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Thursday, July 30, 2020

3 Principles to Eat More and Still Lose Weight


Trying to lose weight and going on a diet can become a nightmare for some people. And for others, it might be a normal healthy routine for them. But if you're the first type where dieting is not your cup of tea and love eating too much, then read on.
With so much information out there about how to lose weight fast or how to develop healthy eating habits, it's probably also a challenge to decide on what works best for you since you're bombarded with hundreds and thousands of information from a single search on google.
As a society we all grew up thinking that the way to lose weight fast and most efficiently is to drastically reduce our daily calorie intake, which most of the time just meant eating less food.
But we now realize that we can actually lose weight by eating more, if done in a well manner. Here are the 3 principles to eating more and still losing weight:

EAT FATS

Beginners often feel a bit anxious when they hear that fats should be consumed to stay healthy and lose weight. The fact is there are healthy fats and bad fats. The macronutrients in good (healthy) fats will help kick away your hunger signals, making you feel full quicker. Regularly eating healthy fats can also impact blood insulin levels positively as well as reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. And that should not be ignored, because type 2 diabetes affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and accounts for 90-95% of all adults who had diagnosed cases of diabetes, says a study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Besides the fats found in processed fats however, all other fats should be just fine for a healthy lifestyle.

Some examples of healthy fats include:
  • Avocado
  • Coconut oil
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Cheese
  • Dark chocolate
  • Nuts
  • Fatty fish
  • Whole eggs
  • Extra virgin olive oil

EAT PROTEIN AND FIBER IN EVERY MEAL

Metabolism gets boosted by consumption of protein, helping you to feel full longer and avoid from bingeing. Fiber is a crucial nutrient that aids in losing weight as it reduces the absorption of sugar in the blood, helping you utilize the carbohydrates (glucose) for energy rather than storing it all as fat.

Berries, chia pudding, cheddar cheese, spinach, and eggs are some of the commonly known sources of protein and fibre. You can also eat salad, chicken, and zucchini noodles.

SET MEAL TIMINGS

Stable blood sugar level is the key to lose weight. To maintain this, do not keep a long gap between two meals. Doing so will end up resulting in a spike in your blood sugar levels, making you overeat. A commonly recommended approach is to eat every 4 hours (because your body transitions into starvation mode around that time) in order to keep your blood sugar levels in check. In addition, it helps to avoid hunger and a bad mood. Also, a study suggested that a schedule for eating helps in reducing body fat accumulation.
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7 Weight Loss Tricks You Can Start Doing Today


Losing weight can be a very difficult task to overcome especially for those who are highly motivated. In addition, as a person ages the more difficult it gets to maintain an appropriate weight.
One thing many people wonder is if there are any ways to "reverse engineer" life moments (just my fancy way of saying tricks) to help with weight loss.
Here are 9 weight loss tricks you can start using today:

PAY ATTENTION TO PORTION SIZES

Studies have shown that eating food off smaller sized plates lead to eating less.
For example, studies were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting where they focused on food and eating habits of participants. They found that many participants had no clue of the changes in the portions offered and how it affected the amount they had eaten (1).
This leads to overeating! Don't overeat!

Unfortunately overeating happens more often than we think. So to solve that problem, pay real close attention to your bowls and dishes. Or better yet, ask for a smaller portions if you're trying to to lose weight. Save leftovers in a to-go box. If you've been constantly on the lookout for weight loss tricks, mark that down!

DON'T GET DISTRACTED

The study also explains that the more people get distracted (eating out for example), the more they become unaware of the portion sizes handed to them. People who were served 50% more pasta ended up eating 43% more than those with normal portions. Yikes!

RESTRICT YOUR ELECTRONICS

An average American adult spends approximately 5 hours a day watching television. Now, it's safe to assume that the time could be spent planning meals for the rest of the week or getting more exercise throughout their day!
If you're one of them (Don't worry, I won't tell anyone) here are a couple of ways to make use of those extra hours:
  • Yoga: Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress, and improving your mental and physical well-being. It also helps with weight loss and you can do it practically anywhere inside your home.
  • Dancing
  • Collect bugs
  • Wash or walk the dog
  • Wash the car
  • Water your garden
  • Write an autobiography or a short story
  • Meditation
  • Read a newspaper
  • Browse the internet
  • Make a weight loss smoothie

EAT MORE FRUIT

Many people often associate fruit with sugar--specifically the health conscious eaters. While it is a source of natural sugar, some fruits are rich in fiber and will work wonders for kickstarting your metabolism.
Here are some examples of fruits with plenty of fiber content:
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Flaxseeds
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelons

GO TO BED EARLIER

It's commonly known that the longer your body stays up the more time your hunger signals will kick in, signaling that it's time to eat again--leading into a snacking trap. Curb your cravings by going to bed before those evil cravings get the chance to cry over more food!

