Our bodies let us know when we need something in very SIMILAR ways, and they can be SO SIMILAR, that it can be hard to decipher the message.
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Feeling HUNGRY is a good example of these often received "mixed signals" from our body.
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This feeling can be our bodies' way of telling us we need:
-Food
-Water
-Entertainment (boredom)
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But, HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE?
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HUNGER vs. BOREDOM
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Want to know if you're TRULY in need of food?
Use "The Apple Test".
The Apple Test is simply this:
If you are hungry, you'll eat an apple. If you turn down the apple, then you're not truly hungry, you could be bored.
When you're truly hungry, you'll eat the apple. When you're BORED, you will go for junky type items such as potato chips, candy, cookies etc.
If you get the "hungry" feeling as soon as you sit down to watch your favorite TV show, ask yourself "Would i eat an apple?" If the answer is no, grab some water instead!
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Society has created the psychological association between T.V. or Movie Watching and snacking as customary, or HABIT.
Look at the movie theater, for example. After you purchase your ticket, you walk in the door and the FIRST thing you see is the Snack Bar.
When you were younger, it was probably a pretty big deal when your parents or grandparents took you to the movies and bought you a big tub of popcorn and soda. Now as an adult, you may find yourself repeating the same habits of having something to snack on as you watch a movie or T.V.
Did you just experience the epiphany?
Yep..it's all tied to lifestyle habits!
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HUNGER vs. THIRST
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This one is a little tougher for most people to figure out.
Hunger pangs and dehydration have similar feelings. Your stomach growls and you get that feeling in your tummy that says HEY, I NEED SOMETHING!
But, which one IS IT?
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If you are STARVING first thing when you open your eyes each day, you are probably DEHYDRATED.
Try drinking 8oz to 16oz of water upon waking and waiting 20 minutes BEFORE eating breakfast to see if that helps.
While you sleep, your body is repairing itself, but you are also without food or water for an average of 6 to 8 consecutive hours. This is a long time to go without water.
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FEELING THAT "3PM SLOW DOWN" OR UNSATISFIED AFTER A MEAL?
You can try drinking water if you are feeling TIRED around 3pm or feel STARVING 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating a meal. This means your blood sugar is rising either from what you had to eat during your last meal, lack of water intake, or BOTH.
Before you grab the energy drink or snack bar, TRY WATER FIRST!
Have a sweet or carb craving? DRINK WATER FIRST.
DEHYDRATION from lack of water consumption can cause your blood sugar levels to be constantly high, creating the hungry or tired feeling all the time, AND potentially prevent your body from burning fat.
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WATER GOALS
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You should aim to consume at least HALF YOUR BODY WEIGHT in ounces of water per day.
For example, a 150lb. woman should consume 75 ounces of water each day JUST to properly hydrate her body and flush out her vital organs.
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You should add 32 ounces of water for every 30 minutes to 1 hour of strenuous activity.
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Breaking your bad habits and learning better ones is the key to a SUCCESSFUL healthy lifestyle.
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Make SMALL sustainable changes every day!
- Coach Heather
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