Thursday 21 March 2013

O3. Replacements: How to Have Guilt-Free Pleasures

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Have you ever thought to yourself, if only I could eat delicious snacks without getting fat? If only I could study and have fun at the same time? If only I could watch TV without being a couch potato?

Well, maybe you can. Try the following replacements so you can have your cake and eat it too. If only I could read this blog without seeing silly cliches like that ... Sorry.



O5. Delicious snacks without guilt

Try ice cubes! Basically, get some fruit that you enjoy eating (e.g. mangoes, grapes, strawberries, raspberries etc.) and blend them each separately in a blender. Then pour the blended fruit invoice cube moulds and put them in the freezer. Once they're frozen, take them out and eat them like little frozen ice lollies! You can also try this with just plain ice cubes (then you can tell your friends that you drink solid water,because, you know, liquid water is too mainstream). Mmmm... Delicious and nutritious.


O4. Study + fun = possible

Try flash cards - write down the question on one side and the answer on the other. Make sure the flash cards are colourful and super peppy looking so you are keen to study. Personalise it. Then test yourself. May the cards be ever in your favour.

Try funny associations - it's a fact that we remember facts better if we associate them with something funny or interesting. For example, learning German vocab? To remember dog (der Hund), try to picture a dog standing on its hind legs, then substitute 'i' in hind for 'u' and you get Hund. Or chemistry, trying to learn the properties of the Noble gases? Think of the gases as 'noble' like Mr Darcy, who is not attracted to anyone and repels people (at first, obviously he falls in love with Lizzy later), so the Noble gases are not attracted chemically to anything and thus do not  generally form compounds (think couple, if we continue to use the pride and prejudice analogy). This is especially fun to do with a group of friends in a study group. Soon you'll be laughing (and learning) like there's no tomorrow and developing the most intelligent inside jokes.



O3. Watch TV without being a couch potato?

Don't just turn on the TV and watch aimlessnessly, rather choose a TV program beforehand and only watch that program. For example, don't just grab the remote and hope that there will e something good on TV, rather look up the TV guide and pick one program to watch (google is your friend). Then turn on the TV when the program starts and turn it off when it finishes. This way, you get optimal reward (fab. TV show) with minimum wastage.

While watching TV, don't just sit on the couch. Try to do some light stretching to improve your flexibility (e.g calves stretches, quads, lunges etc.). If you have a cycling bike machine or a treadmill, go on the lowest setting. This way, you can still enjoy the TV program, but will still do something productive.


O2. Energy without caffeine?

Lots of people need their morning coffee to feel normal, but have you ever considered alternatives? Sports drinks (NOT energy drinks) like Powerade and Gatorade contain way water, carbohydrates (which replace glycogen energy stores) and electrolytes (which helps rehydration) - and no caffeine (Powerade and Gatorade don't). Or even better, a ice water will REALLY wake you up and keep you hydrated. WIN-WIN.


O1. Chocolate

Yeah, we all love chocolate. Not gonna lie. It's amazing. But did you know that you can substitute chocolate with ... Chocolate? That's right! Did you know that dark chocolate is good for you? Dark chocolate contains anti-oxidants, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, stimulates endorphin production which produces feelings of pleasure, and contains serotonin which is an anti-depressant. But obviously, no matter how good it is for you, moderation is key. Not too much chocolate, okay?

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