You can set the alarm clock at an earlier time instead and enjoy the remaining left over time for some exercise, meditation or meal prepping.

PRACTICE THE 20-MINUTE RULE

Basically any time you eat make sure to give yourself the right portion sizes. Once you finish one portion and are craving for more, put yourself on timeout for at least 20 minutes to see if you're still feeling hungry.
Why 20 minutes?
It takes our bodies around 20 minutes to recognize that we're physically full. And if your stomach still isn't happy, feel free to help yourself to more food. This little trick actually works quite effectively.

SLEEP IN COLDER TEMPERATURE

As humans, our bodies can react in interesting ways to temperature changes. The warmer the temperature is, the less energy/calories your body needs to keep you warm.
What does this mean?
When our bodies are in the thermoneutral zone, this is where our body does not have to regulate our body temperature, so we feel less inclined to eat because we already feel relaxed and the need for satisfaction is less likely to be strongly desired.
However, when our bodies are above or below this zone, we increase the amount of energy we spend, which "decreases energy stores", such as fat (2).
Posted by at No comments:

4 Ways to Manipulate Your Hormones To Help You Lose Weight



When it comes to losing weight there are many factors that affect your progress. Your brain is actually one of the biggest obstacles that stop you from achieving the weight loss results you want.
And it doesn't stop there. Even household chemicals can play a major role in weight gain.
Even to diligent eaters a slice of cheesecake can be irresistible. What bugs us humans is why we sometimes give in to temptation even though we know we have our better judgments.
Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNIH) have found a possible explanation: The second we see delicious food, a hormone in our bodies called ghrelin starts to send irresistable signals to the brain telling us to just eat that cake, now.

This is one of many found results in research destined to find out the causes of being overweight. “We’re closer to recognizing just how complicated obesity is,” explains Arya Sharma, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Alberta.

He also added that the good news is a matter of what causes us to gain weight and hold on to it, the faster we can find a cure for obesity, or simply a solution to just dropping those extra 10 pounds.
For now, weight-loss treatments (typically calorie reduction and exercise) must be maintained forever.
Either way, here’s a good list of what should be kept in mind for weight loss:

CONSIDER RETHINKING ABOUT LOW-CALORIE FOODS

The MNIH researchers studying the gut hormone ghrelin (using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) found that it increases the neural response—therefore, appetite in regions of the brain appetite in regions of the brain responsible for "programming" the feeling of reward in the values of food. “In other words, when we see food we like, we are exceedingly compelled to eat it,” says Alain Dagher, a neurologist at MNIH. “Unfortunately, our brains are likely wired to value high-calorie foods, which is important if food is scarce or difficult to obtain,” he explains.

Here's a tip: Increase the appeal of low-calorie foods by thinking about them more positively. Rethinking about almonds is a sure good way to start.

TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR THYROID AGAIN

According to a study in the March 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine, any decreases to the functioning of the thyroid is associated with weight gain. When this gland in the neck does not secrete enough hormones, it can result in lower metabolic rates (symptoms include fatigue and weight gain).

However, Caroline Fox, MD, an endocrinologist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, says her research group was surprised to discover that women whose serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were relatively high, but still within the normal range used by doctors to diagnose thyroid conditions, gained up to four pounds over three and a half years compared to women whose TSH did not increase.
“If a patient feels she has gained excess weight or has trouble losing weight despite adherence to a healthy lifestyle, she should talk to her physician,” says Fox, who adds that this research is too preliminary to consider tinkering with the current range for medical diagnosis.

AVOID BISPHENOL A AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

Research shows that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) at an early stage in life can increase the risk of certain cancers; bisphenol A (BPA) may be one of these chemicals. Now a team at Tufts University has discovered yet another reason to avoid prenatal or perinatal exposure to BPA: It may cause weight gain later in life.
Retha Newbold of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says the findings in animals may also be true for humans. “When a fetus or baby is exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, the body’s set point the balance between energy in, as calories, and energy burned is irreversibly altered,” she explains.
Of course, EDC exposure is not the only risk factor for obesity—diet and exercise are major players—nor does exposure early in life guarantee weight troubles later. “But it does help explain why some people have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off than others,” Newbold adds. For now, she recommends avoiding EDCs where possible, including phthalates (found in some cosmetics and cleaning products) and BPA. That means opting for fresh foods over canned (many of which have a lining that contains BPA), avoiding polycarbonate water bottles and not heating foods in plastic containers.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE PERFECT BOTTOM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS BELLY FAT

