Did You Lose Weight While You Were Sick? Here's How to Keep It Off

:goodhousekeeping.com

2012/06/29

946

That stomach flu had you running to the bathroom for three days. Now you're running for the scale to see how much weight you've lost. Even if you stayed well hydrated, you may find that you did drop a significant number of pounds. But is the weight loss permanent? Probably not -- unless you use the opportunity to start eating better and exercising more. Since you're off to such a good start, why not try it?

Make these three changes and you'll be on your way to a healthier you:

Get a pedometer. Your ultimate goal is to take 10,000 steps per day, but aim to take 2,000 steps at first, then gradually increase the number. How? Walk over to your colleague's cube to deliver an envelope instead of using interoffice mail. At home, don't let things pile up on the stairs so you can "make one trip." Instead, go up and down several times.
Stick to a 1,500-calorie-a-day meal plan that gives you plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Cut at least one high-calorie habit from your daily routine. Replace a creamy coffee drink with a nonfat latte or nix a regular soda and have a fruit juice with seltzer water instead.