Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

Healthy Changes for Healthy Weight

By Chris Jensen, January 11, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Chris Jensen
Need help developing healthier habits? Good health—and healthy weight—are about smart decision-making. Listen in and learn about success tools for creating health through optimal nutrition in this encore presentation of our podcast interview with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, board-certified family physician, author, and co-founder and chief medical officer of Eat Right America. Let us know what steps you are taking toward healthy changes this year for a chance to win an Eat Right America bundle featuring some of their best-selling books, DVDs and assorted other special gifts: a $97 value! Simply enter a comment below by January 31st and one lucky reader will be selected at random.

The motivating reasons Dr. Fuhrman’s patients make healthy weight a priority: •Learning about the successes of others losing weight and reversing chronic disease, when all other diet methods have previously failed, triggers the desire to recommit to health. •Discovering the science, logic and theory behind high-nutrient eating to remove addictive overeating provides the drive to get started. The two biggest obstacles that stand in the way of motivation and determination to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight: •Misinformation about food and nutrition indoctrinated at an early age. •Allowing feelings and emotions to govern decision-making and food addictions to control behavior. The top habits to adopt when trying to maintain a healthy weight: •Focus on long-term health and not on immediate weight loss. •Eat enough food volume with high-nutrient foods to remove the desire to overeat. •Educate with the right information from the start. Everyone can take steps toward being healthier with this knowledge: •Our health is our greatest wealth. •We can’t escape the biological laws of cause and effect. We must recognize that we can’t buy good health; we have to earn it with healthy eating and physical fitness. •Good nutrition is not optional; it’s essential. Putting nutritional science into action allows us to take control of our health destiny.

 

