Many folks are looking for a diet plan that will provide weight loss quickly, easily, and painlessly. But, because each of us is unique and our genetic makeup varies from person to person, no single diet will be effective for all of us. While the concept is the same (less caloric intake equals weight loss), their means to the end must be different. Lifestyle habits, exercise habits and mental attitude will also impact the ability of the body to lose weight.
No matter what plan you choose, however, there are several tips that will help you to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Remember that the goal is permanent weight loss and a trimmer, fitter you. If you incorporate changes into your life slowly and easily you’ll find more success. Make sure that the change is permanent before you move on to add another change to your lifestyle.
1. Get get rid of the junk food in your home and your diet. These are the snacks which are loaded with fats, sugars and carbohydrates. Ex: Potato chips, ice cream, cookies, and processed foods. Replace these items with snacks that are more healthy choices. You may not be happy with this tip, but it will work!
2. Change your eating habits to include more fruits and vegetables. Processed foods may seem more convenient at first. But honestly, reaching for a banana off of the shelf or apple out of the fridge is just as convenient. And, fruits and vegetables have more of the essential vitamins and minerals than the cooked versions. Your body needs these nutrients and the fiber to function properly.
3. Eliminate carbonated beverages and alcohol from your diet. The amount of soda consumed each year is increasing – along with the waistline of consumers. What was once an 8-oz drink is now a 48-oz Big Gulp. The sugars and carbohydrates in these drinks will add many pounds, and when they are removed from your diet you will see an easy weight loss!
4. Add water to your diet. This helps improve the condition of your skin. It helps eliminate wastes and toxins from your body. Drinking water also helps you to feel full longer. Drink at least 8-10 8-oz glasses each day. That might seem like a lot at first but it is the amount that your body needs to work optimally.
5. Eat breakfast! People skip breakfast for many reasons. They claim too busy, aren’t hungry, or they think it will help them lose weight. However, skipping breakfast will actually increase your hunger and your cravings throughout the entire day. Then, when your resistance is low, you will snack on that donut at the office. There are other more scientific reasons why skipping breakfast doesn’t help, such as set point theory. But that’s the topic of another editorial.
These weight loss tips can be used with most, if not all, weight loss plans and programs.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is real weight loss comes from eating fewer calories than you burn each day. No matter how you choose to accomplish that goal, the equation is the same. Use these tips to get you started down the right road!
Editor’s note: Long-term weight loss and everlasting health is more than knowing what to eat and what not to eat. It’s also about physical activity. Include exercise to help burn calories and give you more energy throughout the day. A simply 30-minute walk will do wonders for both your weight loss goals and your health.
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