80 Percent Rule: The Fourth Habit for a Blue Zone Lifestyle: Health and Wellness Blog

Did you enjoy finding last week? I discovered that time outdoors does wonders for me! This week I want to focus on the third healthy habit from the Power 9™: move naturally, know your purpose, down shift, 80% rule, plant slant, wine at 5, family first, belong, right tribe.

According to Blue Zones Project, we should stop eating when our stomach feels 80 percent full. This 20 percent gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it.

We can also replace our big tableware with 10 inch plates and tall, skinny glasses, remove any TVs from the kitchen, and remember that people in the Blue Zones^® areas eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and then don't eat any more the rest of the day.

Did you just read a lot of areas for improvement like I did? I have noticed that I do better stopping at 80 percent if I plate my food and then sit at the table. Speaking of plates, I have also noticed that I eat less when I use the salad plates for my dinner. If you drink water like I do, I think we can keep the big glasses.

Now I get stuck in the Blue Zones recommendations: no TV in the kitchen, a small dinner, no eating after dinner. I have a TV close to the kitchen for entertainment while I cook, although I usually turn it off when we eat. If I made dinner smaller, I feel like I would want even more food later.

Any ideas how to make it from dinner to bedtime without food?

For your FREE consultation (in person, over the phone, via email), speaking and training needs, tips, or gift certificates, please contact Jessica Crouch: www.ChooseToImprove.com, Jessica@OrganizeAnywhere.com, 319-504-6689.

Remember, reaching a goal with help is better than not reaching it at all: creating healthier lives, empowering others to live their purpose and dreams.