250 Comments

Comments

Rebecca Ward says ...
I've given up added sugar & alcohol for the month of January in an effort to jump start weight loss. I'd like to loose about 15 pounds for my 30th Birthday in April. I'm also loading my diet with fresh seasonal fruits & veggies while eating less meats & dairy.
01/11/2011 7:29:21 AM CST
Holly Parker says ...
We are tring for all organics. Thank goodness for Whole Foods. What an amazing place to get healthy.
01/11/2011 7:38:05 AM CST
Susan King says ...
In May of 2010 I started on my journey to 'truthful eating' and it began with a trip to Whole Foods. I had been in Whole Foods a few times before and found an appreciation for the people and their passion for eating well and sharing their knowledge of it. Not knowing much about eating organically grown foods, I began to ask questions and got answers to many questions that had been stirred up. I now understand about food and know better than ever what makes my body happy and healthy. One of the many benefits to learning and understanding food is that I have shed 30 pounds that my body didn't need. I have never felt so good in my entire life...all because I wanted to know the truth about food. Thank you Whole Foods for offering this opportunity to experience what real food is all about!
01/11/2011 9:27:39 AM CST
Mikki says ...
According to the 'scales' and my Wii Fit, I have the right BMI but could loose a pound or two. What I need to focus on is loosing the 'sweet' tooth that leads me to the wrong choices. I'm working on having more fruit and higher nutritious food in the house so I'm not snacking and choosing sweets as much as I do. Great podcast!
01/11/2011 9:43:00 AM CST
Kathy Watson says ...
The best advice I have is to avoid processed food. Cook at home using healthy whole foods. Variety from all food groups. Avoid excess sugar. Avoid over eating. Make it a change that you can live with forever.
01/11/2011 10:31:57 AM CST
Fredric Heise says ...
Nine months ago I was a 62-year-old blubbery tired old guy, but because of a toxic reaction to something in the air of the building I was working in, I had difficulty swallowing solid food. Instead, I got myself a juice extractor and began juicing up fruits and vegetables that I bought at Whole Foods. That, along with spoonfuls of local honey in my coffee, acai berry juice blends, and protein powder drinks (all purchased at Whole Foods) not only saved my life but let me lose 80 pounds and feel more vibrant and healthy than I ever have in my life! I feel like my body has been renovated, and that my body has been "youthing" instead of aging these last few months.
01/11/2011 10:34:16 AM CST
anna says ...
I am letting go of processed food and trying to cook all my food from scratch. I also don't eat any animal products at all. Go vegan!
01/11/2011 11:06:04 AM CST
Becky says ...
I've cleaned out the pantry, fridge and freezer and I'm getting ready to restock with natural, whole foods. I follow many health and fitness blogs and have been collecting recipes. My plan is to try out a new healthy recipe once a week. Finally I will share my progress with all my facebook friends as well as blog about my journey.
01/11/2011 11:25:12 AM CST
SusieBeeOnMaui (Eat Little, Eat Big) says ...
Portion control; trying new whole grains; adapting usual recipes for lower calories and increased nutritional bang. I changed up my normal soy milk/greek yogurt shakes, using coconut water and flax instead: http://eatlittleeatbig.blogspot.com/2011/01/recipe-for-pineapple-blueberry-smoothie.html
01/11/2011 12:46:50 PM CST
Danielle says ...
My husband and I have decided that instead of making a new year’s resolution to lose weight, we wanted to make a lifestyle change. We picked up the book called “CLEANSE” by Junger, and have truly been amazed and have had our eyes opened to the contents of the food we have been eating up to this point. I would love to be able to make the transition to eating whole and organic foods to better our lives and the life of our daughter. This would be a great opportunity to jump start this lifestyle change!
01/11/2011 2:45:59 PM CST
Katie says ...
Im trying Vegetarianism for 2011 as part of my effort to lose over 100 lbs
01/11/2011 3:26:17 PM CST
Dee Marie says ...
I'm employing 2 techniques this year. I'm practicing portion control and measuring out all my food. By doing this and logging what I eat, I found that it is possible that even the the "right" foods can stall your weight loss efforts or even make you gain - IF you are eating too much of them. I'm also looking at everything I eat and asking myself if I can make a better choice. I find that by taking this approach I don't resent making healthy substitutions or cutting back and am finding creative ways to trim some calories to allow a guilt free treat now and then.
01/11/2011 4:33:08 PM CST
Cindy says ...
I'm trying to eat more fruits, vegetables, and eating less meat, by trying to eat other sources of protein, such as beans.
01/11/2011 5:11:10 PM CST
mike says ...
eating more fruits & veggies daily for the first time ever
01/11/2011 5:25:33 PM CST
Susan Bernat says ...
This submission is for my brother, who has a food addiction and whose health is suffering as a consequence. My brother loves to cook for his family, but he does not know how to control his compulsion to eat oily, salty, sugary, and starchy foods. As a result he is substantially overweight; and the added weight has perhaps caused him to suffer from sleep apnea. Moreover, he and his wife have 2 children, an adolescent girl and a pre-adolescent boy, neither of whom has been taught how to keep a healthy diet. This family could benefit immensely from proper nutritional education.
01/11/2011 5:48:48 PM CST
Nicol says ...
I am teaching my 3 young sons how to choose and prepare healthy foods. We are committed as a family to make 2011 our healthiest year yet by being more aware of our overall health and fitness incorporating whole and natural foods, minimizing prepackaged and frozen foods, and restaurant foods.
01/11/2011 5:58:59 PM CST
Daizy Neri says ...
I am currently training to run the LA marrathon so i have been doing a little more physical work. I have been eating a little bit better but still i know that with some help and education I will be able to continue a healhty life style. I currently have stopped eating Red meat and Poultry and have been other sources of protein. This is one of the most significant changes that I have made in my life. Thank You.
01/11/2011 6:59:20 PM CST
jd smith says ...
I care about my health and the health of my family. I read and look at new food items through books, magazines, grocery stores and health food stores all year. I am always open minded and thinking of new options for the coming year. I have found a way to improve yearly...every January I open the pantry, I look at every thing I use and have done well with and I remove the items that are just taking up space and slowing me down. My goal is to add several items that will add flavor, boost the nutrition and keep me moving in a timely manner. This is exciting to me...I am now scanning the stores for those few new additions that will bring flair to last years favorites...after all it is January!
01/11/2011 7:22:07 PM CST
Darnetta says ...
Eating more fruits and veggies. Plus more exercise!
01/11/2011 7:44:59 PM CST
Dee says ...
I find that I do best with my weight and eating healthfully by planning ahead. That way I buy with intention, cook the food and then can eat without scrounging around, which inevitably leads to eating a lot more junk.
01/11/2011 9:48:09 PM CST
Sandra Viviano says ...
Eat more plant foods and avoid eating foods processed in plants. And, a tip to Whole Foods Market....BUILD a location closer to the Macomb Township area! We WANT to shop at WF more often, but the drive is just too far with gas topping $3 a gallon. With the new mall, Partridge Creek, in our area, and ALL the other chain stores we have, we are only missing a Whole Foods Market...let's bring it! :D
01/12/2011 8:25:31 AM CST
LaRuth says ...
I decided to cut sugar out of my diet and eat more whole foods, fruits and vegetables. The kicker is I did this starting Decemeber 7, 2010 and I ate absolutely no sweets during the Christmas Holiday. As of today I have lost 21 pounds! I was so amazed and my friends were also. They asked "how did you lost weight during the holidays when all of us gained?" I am so excited about 2011 and improving my over all health. Thank you Whole Foods assisting us to improve our health.
01/12/2011 11:57:33 AM CST
Kirsten says ...
Being present when I eat...not just mindlessly putting food into my mouth. Think about the meal, where the food has ocme from, what benefit my body and mind are getting from what I am eating.
01/12/2011 12:29:41 PM CST
Rebecca says ...
I'm trying to eat more lean protein, more fresh vegetables, and more fruit. I really appreciated getting the ANDI list at my last Whole Foods visit and plan to refer to it often.
01/12/2011 12:59:00 PM CST
D. says ...
I'm exercising on a regular basis and eating less meat.
01/12/2011 1:12:47 PM CST

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