Take a New Route to Work and Lose Weight
By Sandy Schroeder
If you are like most of us, you spend a whole lot of time in your car, driving the same streets day after day, and that's where the trouble starts. As the streets become familiar, we soon know every fast food stop along the way, and most urban streets are lined with fast food restaurants.
If your car turns automatically when you reach your favorite drive-thru franchise, it may be time to take some drastic steps. Subtracting part or all of those stops could make a big difference in your weight.
Research Says It's True
Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen talked about the problem recently, noting new research in New Orleans found the more fast-food restaurants on a driving route, the more likely the driver may be overweight.
I probably discovered this fact some time ago, and frequently shed a few pounds when I picked a new route home, but then, inevitably, I would go back to my original route and my familiar fast food habits. Almost 40 percent of American adults are obese and their cars may be contributing to the problem.
Take a good look at the streets that you drive every day. See how many drive-by restaurants there are, and then think about how many times you turn in to your favorites on your way to work or home.
Quick burrito breakfasts on the way to work, and burgers and fries on the way home, can add a lot of calories and defeat any diet plan. Stop-offs for takeout counts too if you are loading up on tacos or pizza.
Fight Back With Fresh Alternatives
One way to solve the problem is to put a large cooler in your car, along with a basket of apples and other low calorie snacks. Keep the cooler stocked with waters and low-sugar teas and refill the basket with fresh fruit, nuts and low-fat cheeses every day.
It may take a while, but gradually you may find that fast food urge subsiding, and your weight dropping as you sail right past temptation. Over time, most people find their tastes change, and fast food then may taste too fatty, salty or filling. If all else fails, you can pick a new route to and from work.
It also helps to have a healthy breakfast before you leave home in the morning, and a satisfying fruit and nuts snack in the afternoon.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pearland, Tex.