Watch the Clock!

Hi Everyone - now that we've settled into Daylight Savings Time, it's time to train our bodies to eat on a schedule.   The latest research shows that our bodies control the "craving hormone" the best if we wait 12 hours from the last bite at night to the first bite the next morning.  I think we would all agree that we get into trouble when we sneak those extra calories late at night - or even in the middle of the night - and wonder why we aren't losing any weight.

See below the April "challenge" calendar for you to consider.  

Since many of us work out at night and get up early, it isn't realistic for all of us to not eat for 12 hours every day.  But - none of us works out seven days each week.  Therefore, each of us needs to set our own goals.  We each need to set the clock, set our schedule, and then stick to it.  For example, Rick works out Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings.  So his time from last meal to first meal on those three days is 10 hours (8:30 PM to 6:30 AM).  On Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it's realistic for him to go 12 hours from last meal to first meal.  

Using his calendar, his April challenge is 13 days at 10 hours and 17 days at 12 hours, or a total of 331 potential points ((13 x 10) + (17 x 12)).  The key question is, "Will he be disciplined about not eating after his last meal and before breakfast; and will he achieve 331 points?"

It takes preplanning and prethinking on your part to figure the total points/hours you can earn next month.  This will be a great discussion at the end the month to see what we learned, and to see if the 12 hour goal is something that will help us succeed with our fitness goals.  Let me know your results!  Lynette