Don't Derail Your Weight Loss: 4 Tips
 By Terry M. Blair

The start of a new year often means the start of a healthier lifestyle. More exercise, smarter food choices and weight loss usually top the list.

But even with steely will power, many people make mistakes that foil their best intentions.

Here are four tips to help you maintain your weight loss goals.

1. Choose a healthy way to lose weight—and keep it off
Many people turn to crash diets that promise to help you lose weight fast. What those diets don't say is that you'll pack the pounds back on once you go off the diet.

2. Watch those snacks
Snacks can work for you or against you.

If you nibble mindlessly, the calories can add up and sink your healthy eating program.

On the other hand, some snacks can help you stay on track. For example, snacks high in protein can rev up your metabolism and help control your hunger, both of which help you lose weight.

3. Drink more (or less)
Want to burn more calories each day? Have a glass of water.

Your metabolism will slow if you get dehydrated. And a slower metabolism means slower weight loss. The experts say to aim for eight or more glasses of water each day.

While drinking more water can help your weight loss, drinking other beverages might actually add inches to your waistline. Avoid these types of drinks:

• Soda and most fruit juice
• Alcoholic beverages
• Fancy flavored coffees

4. Remember your favorite foods
Your weight loss won't be successful if you experience food cravings. So don't avoid your favorite foods.

Instead, enjoy them in moderation. Buy smaller portions of sweets. Bring home only one delicious bread at a time. You might even try limiting yourself to just one serving of your favorite treat each week.

AFS Wants To Help
AFS wants you to succeed and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. To help, we've lined up a host of resources that you and your family can use.

Here are just a few. Be sure to explore many more at the AFS Health Benefit Center.

Careington Advantage Card Plan
For only $20 per month, this program gives you and your family:

• An average savings of 15 to 52 percent on medical services
• Savings of 25 percent on normal fees for chiropractic and alternative medicine
• Savings of up to 72 percent on diabetic testing supplies
• And much more

MEDPro
This convenient program provides prescription assistance services to individuals and families in need of relief from paying retail costs for medications.

Vision Discount Plan
AFS Members can now save up to 40 percent on all their eye care needs through the new vision discount plan.

Careington Discount Dental Plan
AFS Members can save 15 to 60 percent on virtually all dental procedures. And you have access to one of the largest dental networks with over 220,000 credentialed dental access points nationwide.



(Posted January 2012)

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