Fit & Fab | Michelyn

HEY!!! I asked you guys to send in questions for the Fit & Fab issue and I received an overwhelming response for the first feature. Yay!!! So let's open the mail.....

Q: I have been doing very well losing weight but I just can't shake these last few pounds particularly in the waist. Do you have any diet tips or exercise tips?

A: If you are trying to figure out how to loose those last few pounds or that fat around the waist, a low sodium diet may help you achieve your goal. What does too much sodium do to your body? Too much sodium can cause cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, weight gain, and water retention. According to Heart failure Society of America the average person should not eat more than 2,300 mg of salt per day but many people consume up to 5000mg. According to Astronutrition.com, salt not only contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease, but it is not good for promoting a lean body image. “The more salt that you consume the more water is retained by the body. The excess sodium is deposited and stored under the skin, which causes a layer of water that looks like fat. Consuming less salt and drinking more water will ensure your body looks lean as possible” (Are You Eating Too Much Salt, 2008)

To make sure you are not exceeding the recommended daily sodium intake do the following:

- Reduce processed food consumption (i.e., fast food, canned foods, and snacks)
- Use Mrs. Dash for seasoning your foods
- Reduce table salt intake
- Always check sodium on the nutrition facts label before purchasing food
- Buy more fresh foods (i.e., meats, vegetables, fruits)

The following are a few foods to stay away from when trying to lower your sodium intake:

- Ribs
- Salty potato chips
- Pizza
- Macaroni and cheese
- Frozen dinners