, along the beach. Just keep at it and walk every day. One minute’s walking at a reasonable speed will burn off about 4 calories. So the calories in that Light Omelette with Chives and Potatoes you have just eaten will take a little over an hour to lose. The good news is that you do not have to walk for a solid hour. You could walk half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon. As long as you do not eat a big meal during your break all will be well.
If you want more information on The I Diet it is available on Amazon and at good book shops. You may well find it helps you to the best diet ever.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
7 January 2010
Photo. Keko64 (Flickr)
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