Is It Time to Eat?

Your past is important because it brought you to where you are, but as important as your past is, it is not nearly as important as the way you see your future.

Dr. Tony Campolo

Is It Time to Eat?

Eating regularly tames wild cravings.

By eating smaller meals on a regular schedule, you'll help your body work comfortably on fewer calories, and stay in an energy–burning (i.e., fat-burning) mode. This will help you feel more energetic, and keep your blood sugar stable, which will reduce carb cravings before your next meal.
Now let's say you need even more help controlling your cravings for the wrong stuff. What do you do?

Start your day with the right stuff.

Chances are you don't eat in your sleep. So when you wake up, your cells are ready to absorb essential nutrients, and in particular protein.
Starting your day with eggs, nonfat cottage cheese, a healthy protein shake (isolate absorbs quickly) can help you get a healthy serving of the protein and nutrients you need.
A good rule of thumb for the timing of this meal is within an hour of waking up. If that's not possible, have a meal or snack as early as possible to get your metabolism revving.
So what about the rest of your day?

Lift weights, then lift plates.

Another smart time to eat is about 30 to 45 minutes after a workout. At this time, the enzymes responsible for energy production are in high gear and the energy-storing hormones within our blood are suppressed.
This means less energy will be stored as fat. Carbs will be immediately taken up to replenish the low glycogen stores caused by exercising. Protein will be used for the recovery and growth of new calorie-burning muscle tissue. And the best news is, your body will burn most of the nutrients from the meal to fuel these reactions. That's why eating after a workout is a good idea.
Having protein (casein absorbs slowly) late in the evening, for perhaps your last meal or snack, will also provide your body with the protein it will use overnight to revitalize your muscle and antibodies.
Of course, remember portion size. If you're not sure how much that might be, use the palm of your hand as a guideline.
Like most things in life, timing is everything. So when you're trying to drop pounds, don't just think about what you eat—think about when.
Next “mervmail” I will be discussing my breakfast as an example of a healthy start!
The key to release, rest, and inner freedom is not the elimination of all external difficulties. It is letting go of our pattern of reactions to those difficulties.

Hugh Prather