According to research published in the journal Cell Metabolism, subcutaneous fat, which is found around the hips and bottom, may actually provide some protection against type 2 diabetes. “Subcutaneous fat appears to make a substance that is secreted into the blood and improves insulin sensitivity and metabolism,” says C. Ronald Kahn, MD, a researcher from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

When it comes to belly fat, University of Western Ontario professor Kaiping Yang reported a startling discovery. The kind of fat cells found in the abdomen produce a hormone—neuropeptide Y—that acts as an appetite stimulant. (Appetite was formerly thought to originate only in the brain). Worse, the hormone stimulates further fat cell production. This research, published in The FASEB Journal, suggests that women who tend to carry weight around their middle may find it harder to lose overall body fat.
And it’s tough to spot-reduce belly fat with exercise, say certified fitness consultant Scott Tousignant. The best approach to slim down all over is combined aerobic and resistance exercise. “When resistance exercises are done properly, they should elevate your heart rate,” he says.






Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

10 Ways To Lose Weight After The Holidays


Independence day is coming up, and we're all excited to celebrate the holidays. But if you've been pondering about how to lose weight fast then the holidays might just turn out to be a bad thing for you, as it becomes easy to overeat during the holidays.
If you follow these 10 simple ways to lose weight you will make it much less of a problem for you after the holidays:

DRINK WATER

Drinking water to lose weight is one of the easiest things you can do to support your weight loss efforts. Studies have shown that drinking water raises your metabolism, and improves your fat burning rate (1, 2)

People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like snacking, strive for water first. Drinking also helps you feel full. Some experts suggest sipping water (or iced tea) just before you sit down to a meal. Continue drinking as you eat to add volume and weight to your meal. You will receive more weight loss benefits intermittently drinking water as you eat.

SET REALISTIC GOALS

One or two pounds a week maximum is the magic number. Top weight-loss programs advocate stopping after the first 10 pounds and maintaining that loss for about six months before trying to lose any more.

Creating strong, measurable goals with aligned objectives and strategies can significantly increase your chances of success (8), so if you're on a weight loss diet and trying to watch over your calorie intake or planning to stay at a right momentum for your exercise routines after the holidays, you should set realistic goals.

EAT IN SPLURGES

If you allow yourself to eat whatever you want for 2 meals out of every 21, you won’t inflict enough damage to subvert your weight loss. And you’ll feel less deprived.

THINK POSITIVELY

Positive thoughts are empowering. A negative attitude can set processes in motion that makes losing weight difficult, if not impossible. Ever heard of thinking about the world with the glass half empty? Try the other way around, with thinking about it with the glass half full. Beating yourself up every time you eat the wrong foods, constantly focusing on what you cannot eat and approaching your exercise regimen with dread are all ways that negative thought patterns can reduce your weight loss efforts.

Experts note that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Train yourself to focus on your best points rather than your weak spots. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you at your current weight. Update your hairstyle and get a makeup consultation so you feel attractive today.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

And besides, recent findings published in the International Journal for Obesity, School of Health Sciences researchers showed in a randomised controlled trial, that taking a two-week break during dieting may improve weight loss.

RELAX

Some people binge when they’re stressed. A Yale University study found that women who secreted the most cortisol (a hormone released during stress) ate the most high-fat food after stress. The combination of cortisol and insulin prompts the body to store fat in preparation for possible starvation—just what you don’t need. If stress has a stronghold on your life, try learning yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises.

TRICK YOUR HORMONES

Studies suggest that the average craving lasts only about 10 minutes. So before giving in to your urges, set your mental timer for a 10-minute time-out. Use the time to tackle an item on your to-do list; choose one that will give you a sense of accomplishment—and get you out of the kitchen.

MAKE WEEKLY RESOLUTIONS

Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. If you make too many changes at once, chances are you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel. Instead, make one change, such as eating at least one piece of fruit daily, every week.

START WITH 10% OF YOUR LONG TERM WEIGHT LOSS GOAL

People who start by focusing on achieving just 10% of their long-range weight-loss goal may have the best chance of ultimate success. Losing those first pounds yields the biggest health gains, too, since belly fat is usually the first to come off and is the most dangerous.

