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I don’t know about you but I don’t like to diet. Several in our family needed to shed a few pounds and get in better condition so my daughters signed us up for “Slim Down Sandy.” The name tells it all.

Our city promotes slimming down and living a better lifestyle. Over 400 people signed up this year. I guess we all had some of the same problems. To help encourage us in our goal of slimming down, those who lost at least 10 pounds received awards, information and our names were placed into drawings and we all won prizes.

For ten weeks we received an email from the city. We got the Exercise Tip of the Week and the Nutrition Tip of the Week. We were invited to walk in the park with everyone.

Here are some of the Nutrition Tips we received in our “Slim Down Sandy” weekly email:

Don’t give in When you Eat Out or are on the Go

It’s important to watch portion sizes and make smart food decisions wherever you are.

* At the grocery store, plan ahead by buying nutrient rich foods for meals and snacks

* For lunch, have a sandwich on whole-grain bread and drink water, a low-fat milk, or other drinks without added sugars

* In a restaurant, opt for steamed, grilled, or broiled dishes instead of fried or sautéed foods.

* On a long trip or outing, pack sliced fruits, vegetables, string cheese, or unsalted nuts to help you avoid impulsive snacking on unhealthy foods

Eat at Least 5 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables a Day

Fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial fibers, vitamins and antioxidants. They fill up your stomach fast so you feel full earlier. They are also low in calories and help to keep your calorie count low. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, in a variety of colors will take advantage of the entire range of vitamins and antioxidants available.

Avoid Sodas

Soda contains many calories, sugar and other unnatural ingredients. Even diet sodas, which contain little or no calories, still have many unnatural