I am working to reinvent myself, not just change careers and move to a new home, but make sure that I am the best version of me that I can be. Yesterday I sought advice on diet and exercise from a terrific friend who has to stay in top physical condition because he is a pilot and has a lovely young bride. He takes pride in his fitness for good health.

Dave's tips were helpful and his words motivating. I thought I would share a sampling with you.

The best addage for eating is: Eat a little, a lot. Meaning, have 5
small meals a day versus 3 meals. Every 3 hrs, snack on something
small. When you eat a little, a lot, your body doesn't have to dive
into the fat stores when you start running out of energy. Now, that
may sound like a good thing, but the problem is the body is going into
starvation mode so any extra calories you eat during a meal go back to
replenish the fat cells. When you eat a little, a lot, the body will
let the fat slough off because its getting all it needs by your
constant replenishment of nourishment.

2 12-minute exercises are just as good as 1 20-minute exercise.

You have to combine aerobic and anaerobic workouts...i.e. alternate.
When you perform an aerobic workout, you stop burning calories above
and beyond the norm the moment you stop exercising. When you lift
weights, your body continues using calories at a higher than normal
rate because the body is working to replenish and rebuild the muscle
fiber all day long

Hope this helps a bit. There's really a lot of simple things you can
do. The best nutritional advice is: don't eat processed foods. If
it's in a box, skip it.

If you exercise, watch your diet and eat right 6 days of the week, on
the 7th day treat yourself to whatever you want (Body For Life advice
from the book)...it gives you the motivation to eat right for 6 days.

Don't keep weighing yourself...when your body starts toning, you
actually look worse. Simply get in the rhythm of better eating and
exercise. I may need to print this warning and post it on my scale and refrig and mirror!

I hope you might find some of Dave's tips helpful. I wish each reader much success in being the best version of YOU that you can be. Have fun today and smile. I guarantee that will do wonders for your health and overall outlook.