DON’T JUST EAT—DINE

Eating on the run or in front of the tube invites mindless munching. Instead, set the table every time you eat. Make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on your best china helps focus your attention so you don’t eat the whole bag.


Posted by at No comments:

4 Ways to Manipulate Your Hormones To Help You Lose Weight


When it comes to losing weight there are many factors that affect your progress. Your brain is actually one of the biggest obstacles that stop you from achieving the weight loss results you want.
And it doesn't stop there. Even household chemicals can play a major role in weight gain.
Even to diligent eaters a slice of cheesecake can be irresistible. What bugs us humans is why we sometimes give in to temptation even though we know we have our better judgments.
Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNIH) have found a possible explanation: The second we see delicious food, a hormone in our bodies called ghrelin starts to send irresistable signals to the brain telling us to just eat that cake, now.

This is one of many found results in research destined to find out the causes of being overweight. “We’re closer to recognizing just how complicated obesity is,” explains Arya Sharma, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Alberta.

He also added that the good news is a matter of what causes us to gain weight and hold on to it, the faster we can find a cure for obesity, or simply a solution to just dropping those extra 10 pounds.
For now, weight-loss treatments (typically calorie reduction and exercise) must be maintained forever.
Either way, here’s a good list of what should be kept in mind for weight loss:

CONSIDER RETHINKING ABOUT LOW-CALORIE FOODS

The MNIH researchers studying the gut hormone ghrelin (using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) found that it increases the neural response—therefore, appetite in regions of the brain appetite in regions of the brain responsible for "programming" the feeling of reward in the values of food. “In other words, when we see food we like, we are exceedingly compelled to eat it,” says Alain Dagher, a neurologist at MNIH. “Unfortunately, our brains are likely wired to value high-calorie foods, which is important if food is scarce or difficult to obtain,” he explains.

Here's a tip: Increase the appeal of low-calorie foods by thinking about them more positively. Rethinking about almonds is a sure good way to start.

TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR THYROID AGAIN

According to a study in the March 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine, any decreases to the functioning of the thyroid is associated with weight gain. When this gland in the neck does not secrete enough hormones, it can result in lower metabolic rates (symptoms include fatigue and weight gain).

However, Caroline Fox, MD, an endocrinologist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, says her research group was surprised to discover that women whose serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were relatively high, but still within the normal range used by doctors to diagnose thyroid conditions, gained up to four pounds over three and a half years compared to women whose TSH did not increase.
“If a patient feels she has gained excess weight or has trouble losing weight despite adherence to a healthy lifestyle, she should talk to her physician,” says Fox, who adds that this research is too preliminary to consider tinkering with the current range for medical diagnosis.

AVOID BISPHENOL A AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

Research shows that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) at an early stage in life can increase the risk of certain cancers; bisphenol A (BPA) may be one of these chemicals. Now a team at Tufts University has discovered yet another reason to avoid prenatal or perinatal exposure to BPA: It may cause weight gain later in life.
Retha Newbold of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says the findings in animals may also be true for humans. “When a fetus or baby is exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, the body’s set point the balance between energy in, as calories, and energy burned is irreversibly altered,” she explains.
Of course, EDC exposure is not the only risk factor for obesity—diet and exercise are major players—nor does exposure early in life guarantee weight troubles later. “But it does help explain why some people have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off than others,” Newbold adds. For now, she recommends avoiding EDCs where possible, including phthalates (found in some cosmetics and cleaning products) and BPA. That means opting for fresh foods over canned (many of which have a lining that contains BPA), avoiding polycarbonate water bottles and not heating foods in plastic containers.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE PERFECT BOTTOM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS BELLY FAT

According to research published in the journal Cell Metabolism, subcutaneous fat, which is found around the hips and bottom, may actually provide some protection against type 2 diabetes. “Subcutaneous fat appears to make a substance that is secreted into the blood and improves insulin sensitivity and metabolism,” says C. Ronald Kahn, MD, a researcher from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

When it comes to belly fat, University of Western Ontario professor Kaiping Yang reported a startling discovery. The kind of fat cells found in the abdomen produce a hormone—neuropeptide Y—that acts as an appetite stimulant. (Appetite was formerly thought to originate only in the brain). Worse, the hormone stimulates further fat cell production. This research, published in The FASEB Journal, suggests that women who tend to carry weight around their middle may find it harder to lose overall body fat.
And it’s tough to spot-reduce belly fat with exercise, say certified fitness consultant Scott Tousignant. The best approach to slim down all over is combined aerobic and resistance exercise. “When resistance exercises are done properly, they should elevate your heart rate,” he says.






