Τετάρτη 22 Απριλίου 2009

Is Stress Making You Fat?

A Healthy Diet Can Help Protect You

* Wednesday April 22, 2009, 4:14 pm EDT



Related:

* Herbalife Ltd.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There's no shortage of stress these days - worries about jobs, the economy and the stresses of daily life touch us all. But while occasional stress can rev us up to handle what comes our way, too much stress for too long can take its toll on the body.

Stress can tax the body’s immune system and since a healthy immune system depends on a nutrient-rich diet, being well-nourished is one of the best defenses against illness, particularly during times of ongoing stress.

At the same time, stress can lead to fatigue and depression. And when that happens, healthy eating habits often fall by the wayside. It becomes easier to eat what is quick, or comforting. But fast foods and comfort foods are often laden with fat, salt and sugar – hardly the best nutrients to support a healthy body.

“High calorie comfort foods stimulate the release of certain chemicals in the brain that make us feel good – and make us want to keep eating,” says Luigi Gratton, M.D., and vice president of medical affairs at Herbalife. “But it’s a vicious cycle: overeating leads to weight gain - which increases psychological stress that, in turn, leads to more overeating. In addition, excess weight causes physical stress on the body – leading to more weight gain around the waistline which increases health risks.”

If you are well-nourished, your body will be much better equipped to combat stress. While you might not be able to make the stress go away, here are some tips to help manage how you respond to stress:

* Eat balanced meals. Include lean protein – like poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, or soy products – with each meal. Protein satisfies hunger and also helps keep you mentally alert. Round out your meal with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Protein shakes are an easy way to have a healthy meal without loading up on unwanted calories.
* Eat regularly and don’t skip meals. When you’re stressed it’s easy to put meals off - or even skip them altogether – but energy levels will suffer as a result. If stress is an appetite-killer, try eating smaller amounts of food more often during the day.
* Try to avoid using food as a stress reducer. A brisk walk or a cup of herbal tea might work instead. If you feel the need to eat, hard crunchy foods help relieve stress by putting tight jaw muscles to work. Try snacking on a handful of almonds, soy nuts or baby carrots.
* Make mealtimes pleasant. Keep meals separate from work or other sources of stress – don’t eat at your desk, or pay bills while you eat dinner. Take a little extra time to slow down and relax while you eat – you’re likely to eat less and enjoy it more.

Κυριακή 5 Απριλίου 2009

The New Mental Diet

The New Mental Diet
By: Brian Tracy

One of the most powerful personal programming activities you can engage in is positive self-talk. Be your own cheerleader and talk to yourself positively all of the time.

Think About Your Dreams
As it happens, the average person talks to himself in a negative way. As much as 94 percent of your inner dialogue tends to be about the things you fear, your worries, the people you're angry at, your problems, your concerns and so on. You have to consciously keep your words, your inner dialogue, consistent with what you wish to accomplish.

The Most Powerful Antidote
Psychologists have proven that the words, "I can do it," are the antidote to the fear of failure that often holds you back from trying. Repeat these words over and over to yourself whenever you feel fearful or doubtful about anything that you want to attempt. Say very enthusiastically to yourself, "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!" When you start saying, "I can do it, I can do it," you drive that message deep into your subconscious mind. This message lowers your fears and builds your self-confidence.



Make A Million!
Another thing you can say to yourself is, "I make a million. I make a million." Impress that message into your subconscious mind. Whenever you think about your work, say over and over again, "I'm the best, I'm the best, I'm the best." Making any one of these three statements, or anything that is positive makes you feel good about yourself and causes you to be more motivated. You become more focused, more determined. Wealthy, successful people have a continuous inner dialogue that is positive and constructive and uplifting and consistent with their goals and objectives.

Feed Your Mind Continually
Feed your mind from morning to night with words, pictures, information and ideas consistent with your goals for financial success. Develop the habit of thinking positively and confidently about wealth accumulation. Read stories, books and articles about other successful people. Think about how you could be like them. Visualize yourself, imagine, fantasize, pretend in your mind that you are like the kind of people that you admire and respect and want to be like.

Select A Role Model
Psychologists have proven that role models are essential for magnetizing your mind with the qualities and characteristics that you wish to develop in yourself. Pick a person that you admire. Whenever you face any kind of difficult situation, ask yourself, how would this person act in this situation? What would this person do? How would this person behave? You'll find that when you think about how someone you admire might behave, your own thinking becomes better and you tend to act at your very best.

Become An Expert
Read everything you can find about your business. Become an expert in your field. The more you learn about your profession, your trade and your craft, the more confident you will become that you can do well in it.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do to put yourself on the new mental diet for financial success:

First, repeat to yourself, over and over again, the wonderful words "I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!" Whenever you are anticipating any new goal or opportunity. This affirmation builds your self-confidence and conditions you for success.

Second, monitor your mental diet the way you would your physical diet. Be sure that you feed yourself throughout the day with positive stories, words, pictures and conversations about the things you want to have in your life. Refuse to read, watch, listen to or discuss things that are negative or depressing. This will make a tremendous difference in how you feel and how you act.

By Brian Tracy.
http://www.briantracy.com/