Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jorgelito
Actually, frozen vegetables/fruit are just as good if not better than fresh (they are frozen fresh and keep that way).
Diet is not enough. Regular exercise is an essential component for weight loss.
|
Yes, but fresh fruits and vegetables make easy and filling snacks. The trick is to just prepare them how you want them once you get them home from the store. I buy broccoli crowns, carrots, and cucumbers and cut them up and put them in small containers in my fridge to snack on when I feel the need. Plus, I usually keep sliced mushrooms on hand and fresh tomatoes so I can make a really awesome salad really quickly, or stuff a pita with veggies and lean turkey breast to make a quick healthy sandwich (mm hummus).
We usually go to the farmer's market--I can spend about $20 there and get all of the fresh vegetables we need for the week, plus it's all organic and locally grown. Then, when I get home, I spend about half an hour washing and cutting vegetables/fruit. Buying what's in season means cheaper/fresher vegetables/fruit. Also, we buy some of our fruits and vegetables at Costco (some salad mixes, avocados, potatoes, and onions) so that we always have some things on hand, especially those we use larger quantities of.
The key to eating healthier is to only buy healthy foods--if you don't buy junk food, you don't eat it.
Frozen foods are great for convenience, and yes, they are healthy if you shop wisely. We always keep some Lean Cuisines, veggie burgers, and veggie sausage patties in our freezer, as well as frozen vegetable mix for curries and stir-fry. But there are a lot of unhealthy frozen options out there--it's best to stick to basics, and beware of anything with a creamy sauce or added sodium.
And jorgelito, you are also right that exercise is essential. It doesn't have to be any particular kind, or any kind of plan at first--just GET MOVING. That's it. Walk. Bike. Park farther away than you normally would. Take the stairs. Whatever--just MOVE. Then, once you figure out some of the things you like to do, like bike, or do yoga, or exercise in a gym--you can figure out a plan to get you in the habit of doing those things in your life. But I think the most important habit to establish first is simply one of more movement--walking more often, especially.