Posted by at No comments:

7 Easy Strategies for Rapid Weight Loss


You know the drill when it comes to losing weight: take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But thats just the general idea or the "lazy" answer. There are many factors that affect your progress to losing weight including ways that involve the mind such as mindful eating. By practicing different variations to produce rapid weight loss efforts you will yield better results in your journey.
The weight loss tips in this article are easy, sustainable ways to boost your metabolism, giving you a greater edge to getting a flatter stomach and achieving the thinner you. You'll find no incredibly insane sweaty workout routines on this list, no lemon juice-cayenne concoctions, just simple strategies that you can adopt and stick to for maximum results:

FIND A NEW FAVORITE SNACK

"Instead of ice cream or leftovers, try a whole-grain, higher-fiber cereal with low-fat milk or baked chips with super spicy salsa," says Kristin McGee, a New York City-based trainer and Pilates instructor. Be very careful not to introduce weight gain.

DRINK MORE WATER

Your body has a hard time distinguishing between hunger and thirst. Being dehydrated can fool you into reaching for a snack you don't really need. And besides, many studies and research have made this clear enough: Staying hydrated is one of the healthiest habits you can adopt.
Drinking water throughout the day, especially before a meal fills up your stomach, keeps you energized and slows down the urge to snack. 

DECIDE ON MEALS WITH MINT

Reach for natural mint gum (avoid sorbitol, which makes you bloat), or even brush your teeth with mint-flavored toothpaste. The mint flavors send signals to your brain that it's time to stop eating, which is great for how to lose weight.
They also tweak your taste buds so second helpings and dessert aren't quite so tasty.

DO PUSHUPS EVERY MORNING

"It'll help you start the day with a feeling of success, and it gets in some additional upper-body training," says McGee. Another added benefit is that push ups can be done literally anywhere. If you were looking for ideas about how to lose weight at home, this is the quickest way to start.
If you aren't exercising regularly I highly recommend you to start. It provides several health benefits including preventing osteoporosis, lowering blood pressure, reducing chronic pain, battling chromic fatigue syndrome, the list goes on.

Try to increase the number you do each and every day so that you can still lose weight fast, even if you need to start with a modified push up on your knees. When you hit a plateau, switch to a harder style of pushup.


REDISCOVER HOT SAUCE

Hot sauce provides the warming benefits of eating slower and lesser than usual. Some studies say you might even speed up your metabolism thanks to the compounds in the chilies.
One common misconception is that spicer ones provide more benefits than the less spicier ones. Mild peppers (including bell peppers, pimentos and sweet banana peppers) have the same compounds as their spicier relatives.
Hot sauce also contain capsaicin, which help to introduce endorphins, which are crucial to maintaining a healthy mood (1).

PICK UP YOGA

Yoga is the top choice to reduce your stress, but in actuality, any exercise that is able to help reduce stress will do the trick. "The lower your stress, the lower your cortisol levels," says Fred DeVito of Exhale Spa. That means your body will store fewer calories as fat.

DESIGNATE AN EATING AREA

Stop mindless munching in front of the TV. Not only do certain shows up your odds of overeating—action movies and cooking shows—but you're also less aware of internal satiety cues, which is why it's so easy to polish off the whole chip bag before realizing how much you ate.
Eat at the dining room table or in the kitchen only, says McGee, and you're much less likely to overeat or grab seconds. 
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

7 Weight Loss Tricks You Can Start Doing Today



Losing weight can be a very difficult task to overcome especially for those who are highly motivated. In addition, as a person ages the more difficult it gets to maintain an appropriate weight.
One thing many people wonder is if there are any ways to "reverse engineer" life moments (just my fancy way of saying tricks) to help with weight loss.
Here are 9 weight loss tricks you can start using today:

PAY ATTENTION TO PORTION SIZES

Studies have shown that eating food off smaller sized plates lead to eating less.
For example, studies were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting where they focused on food and eating habits of participants. They found that many participants had no clue of the changes in the portions offered and how it affected the amount they had eaten (1).
This leads to overeating! Don't overeat!

Unfortunately overeating happens more often than we think. So to solve that problem, pay real close attention to your bowls and dishes. Or better yet, ask for a smaller portions if you're trying to to lose weight. Save leftovers in a to-go box. If you've been constantly on the lookout for weight loss tricks, mark that down!

DON'T GET DISTRACTED

The study also explains that the more people get distracted (eating out for example), the more they become unaware of the portion sizes handed to them. People who were served 50% more pasta ended up eating 43% more than those with normal portions. Yikes!

