Tips for Women From Women: The Best Secret to Losing Weight? EAT!

"I was so busy today, I completely forgot to eat!"

How many of us, as women, have used that phrase or heard it uttered from our friends or coworkers? We lead busy lives and often time at work means intense focus and grueling deadlines, but ignoring the basic needs of your body is not going to make us more productive. 

Just the opposite, in fact.

I had a chance to interview Elizabeth Anderson recently and she gave me some valuable advice and insights on nutrition and diet. Elizabeth is not only Mrs. Utah USA, she is also a Certified Sports Nutritionist and owner of Elizabeth Anderson Fitness. As a businesswoman, and mother of 4, she leads an extremely busy life, and has been sharing her wisdom with other women who often find that they need to make a change in their eating habits, but just don't know where to begin.


We are sharing the results of our great chat here in our meal-by-meal guide to getting your eating habits under control and back on track - no matter how busy you are!
Breakfast:

• Because we begin the day on an empty stomach, our bodies are very affected by what we put in it during those early morning hours.


• Start with a piece of whole grain toast (or gluten free toast which is even better if you are trying to cut down on wheat based foods) and spread on some almond butter or organic peanut butter. This gives you carbohydrates that digest quickly in your body, but also fat and protein from the almond or peanut butter.


• Make up 6 or 12 hard boiled eggs and keep them in your fridge (and easy to take on with you in a baggie). A piece of toast with nut butter and an egg makes a breakfast with complete nutrition.


• Another great hint is a breakfast smoothie (we share Elizabeth's recipe at the end of this article!). It is portable and easy to drink either on the way to work or as you begin your workday.

Lunch:

• Our lunch should be a hearty meal in order to keep you satisfied during the long afternoon and fight off the 3pm 'drowse'.


• Something that's heavier with good carbohydrates and a protein is ideal. (Elizabeth recommends a stir fry with whole grain brown rice or a turkey sandwich with whole grain bread.) Stay away from anything that is really fatty or sugary as your body will want to crash by mid afternoon.


• You always want to have a protein with your lunch, particularly if you are having a salad or something considered 'lighter.' It will keep you feeling full longer.


• Recognize that afternoon binging on unhealthy foods is often due to not eating enough lunch. If you find yourself in this situation, adjust what you have for lunch the next day until you find the right meal to keep you satisfied.

Dinner

• After a hearty breakfast and lunch, you need a lighter meal for dinner because you're settling down to go to bed.


• Cut the carbohydrates out at night, because the energy they release during the night will stick on your body in the form of weight gain and can also keep you awake.


• Elizabeth recommends a light salad with chicken and a little bit of olive oil dressing, or some salmon with broccoli or other veggies.

Healthy snacks

• Healthy snacks are important to keep us energized and alert between meals.


• If you are eating good, healthy meals throughout the day, you will not be craving fruit and sugar for your snacks, and can make healthier choices.


• Some favourite snacks would be Lundberg brown rice cakes (available at Whole Foods) or Larabars, which are a preservative free fruit and nut bar.


• Rice cakes with nut butter make a satisfying snack, as well as dried or fresh fruit. The secret is not to over-indulge (she recommends about 10 almonds, or 5 dried apricots as an approximate serving size)


• Another trick which Elizabeth uses is to fill several plastic containers with a medley of vegetables and olives. The variety is appealing to the palate, and it is an easy snack to pair with hummus (or my favorite: low fat tzatziki)

Elizabeth Anderson's Green Smoothie

• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop whey protein which you buy in powder form [She recommends the Muscle Milk and Designer Whey brands, vanilla flavoured. If you have dairy sensitivity, use rice protein or pea protein like I do]
• 1 tbsp of coconut oil (this stuff is the good FAT that will let you digest and feel full)
• ¾ cup frozen fruits of your choice (berries, pineapples, mangoes, any other of the frozen bagged fruit is easy
• 1 handful spinach because it has tons of antioxidants
• ½ cup oatmeal, either instant or old fashioned because it balances the protein, carbohydrates, and fats

**Elizabeth maintains that our bodies love all of those things together and will digest the combination "well. This way the shake stays in your body longer with the oatmeal added plus you don't even taste it or know its there.

Creating a spectacular life does take some attention and energy. You can find more information by downloading The 2 Step Plan to Tipping The Scales to Love ( http://womenwhorunit.com/launch/2stepplan01.htm ) by Fiona Fine.

Fiona is the Editor-in-Chief of "Women Who Run It: Your Life - Your Love - Your Terms" where she provides premium dating and relationship tips, advice, secrets and resources.

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