Published: May 11, 2008 03:08 am         

Proper diet key to weight loss, healthy lifestyle

Swimsuit is the most popular competition in the Miss Texas Pageant. It accounts for 15 percent of a contestant’s total score, and it is the most dreaded portion of competition for the ladies competing.

I was blessed enough to have a preliminary swimsuit win going into this year’s competition and hope not only to defend my swimsuit title, but to win overall swimsuit Miss Texas 2008.

This area of competition is my largest struggle. It requires consistency and motivation all year. I am a big fan of sweets and I have a passion for carbohydrates. I have to battle everyday to live a healthy lifestyle.

I owe my good health to pageantry because I constantly have to worry about my weight and size. To most this way of living seems undesirable, but I promise that the struggle is worth the reward.

Since it is now May and swimsuit season is upon us. Looking good and feeling great are the key to a great summer. I have learned diet and exercise tips from the best trainer around.

Dr. Larkin Page has been my nutrition and exercise specialist for the past three years. He is now a professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and they are blessed to have him. He took me from swimsuit struggler to swimsuit winner.

He has taught me several things that have changes my life. A healthy diet is the key to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. By eating every three hours, you are more likely to lose weight and have a full belly at the same time.

The trick is to not overeat. Eating small meals with snacks in between puts your mind at ease and boosts your metabolism. The most effective way to diet correctly is to plan ahead. Dieting is not fun or easy, but to get the best results try to plan meals and snacks ahead of time. If food is already prepared there is no reason to run through McDonalds or Chicken Express.

The second component to weight loss is exercise. A good cardio workout is the best way to drop unwanted weight fast. Whether power walking on a trail or running on the treadmill, cardio is a must.

Weight training is also very important to shape the muscles the way we want them. Lots of protein and weight lifting will sculpt those muscles to perfect. When cardio is combine with weight training that yields the best result.

There is not a quick fix to living a healthy lifestyle. It takes hard work and dedication, but it results in a more flattering body, higher self-esteem and better quality of life. How we treat our bodies now determines how well our bodies work for us later.



Bates is Miss Hunt County 2008