RESTRICT YOUR ELECTRONICS

An average American adult spends approximately 5 hours a day watching television. Now, it's safe to assume that the time could be spent planning meals for the rest of the week or getting more exercise throughout their day!
If you're one of them (Don't worry, I won't tell anyone) here are a couple of ways to make use of those extra hours:
  • Yoga: Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress, and improving your mental and physical well-being. It also helps with weight loss and you can do it practically anywhere inside your home.
  • Dancing
  • Collect bugs
  • Wash or walk the dog
  • Wash the car
  • Water your garden
  • Write an autobiography or a short story
  • Meditation
  • Read a newspaper
  • Browse the internet
  • Make a weight loss smoothie

EAT MORE FRUIT

Many people often associate fruit with sugar--specifically the health conscious eaters. While it is a source of natural sugar, some fruits are rich in fiber and will work wonders for kickstarting your metabolism.
Here are some examples of fruits with plenty of fiber content:
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Flaxseeds
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelons

GO TO BED EARLIER

It's commonly known that the longer your body stays up the more time your hunger signals will kick in, signaling that it's time to eat again--leading into a snacking trap. Curb your cravings by going to bed before those evil cravings get the chance to cry over more food!

You can set the alarm clock at an earlier time instead and enjoy the remaining left over time for some exercise, meditation or meal prepping.

PRACTICE THE 20-MINUTE RULE

Basically any time you eat make sure to give yourself the right portion sizes. Once you finish one portion and are craving for more, put yourself on timeout for at least 20 minutes to see if you're still feeling hungry.
Why 20 minutes?
It takes our bodies around 20 minutes to recognize that we're physically full. And if your stomach still isn't happy, feel free to help yourself to more food. This little trick actually works quite effectively.

SLEEP IN COLDER TEMPERATURE

As humans, our bodies can react in interesting ways to temperature changes. The warmer the temperature is, the less energy/calories your body needs to keep you warm.
What does this mean?
When our bodies are in the thermoneutral zone, this is where our body does not have to regulate our body temperature, so we feel less inclined to eat because we already feel relaxed and the need for satisfaction is less likely to be strongly desired.
However, when our bodies are above or below this zone, we increase the amount of energy we spend, which "decreases energy stores", such as fat (2).
Posted by at No comments:

8 Ways to Purge Belly Fat in a Single Day


You've most likely been seeing information left and right about the dangers of belly fat and realizing how there's hundreds of thousands of posts out there that encourage the diminishment of belly fat around your stomach area. Well, the majority of these information are right and backed by science. You should try as hard as you can to diminish the belly fat around your waist area, as it is linked to health risks. No one wants to live with the ugly sight of belly fat showing anyways. You probably don't want to either.
A couple of years ago, research from Mayo Clinic revealed that being normal weight with excess belly fat is even riskier than just being obese.
This study involved a representative sample of the US population of more than 12,000 subjects, ages 18 or older. Making use of surveys, additional facts were acquired including weight, height, hip and waist measurements, lab tests, illnesses, and socioeconomic status. That data was matched to the National Death Index about 14 years later, and people with cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not included in the analysis.
They then found that the subjects with a normal body mass index (BMI) who had a high waist-to-hip ratio (apple shaped) were more likely to die from any cause, even compared to people who are obese. In addition, this group was almost three times more likely to die from heart disease and 2x as likely to die from any causes compared with those with a healthy waist-to-hip ratio and normal BMI levels.

Now that you're (possibly) shaking in fear, here are 8 ways to help you diminish that belly fat within 24 hours:

Burn belly fat with regular workout sessions

Make sure you get your daily workout sessions clocked in! Regular exercise is one of the best ways to be successful in fast weight loss efforts and weight maintenance. And since there's no correct answer as to whether the ideal workout is resistance training or aerobic, your best option is to do a little bit of both. Resistance training is especially important for people over 30, who will otherwise begin to lose bone density.

 Contrary to popular belief, abdominal crunches are not going to melt away belly fat, though they will help build muscle that could help define the area. And since muscle mass has a higher resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure than fat, it could help you trim down.

Burn belly fat by incorporating more fiber into your diet

It's a great idea to incorporate more fiber into your diet plan (especially soluble fiber found in legumes, chia seeds, oats, fruits and vegetables). These can help reduce the accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. Fiber is infused with water, filling up the volumne of your stomach contents and giving you a a feeling of fullness. It also reduces the absorption of fat from food by binding with bile acids (required for digesting dietary fats).

