Sometimes losing weight is not easy. This can be for a variety of reasons, but one reason in particular is that you can’t figure out a system that works for you. Getting a system and rhythm in place is the best thing for your weight loss goals and here are a few tips that might help.
A great way to accelerate weight loss is to add interval training to your exercise regimen. Varying your usual workouts to include sessions comprised of short bursts of intense activity interspersed with longer periods of rest can produce impressive results. An additional benefit of interval training is that it promotes greater fat loss in a shorter period of time than traditional steady-state cardiovascular exercise.
A quick way to lose weight is to spend just fifteen minutes a day exercising. Exercise is any activity that elevates your heart rate, so even taking a brisk fifteen minute walk counts. Combine this with a once a week intense workout and you will be able to lose weight easily.
Avoid all fried foods! All fried foods contain calories derived from the oil in which they were made. This adds needless calories to your diet along with no extra nutrients. French fries, for example, contain more calories from the oil they were made in than the potatoes they actually are.
For some people, at some times, a low-carb diet may really be the answer, at least in the beginning. The reason low-carb diets work is that your body normally uses carbs as a first fuel. When you give your body no carbs (the “induction” phase of most low-carb diets), your body needs to use something for fuel, and so turns to burning your own fat. These diets have proven very successful for many people, but should be undertaken with care as people do need some carbs in their diet. Most low-carb diets nowadays move from an induction phase into a much healthier maintenance phase, where “smart carbs” (high-fiber, lower-calorie choices) are reintroduced.
Be proud when you are losing weight! Do not sucker yourself into buying the tiny bikini you wish you could wear or a new outfit that will take a massive amount of weight loss to fit your body. Instead, celebrate minor weight loss goals by getting a manicure or a massage. The reward can be anything that is about you and your well- being rather than getting wrapped up in fitting into smaller clothing. When you do reach a goal and drop to size you are happy with, go ahead and buy that new outfit!
Make sure that your children are getting proper sleep if they need to lose weight. A child’s body grows during sleep, which leads to burning calories. Eight hours is the essential number for sleep during the night. Encourage your kids to cooperate at bedtime.
Keep your doctor informed if you start taking weight loss supplements. Your doctor may advise against certain supplements because of your personal health issues. He or she may also want to monitor certain blood levels and other health tests just to make sure that you are staying healthy while losing weight.
A surprising part of a weight-loss plan is sleep. If you are trying to lose pounds, be sure you are getting enough sleep (ideally, 8 hours a night). Studies have shown that people who chronically sleep less than they should have higher levels of hormones that increase hunger.
Meat, especially red meat, is high in calories and fat. If you want to make the amount of meat you eat go further, buy a hammer-type meat tenderizer and pound your meat thin before cooking. That way, a smaller piece of meat can stand in for a much larger one, but to your eye, it will take up the same amount of space on your plate.
Working for someone else instead of only yourself is a great way for you to stay motivated and on the right path to success. Just think about your husband/wife or your kids. And if you don’t have a spouse or any kids, remember that you might not ever have them unless you lose the weight and change your life around.
Some people need an extra little kick to get them on a good weight loss plan. Right now, there is a show on television called The Biggest Loser. It is about overweight people who are trying to lose weight. If you are struggling, watch the show for inspiration and you may also learn some new tricks.
Whenever you get that gnawing craving for a certain food, grab your phone and call a friend and chat for a bit. Redirecting your mind to something else will help keep you from giving in to that food that your mind is stuck on. Research has revealed that cravings generally last for about 5 minutes. By the time you have hung up from having that chat, your desire to gorge yourself with junk should have passed.
As an overweight person, you might not feel like going to the beach due to embarrassment, but you should go anyway. Why would you bother going to the beach just to leave your clothes on and hide in the back? It’s all about motivation. See the bodies that you’re aspiring to for a swift kick in the rear end.
A lot of weight-loss tips you run across stress the importance of water in a healthy diet, but they never seem to speak about the benefits in any detail. Water not only keeps your body hydrated and allows body fat to be metabolized quicker, but it can also force your body’s thermogenic process into action, causing you to burn fat at a faster pace.
Use these tips to create your own personalized weight loss plan. Follow the tips, and then tweak them a bit to make it more convenient for you. Losing weight gets easier as you go.