The number-one goal of every dieter out there should be lifelong success. After all, if you’re only going to regain the weight in a few weeks, it doesn’t make much sense to lose it in the first place. Find out how you can lose that weight and keep it off by using these simple tips.
People who want to lose weight would do well to work a bit of exercise into their routines. However, it doesn’t take as much exercise as some might think. It can be difficult squeezing exercise into your busy day. Park further away from the store or take the stairs instead of the elevator and your metabolism will increase. Just walking several hundred extra steps per day can make a big difference.
If you are dieting, you must watch what you eat as well as who you eat with. There is research that suggests women and men eat less around men and more around women. There is no explanation for it at this point, but considering this time you go on a girls’ night will help you sustain some control.
If you want to get a handle on weight loss, it’s important to understand the concept of nutrient density. Traditionally, nutrient density has been spoken of in terms of nutrients per unit of weight or volume, i.e. calories per ounce, etc. Of far more use, however, is to think of the nutrient density in terms of nutrients per CALORIE. Measured by that standard, a head of romaine lettuce, which has about 100 calories, is many times more loaded with nutrients per calorie than almost any other food. It’s just that most of us don’t think of eating an entire head of romaine lettuce. These findings, based on research suggest that focusing on the most nutrient-dense foods (by calorie, not by weight) will help people lose the greatest amount of weight.
Almost everyone loves french fries! Unfortunately, they have wrecked many well-intentioned dieters. There is, however, a healthy french fry alternative that you can bake yourself. After slicing potatoes into 1/2″ strips, place in a bowl along with 1T of canola oil. Sprinkle with pepper, salt and other seasonings of your choice. Arrange the fries on a roaster pan or cookie sheet in just one layer and bake at 400 degrees in your oven for 30 minutes. Use a spatula to loosen them, turn them over and let them bake for approximately 10 minutes. They are great with ketchup, have less calories, and they are so delicious you might not miss the deep fried ones. You can thank Laurel’s Kitchen cook book for these yummy treats.
Although it is tempting to check your weight every day or even several times a day when dieting, try to resist this impulse. Weight fluctuates several pounds throughout the day, so you cannot get an accurate picture of your progress and can become discouraged, which may lead to overeating.
When you are watching what you eat, don’t forget to also watch what you drink. Research the calories of your favorite beverages so that you can fit them into your diet comfortably. Also, switch to “light” versions of your drinks of choice to ‘shave excess calories off’ your daily intake.
Snack on pistachios to help you lose weight. It has been noted that people who switch to snacking on a handful of pistachios instead of a crunchy, salty snack lose weight more rapidly. You also get added health benefits, because these tasty nuts are packed with loads of essential nutrients.
Another great way to see how you’re changing, and motivate yourself, is to take a photo of yourself once every 1-2 weeks throughout your weight-loss plan. You will be reminded each time of the goal you are working toward and will have physical evidence that all your efforts, are, in fact, starting to yield visible results.
Sometimes when people have started losing weight, they will seem to hit a plateau. No matter what they do, the weight won’t budge. The best way to overcome this is to increase the amount of time you are exercising by 5 minutes. Do this once a week until you overcome the plateau.
Make sure you are not overdoing your portion sizes. A typical person needs only 1,854 calories per day. Eating more then that just adds weight, and has no nutritional value to your body. Try using the palm of your hand to measure what size portion you should be eating.
If you are truly serious about losing weight, don’t trust just anyone for advice. Family doctors, dieticians, and certified nutritionists are your safest bet, especially if you have underlying medical conditions. While the internet is great for finding fitness routines, low-fat recipes, and nutritional value, the most important thing to look for is compatibility with your current level of health.
Maintaining your focus is the best way to lose weight. No matter who you are, if you find yourself in the midst of a weight-loss program or intense exercise schedule, there must be a reason (or several reasons), why you began the program in the first place. Remind yourself of your motivations each and every day. Think of the people who need you to be healthy and what you owe yourself. As your mental strength increases, so will your physical strength.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, and cannot be stressed enough, the most important goal is lifelong success. It’s simply not enough to lose a few pounds for a few days. When you’re ready to make the big change, remember to use the tips you’ve learned in this article, to help you make it.
