TOPS News for July 18, 2013

At the July 18 meeting of Imperial TOPS NE0267, Barb read two short articles: “Mindful Eating,” by Dr. Anthony Komaroff, and “Elastic Is Not Our Friend,” by The FlyLady, Marla Cilley. When you eat mindfully, you eat more slowly and thoughtfully, noticing the color, smell, and texture of your food. You’re also more likely to determine if you’re really hungry and recognize when you’re getting full.

Here are suggestions from Dr. Komaroff about how to get started eating mindfully:

1. Start gradually. Eat one meal a day or week in a slower, more attentive manner.
2. Set your kitchen timer for 20 minutes. Take that time to eat a normal-sized meal.
3. Try eating with your non-dominant hand. If you’re a righty, hold your fork in your left hand.
4. Use chopsticks if you don’t normally use them.
5. Eat silently for five minutes. Think about what it took to produce that meal, from the sun’s rays to the farmer to the grocer to the cook.
6. Take small bites and chew well.

The Flylady suggests that when you wear pants with elastic or drawstring waistbands, you’re just camouflaging what she calls “body clutter.” It’s better to wear clothes that let you know when you've put on a few pounds. Another suggestion? Do what you tell your kids to do when they’re too sedentary: “Go out and play!”

The Flylady’s suggestions for getting rid of body clutter:

1. Don’t wear clothes with elastic or drawstrings. 
2. Weigh every day! This tells you how your body reacted to what you did yesterday! 
3. Never crash diet! 
4. Eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks. Eat something good for you every two hours. 
5. Babystep your way out of drinking sugar or diet sodas. Replace with water. 
6. Do 15 minutes of loving movement each day! 
7. Drink 8 glasses of water. This is so simple and it is the best beauty treatment you can do! 
8. GET RID OF YOUR FAT CLOTHES!

The Yes-Yes for the coming week is to eat slowly, putting down your utensil in between bites. The No-No is cake. Judy was the best loser for the week.

Cheryl’s program next week is on Functional Fitness. Karen Welch will give the program on August 8.

TOPS Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Imperial Community Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 8:30. For more information about TOPS, phone Cheryl at 883-0265 or go to www.tops.org. The first meeting is free.