Fitness Friday

FORT MYERS, Fla. – When you think about spring the first things that come to mind are probably Spring Training baseball, Spring Break on the beach, or spring cleaning the house. But it’s also a great time to Spring-Clean your diet and set yourself up for weight loss success by ridding your kitchen of junk food, and replacing it with healthy alternatives. By tossing out the temptations and restocking the shelves with healthy and portion-controlled alternatives, you can trim hundreds of calories from your diet and inches from your waistline. Here today to with his tips on Spring Cleaning your Refrigerator is Wink News Fitness Expert Mike Drumm.

When it comes to weight loss, your KITCHEN is just as important as your Fitness Center. As the saying goes, “Abs are made in the kitchen” or like I always say, you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. If you are like most, your healthy snacks (Fruits and Vegetables) in the fridge and pantry are all tucked in the back or in drawers, basically out-of-sight and out-of-mind while the “fun stuff” (Chips, Cheeses) are in the front! Remember, the better prepared you are, the more successful you will be!

Put Some Prep In Your Step. Start getting into a weekly routine of preparing your food. Plan and prepare as many meals at once as you can so that you’ll eat healthy for the week ahead. I always recommend prepping food on Sundays and Wednesdays. The less cooking you have to do during your busy work week, the better. Remember that when it comes to succeeding with your nutrition plan, preparation is half the battle. So have a look at your current fridge situation. Are you in need of a clean out?

TIP: Prepare healthy foods in advance so you make it EASY to make the better food choice

Get Rid of Temptation! We tend to eat what’s available, and that usually means whatever is quick and easy. Meal prepping will help, but if the food is not kept in your home, often you won’t go out of your way to pick it up at the grocery store or convenience store nearby when the cravings hit. By emptying your fridge and pantry of all the junk food, you will not be as tempted to eat any high-calorie snacks.

TIP: Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, pre-portioned snacks, and other healthy choices.

Get Organized. A little organization goes a long way in helping with weight-loss goals. When all your food is crammed into the fridge, it makes healthy items less accessible, which means you’re less likely to reach for them. Being able to see food neatly arranged in your fridge will help you to eat more “good snacks”. Plastic Tupperware storage bins are clear and stackable, making it easy to see the healthy foods at your fingertips.

TIP: Create a snackcenter in your fridge so you have a go-to spot to find healthy snacks when hunger strikes. Place them in front at eye level, premade 150-calorie baggies of cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, pretzels, and other healthy favorites.

Precut Veggies. Veggies are low in calories and packed with fiber; when you eat them you feel full longer, keeping hunger at bay and preventing mindless snacking. You’re more likely to eat veggies if they’re ready!

TIP: After hitting the grocery store, immediately wash, cut, and store your carrots, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, and celery in reusable containers. Place the stack of precut veggies next to a tub of hummus.

CONCLUSION: Throw out the junk and replace it with healthier alternatives. By making these switches, you’ll be on your way to packing on more muscle, cleaning out your arteries, and getting the abs you train for in the gym every day.