Dropping pounds is often frustrating. Weight loss is often mystifying; you do well for awhile and feel encouraged, then level off and wonder what is wrong. Fortunately, when this happens, it may just be that you need to change your program a bit. Use these tips to boost your weight loss speed.
Kick start your weight loss plan by eating more spicy foods. Spicy foods have been shown to increase your metabolism, so that your cells burn more calories while you are eating, and after you eat. Also, extremely spicy foods might help you to eat less, if you can’t stand any more of the spice.
When you are trying to lose weight, it is really helpful to have a weight loss buddy. Having someone you know and trust, to share your successes and challenges with, makes the path to getting fit much easier. Find someone who shares the same goal of getting healthy and touch base with him or her regularly. so that you both can compare notes and encourage each other.
Two fantastic words for weight loss: eat salad. Not exciting enough? Research by Joel Fuhrman of “Eat to Live” shows that the most overweight people can lose prodigious amounts of weight eating prodigious amounts of nutrient-rich, low-calorie food. One key is simplicity: try an entire head of romaine, chopped very fine (the water method in the blender is useful), and topped with an entire can of chili beans. It’s a tasty, 300-calorie lunch that is jam-packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins. It will keep you full for hours, not to mention what it will do for your intestinal health.
Once you have decided that you want to lose weight remember that you can exercise anytime and anywhere. When you head out to the mall park farther away from the entrance so that you can walk there. If you come to a place that has elevators and stairs, choose the stairs. All these little things will start to add up for you.
Research fast food menu options prior to eating out at a fast food restaurant. This enables you to make good choices when eating fast food while trying to lose weight. Fast food is not forbidden as long as you are knowledgeable about what menu items are low in calories.
When considering a diet that provides an adequate nutrition level, be sure to balance out your carbohydrates, fats and protein. Each are extremely important to your health and fitness and should be balanced in a 50%, 30% and 20% distribution relative to how they were listed. It is definitely possible to provide leeway with each category, by approximately 10%.
Lose weight and take care of necessary chores at the same time by getting rid of your power machinery and investing in some old-fashioned manual equipment. Use a push mower instead of a self-propelled mower when cutting the grass. Park the snow blower, and clear your driveway and sidewalk of snow with a shovel. Instead of using a leaf blower, clean up those fall leaves with a rake or a broom. Your home will look fantastic, and so will you.
A journal can be a very effective tool in your weight loss plan. Keeping a journal helps to make you accountable. It also lets you know what’s working (and what isn’t) during the journey toward your weight loss goal. Write every bit of food you consume in your journal, and every minute of exercise as well.
Substitute applesauce for the oil when you are baking a cake. Sometimes we all have to satisfy our sweet tooth. Applesauce is a much healthier addition to cake recipes. It gives the cake wonderful flavor and moistness that can’t be beat. Why make an unhealthy choice when it’s so easy to make a healthier one?
Eat at home. Home cooked meals are healthier than dining out and are cheaper in the long run. Fast food and restaurant meals are made to be full of flavor and are proportionally full of calories. By eating at home, you have more choices and have the ability to add nutritional sides.
If you’re trying to lose weight but are morbidly obese, it’s best to start slowly. Immediately restricting your caloric intake can cause your body to feel like it’s being starved, which can actually sabotage your goals. Exercising too hard and too fast can also cause your body undue stress which could make you sick!
Reduce your alcohol intake as much as possible when trying to lose weight. It can be harder to lose weight if you drink a good bit of alcohol. The majority of alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories. If drinking is a must, then reach for a low-calorie option.
Staying on track with your diet in an office setting can be very difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Prepare for your work week by cooking meals and portioning snacks so that you can just grab the items you need and head out the door when you are in a pinch for time.
Understand that you will not be able to lose weight fast and keep it off in the long term. Take the time to lose one to two pounds a week over a few months in order to maximize your efforts and be able to maintain them on a long term basis.
Instead of watching useless television shows and reality TV, look for programs that feature weight loss ideas, exercise and healthy cooking. You will enjoy seeing others who are trying to get in shape and you may learn some healthy meal ideas you can share with your family!
Replace salty fries with your own grilled or steamed vegetables – or even fresh vegetables or fruit. This could be the best temptation for avoiding fatty, fried foods that may be your side to your meal, but could easily be replaced with tasty fruits and vegetables that make your side so much more nutritious.
New methods of losing weight are worth trying. You may even find that these new ways are superior to the methods you currently use. You will start to lose weight soon.
