You may wondering why I believe my cat can teach you how to lose weight and keep it off. My cat, Mr. Chi is about sixteen years old. Like most us, when we age we put on weight. Well Mr. Chi had put on quite a bit of weight, and on a small animal it really shows. Our extra large dog, Karma, had found Mr. Chi’s food on our bathroom floor, so I had to move Mr. Chi’s food from the floor up to the counter. I realized that before I moved the food, my cat was snacking all day long because the food was easily accessible, so even if he wasn’t hungy Mr. Chi would eat. Now that he has to jump up on the counter to get it, he won’t eat unless he needs too. I’m proud to say Mr. Chi is the perfect weight and has put on a little muscle too.
I realized that just like animals, we humans have a tendency to snack if food is readily available. Be sure to put high calorie foods up on high shelves so you only reach for them if you have a strong craving. Place the healthy items on easily accessible shelves. Before you reach for a snack, ask yourself if you’re really hungry, or are you eating just because it’s there? Most importantly remember to follow my cat’s example and you too will lose weight and keep it off. -Sara Holliday MFT, CPT, HHP