by Suzanne Bertrand

Created on: January 04, 2010   Last Updated: August 07, 2010

The health benefits of staying thin include decreased likelihood of diabetes, heart disease, and other long term medical problems. Staying thin has been suggested for increasing healthful longevity. Maintaining weight can be a challenge, but turning emphasis toward personal health might help make success easier. Setting out with a plan to stay thin will make a dream turn into reality. These successful strategies are used by trainers and personal coaches to make staying thin manageable.

 *Healthy eating

Determining personal habits can provide an array of tricks to easily maintain weight. Start by making a few small changes toward the endeavor. Make small changes overtime especially if maintaining current weight is the ultimate goal. Pick and choose which strategies will work the best. Dropping one carbohydrate a day can make a difference sometimes. Another strategy might include preparing the home by ridding the pantry of unhealthy foods. Remove all foods that have empty calories. Keep refrigerator stocked with plenty of healthy snacks that are easy to reach. Cleaning and storing fruits and vegetables in containers in the refrigerator will keep these items visible and easy to grab. Including protein, vegetables, and fruit in each meal will help to ward off hunger. Then carbohydrates should make up approximately 25% of a meal. Carbohydrates that are rich in whole grains will help to replenish the body. These are the nutrients that will maintain nutrition and decrease the need for frequent snacks.

*Increase activity

Staying active throughout the day will slowly make activity into a lifestyle. If exercise is a new venture then talk with a physician beforehand. Activity is versatile and should fit personality, lifestyle and interests. Finding activities that are ultimately enjoyed will make them easy to incorporate into any routine. Rollerblading, tennis, soccer, weight training and skiing might be passions that will increase activity level too. Walking can be a great way to start developing activity into your routine. Think about which activities are enjoyed the most and then make plans to fit it into the schedule. When life gets busy, find creative ways to sneak in activity. Take the stairs whenever possible, march while watching television or do a power clean around the house. Plan to do a fundraiser walk, run or climb. The training motivation will benefit more than one good cause.

*Best snacking

Snacking does not have to ruin your efforts to stay thin.

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