A Little Spring Cleaning for Your Body

Spring is the time when people like to put a little extra effort into their housecleaning.  But what about your physical body?  Do you feel heavy or bloated?  Did you gain weight during the winter months?  Is your energy not quite up where you would like it to be?  Are you relying on coffee or sugar to keep you going throughout the day? 
 
Just as your living environment might need a little spring cleaning to clear out the junk and freshen things up, your body might need this as well.  With just a few small changes, you'll quickly notice a difference as you start to feel lighter, brighter, and more energetic.  

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Small Changes, Big Results
 
For some people, spring is the time when they feel motivated to do a complete overhaul of their eating habits – but the changes you make don't have to be that drastic.  Small changes can yield big results.  For instance, try replacing your afternoon muffin or snack with your favourite fruit instead.  You'll get the same energy boost, without the crash afterwards, plus you'll benefit from the added nutrients and fibre that fruit provides.  Or, if you tend to reach for multiple cups of coffee or soft drinks during the day, try having a glass of water with some lemon juice instead.  You'll feel refreshed and energized, you'll feel the cleansing effects, and your skin will benefit as well. 
 
 
Improve Your Health, Manage Your Weight

If you're feeling motivated to make more substantial changes to your diet, here are some steps that are especially beneficial when it comes to improving your health and managing your weight:

• replace fast food with more home-cooked meals
• if you typically have a generous portion of white rice or pasta with every meal, cut back a bit and bump up your vegetable intake instead
• eat fewer ultra-processed foods, i.e.:  packaged foods with a long list of ingredients
• cut down on all the extra condiments, sauces, and dressings that tend to be packed with unneeded sugar, salt, and calories
• for breakfast, replace white bread with whole grain bread, and replace sugary breakfast cereals with whole grain oats – the increased fibre will keep you feeling fuller for a longer period, so you won't need to reach for a mid-morning snack
  

Eat to Nourish Your Body
 
During the winter months when we're typically spending more time indoors, we often find ourselves eating out of habit or boredom.   This is often the case with evening or late-night eating.  You had a satisfying dinner, so you're not really hungry, but you go ahead and have your night-time snack as usual.   Or, you're watching TV, and before you know it, you've finished an entire bag of potato chips. 

To break out of this pattern, make a mental decision to eat to nourish your body.  Do you really need that evening snack, when you're still full after your dinner?  Will you feel good after eating that entire bag of potato chips in one sitting?  By taking the time to consciously think about what you're eating and what will truly make you feel your best, you set yourself up to make different choices since you're no longer just running on automatic.
 
A good spring cleaning of any kind takes some effort, whether it's for your home or your body.  But the end result is always worth it:  you feel better, it's easier to focus, and you're able to function more effectively. 

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