Fiber can also bind with sugars and other carbs, reducing or delaying their absorption into the bloodstream.

Burn belly fat by cutting out alcohol

It’s called a beer belly for a reason! Alcohol consumption has long been associated with abdominal obesity and can easily derail your fat-loss efforts. Alcohol is not only high in calories, but it’s the body’s preferred fuel, so when you drink it, the other macronutrients in your food will be sent into storage (aka your belly, or possibly your thighs or butt).

 Alcohol is also notorious for lowering your self-control and inhibitions, so you can easily end up eating and drinking too much.

Burn belly fat by getting adequate sleep

When you understand how lack of sleep contributes to obesity, you’ll realize how important it is to get good sleep every night. Sleep regulates endocrine function, maintaining the right balance between the hunger hormone ghrelin and the satiety hormone leptin.
Sleep deprivation increases appetite, insulin resistance, and the stress hormone cortisol, all of which contribute to fat accumulation in the body. Make sure that you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Burn belly fat by cutting out sugar

If you're regularly eating sugar, especially refined sugars such as the sugars added to sweetened food and beverages, you should probably cut down as they are the leading cause to an excess of visceral fat.

 The fructose and glucose that come out of sugar are simple carbohydrates (commonly referred as carbs) that get absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and metabolized to release energy. When there's an excess intake, they get converted to glycogen to then be stored in fat tissue.
Consuming plenty of sugar also contributes to a spike in your blood sugar, which drives insulin to be released in large amounts, potentially leading to insulin resistance (which is actually associated with metabolic syndrome).

If you begin to cut out all sweetened foods and drinks (including fruit juices), you will greatly reduce the chances of potentially developing more belly fat. So if you wanted to lose belly fat fast , it's a good idea to start with this habit. As a healthier substitute, you can swap them with natural sweeteners such as raw honey, coconut crystals, and even fresh fruit.

Burn belly fat by soothing the mind

Yoga and meditation can aid fat loss, but not so much from the physical effect of the movements as from their calming and relaxing effect. Several studies have linked high levels of the stress hormone cortisol to weight gain, particularly in the belly area. Practice yoga for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day for best results, or start a daily meditation practice.

Burn belly fat by consuming more protein

Protein is one macronutrient that can really help fight belly fat. When you eat more protein, it keeps you fuller longer and reduces the hunger hormone ghrelin, helping you slash the total calories you consume in a day. High-protein meals, with 20 to 30 grams of protein each, can also help you burn more calories by raising the body’s metabolic rate.

 Eat up to three protein-rich meals a day to keep your appetite and cravings in check. Good sources of protein include poultry, lean meat, eggs, fresh-caught fish and other seafood, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Include one or more of these in every meal. 
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3 Principles to Eat More and Still Lose Weight


Trying to lose weight and going on a diet can become a nightmare for some people. And for others, it might be a normal healthy routine for them. But if you're the first type where dieting is not your cup of tea and love eating too much, then read on.
With so much information out there about how to lose weight fast or how to develop healthy eating habits, it's probably also a challenge to decide on what works best for you since you're bombarded with hundreds and thousands of information from a single search on google.
As a society we all grew up thinking that the way to lose weight fast and most efficiently is to drastically reduce our daily calorie intake, which most of the time just meant eating less food.
But we now realize that we can actually lose weight by eating more, if done in a well manner. Here are the 3 principles to eating more and still losing weight:

EAT FATS

Beginners often feel a bit anxious when they hear that fats should be consumed to stay healthy and lose weight. The fact is there are healthy fats and bad fats. The macronutrients in good (healthy) fats will help kick away your hunger signals, making you feel full quicker. Regularly eating healthy fats can also impact blood insulin levels positively as well as reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. And that should not be ignored, because type 2 diabetes affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and accounts for 90-95% of all adults who had diagnosed cases of diabetes, says a study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Besides the fats found in processed fats however, all other fats should be just fine for a healthy lifestyle.

Some examples of healthy fats include:
  • Avocado
  • Coconut oil
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Cheese
  • Dark chocolate
  • Nuts
  • Fatty fish
  • Whole eggs
  • Extra virgin olive oil

EAT PROTEIN AND FIBER IN EVERY MEAL

Metabolism gets boosted by consumption of protein, helping you to feel full longer and avoid from bingeing. Fiber is a crucial nutrient that aids in losing weight as it reduces the absorption of sugar in the blood, helping you utilize the carbohydrates (glucose) for energy rather than storing it all as fat.

