Mayo Clinic Diet

Here is a photo of my lunch today. Mixed greens, red onion slices, cherry tomatoes, walnuts with 3 mini triangles of whole wheat bread seasoned with a teaspoon of my homemade vinaigrette and finally, topped with pesto marinated tuna chunks.Yum!

I confess that my progress is not so great these days and so I looked for a way to better improve myself. Enter Mayo Clinic.

I'm a huge fan of their website, especially whenever I have any questions about what current symptoms plaguing me might mean (if you remember I mentioned my inner hypochondriac in a previous post.) I also have a small collection of diet books lining my shelves but surprisingly none of it are Mayo Clinic published.

A little googling revealed rave reviews about their latest book, The Mayo Clinic Diet. A quick scan revealed useful tips that I'm currently incorporating in my diet:

ADD 5 HABITS

1. Eat a healthy breakfast — but not too much
   
2. Eat vegetables & fruits — atleast 3 or 4 servings daily
   
3. Eat whole grains — whole grain bread,...others
   
4. Eat healthy fats — olive oil, nuts
   
5. Move! Walk or exercise 30 minutes or more everyday
   

BREAK 5 HABITS

1. No TV while eating — & no more TV time than exercise time
   
2. No sugar — only what's found naturally in fruit
   
3. No snacks — except vegetables & fruits
   
4. Moderate meat & low-fat dairy — the size of a deck of cards
   
5. No eating at restaurants — unless the meal fits the habits list
   

ADD 5 BONUS HABITS

1. Keep food records — write down everything you eat
   
2. Keep activity records — type of activity, duration & intensity
   
3. Move more! Walk or exercise for 60 minutes or more everyday
   
4. Eat "real food" — mostly fresh, & healthy frozen or canned
   
5. Write your daily goals — what motivates you everyday
   

Now, the book calls this part 'Lose it!' and it's only supposed to be followed for 2 weeks at the beginning of the book's program (wherein they promise that this will jumpstart your weight goals with a 7-10 lbs. loss.) Being a list lover, this overview speaks straight to my OC heart.

I noticed that the habits mentioned above are similar to what belletoday already recommends. This just gives me another reason to offer it a big vote. I'd rather not deviate from what I'm already doing. There's always the fear I'd get sideblinded and rebound sometime in the future. *Cough*Binge*Cough*

I'm loving the little glow of pleasure I get each time I'm successful in accomplishing a habit day by day. It just further motivates me to do better. I think that sense of pleasure at a job well done is my motivator.

Anyway!

I'll be sure to do a follow up post on this and I'll think more about motivators for my next post. Hmmnn..guys, speaking of, what motivates you?