Posted by aban

As described in the first part of this 3-part article, rule #1 in my weight loss and body best 10+10 for Life is: “Think Addition.”

That means add 10 fresh fruits (you can repeat fruits - like 2 apples, 3 bananas, 4 kiwis, etc.) and 10 different vegetables a day. Briefly, graze on fresh fruits all morning long. For lunch, fill up on a great big, green-leafy salad with 10 different vegetables, dressed by oil-free, dairy-free dressing (I use balsamic vinegar, lemon, and diced avocado) and followed by some raw, unsalted almonds.

For dinner, eat in order with the best-for-you foods first, starting with a large salad, then steamed veggies, and after that, a more filling vegetable, as in potatoes or yams. Try substituting for the filling vegetables whole grain (brown rice) or bean dishes, like black bean soup. Last, after the whole plant foods, eat your traditional favorites (if you must!), like meat, fish, or pasta.

The cutest comment I’ve gotten is, “If I eat all these fruits and vegetables, I’ll have no room for anything else.” Bingo! You gotta love it!

That’s precisely the point. If you really want to lose weight , fill up on the foods that give you the most nutrition for your calorie buck - fresh fruits and vegetables first and then whole grains and beans. Then eat other foods, if you must. And yes, it’s that simple if we can get our heads out of our way.

Rule #1: Think addition. Add and fill up on 10 fruits and 10 vegetables a day - your weight warriors and health heroes.

Rule # 2: Stop eating when your brain signals that you are full and satisfied.

I know - seems like a no-brainer. But somehow that flashing neon light “Enough. Stop Eating” is easily ignored when food is tasting so good.

Remember - this is not your last meal (hopefully). You can eat again when you’re hungry. There’ll be plenty more opportunities to please those demanding taste buds.

So do yourself a huge favor. Pay attention to your brain and stop eating when your brain says “stop.” That’ll be before your over-stuffed stomach begs for mercy.

And so what if food is left on your plate - leave it. If you can’t save it, remember that garbage disposals don’t gain weight - you do.

Okay. Go for it. Play with rule #1 and #2. Add those fresh fruits and veggies to your days and do what you’re told - stop eating when you’re full.

Interestingly enough, it’s sure hard to over eat the best-for-you foods. How many times have you eaten too much salad or fruit? My guess - never!

Look for Part 3 of this article and 10+10’s Rule #3. In the meantime, be patient and very kind to yourself. You’ll get there - one baby step at a time. If a baby can learn how to walk and then run, with lots of falls and bumps along the way, you can learn how to feed yourself with the ideal weight loss and body best foods. Just act like a baby - get up one more time than you fall.

“The only slip up is to give up.” ~ Dr. Leslie

by Dr. Leslie Van Romer

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is the author of “Getting Into Your Pants,” chiropractor, weight loss cheerleader, and feel-good-about-you motivational health speaker. For more inspiration visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com