Berries, chia pudding, cheddar cheese, spinach, and eggs are some of the commonly known sources of protein and fibre. You can also eat salad, chicken, and zucchini noodles.

SET MEAL TIMINGS

Stable blood sugar level is the key to lose weight. To maintain this, do not keep a long gap between two meals. Doing so will end up resulting in a spike in your blood sugar levels, making you overeat. A commonly recommended approach is to eat every 4 hours (because your body transitions into starvation mode around that time) in order to keep your blood sugar levels in check. In addition, it helps to avoid hunger and a bad mood. Also, a study suggested that a schedule for eating helps in reducing body fat accumulation.
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Monday, July 27, 2020

7 Best Morning Habits to Lose Weight


Losing weight can be a troublesome task sometimes to the point where people completely reconsider new diets or switch up their lifestyle.
Making small changes to your mornings can help with weight loss and keep those pounds off. Here are 7 uncomplicated morning habits you can start incorporating into your weight loss routine:

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS OR MINDFUL-EATING

Mindfulness involves putting your entire focus on the present and bringing awareness to your feelings and thoughts.
This has been shown to improve weight loss efforts and even promote healthy eating habits (7, 8).
Ever heard of mindful eating? This invovles increasing your awareness about when and how much to eat using internal cues to guide you, as opposed to your visual cues.

Try to give full attention to what you eat, savoring each bite, acknowledging what you like and don't like, and not eating when distracted. Doing this will ensure that you will develop more self-control to your eating habits!
Research suggests that the more mindful you are, the less likely you are to overeat in response to visual or external cues like food ads, super-sized portions and 24/7 food availability (fast food joints).

START TRACKING YOUR CALORIES

Similarly to weighing yourself every morning it's a good habit to keep a food diary to track what you eat and keep yourself accountable. Doing so is an effective way to lose weight, as one study of 123 people revealed that having a food journal was linked to improved weight loss (12).

In addition you will be able to track down what you need to cut out or how much calories you're unnecessarily cutting out, for a healthy weight loss routine.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER IN THE MORNING

Starting your morning with a glass cup of water is an easy but effective way to enhance your weight loss efforts.
Water can increase your calorie burning rate for at least an hour. Drinking a bottled water can lead to a 30% increase in your metabolic rate on average (3).
If you want to lose pounds without any additional dieting or exercise involved, you can shed some pounds just by drinking an average of 34 ounces (2 water bottles) per day (4).
Every little bit counts!

HAVE MORE PROTEIN FOR BREAKFAST

Breakfast is commonly known to be the most important meal of the day. Having your morning breakfast can set you up for the entire day and it will determine if you'll feel satisfied and full until lunchtime, or if you'll be heading to the nearest fast food joint before it even gets to lunchtime.
What you can do is eat foods high in protein. Wait what?!

Now this may sound a little odd but there's some science that actually backs this up and studies suggest a high-protein breakfast can help reduce food cravings as well as helping with weight loss.
For example, 20 late-adolescant young women in a 2014 study were given specific breakfast meals with low or high protein content and were asked to consume these at home between 7:00am and 9:30am for an entire week. The study's findings showed that those who consumed higher amounts of protein meals tended to have far less savory cravings than those who consumed normal amounts (1, 2).
Don't know where to start? You can start with protein sources like nuts, chia seeds, eggs and Greek yogurt.

GET IN THE HABIT OF WEIGHING YOURSELF

Weighing yourself and stepping on the scale every morning can be an effective way to increase motivation and improve self-control.
Knowing the fact that you shed a pound or two in the past week is a sure motivation to keep your momentum running!

In addition, studies even show that people who weigh themselves daily lose more than those who don't (5).

So what happens to the people who hardly weigh themselves at all? They gain weight (6).
According to experts, the best time to weigh yourself in the day is in the morning, right after you empty your bladder and before you eat your breakfast.
It's apparently a healthy habit to adopt. So, get your scale on!

EAT SMALLER PORTIONS

Most people need to consume between 1200 to 1500 calories on a daily basis if they want to shed pounds in a healthier and sustainable way.

But for many others, monitoring portion sizes as well as skipping dessert or going back for seconds is one of the simplest ways to decrease their calorie consumption.

INCORPORATE EXERCISE IN YOUR MORNINGS

More commonly, one of the most effective ways to lose weight is to excercise regularly. Getting your workout done in the morning can fasten your weight loss goal.

A study conducted on a group of 50 overweight women showed that exercising in the morning was linked to a higher level of fullness, as opposed to those who exercised in the afternoon (9).
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