Lets face it, when it comes to weight loss, we as individuals want the most effective solution to our weight loss problem as quick as possible. Yet the reality of weight loss isnt't found in a book or a diet pill but instead in the notion that in order to lose weight you must modify your diet, eat smaller portions and exercise on a consistent basis. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! If it was that simple, Americans wouldn't invest in products that comprise an industry worth over $500 billion dollars.
We as Americans have been brainwashed to think that the only way to lose weight is through investing in products. These products give us peace of mind that if we follow the directions or take the pill we will be slim in no time. Well, I read the books and even took a weight loss pill and I would have to say the results didn't add up. I fell for the weight loss industry brainwashing, hook, line and sinker.
Today, I no longer waste my time reading weight loss books or spending money on weight loss programs. Instead I focus my attention on the three keys to living a "lighter life."
(* This is what I follow. I am not a licensed doctor nor nutritionist. You are responsible for your food choices)
1) Modify your diet.
Foods to eliminate:
- Fast food. Doesn't do anything but clog your arteries.
- Soda. No matter if it is regular or diet, soda increases your metabolism thereby making you feel hungry. Plus, the chemicals found in soda aren't healthy
Foods to invest in:
- Fruits
- Vegetables. Although all types of veggies are good for you, fresh and frozen are the way to go. The sodium content in many canned foods, make that product border on unhealthy.
- Almonds. The fiber found in almonds makes your stomach feel fuller faster.
- Edamame (soybeans). This product is low in calories but high in nutritional value. It also is great for your skin.
- Lemons. Especially in water, lemons are known to being a fruit that speeds up your metabolism
- Grapefruit. This fruit is also known as being one that speeds up your metabolism.
When modifying your diet, limit the amount of pre-packaged foods you ingest. That consists of chips, cookies, cereals, crackers, etc. Also, when modifying your diet, limit the amount of sugar and sodium you intake. Sugar turns into fat, and sodium they say, is a significant contributor of heart disease.
Modifying your diet may sound hard at first. However, you just need to eat smarter. Lessen the amount of pre-packaged foods and increase the amount of fresh food.
2) Consume smaller portions
Did you know that 1 serving of Oreos consists of ONLY 2 cookies. How many of us have ever consumed just two cookies? I for one have not.
Controlling our portion sizes is a key to weight loss/weight management. I was once told that in terms of portions, meat/fish should be the size of our hand, while everything else on our plate should be the size of our fist. Sounds small, yes? I know very few people who eat that small of servings. Instead, most individuals I know pile their plates as high as they do at The Cheesecake Factory.
Although this rationing of food sounds unreasonable and one that will leave you hungry, I encourage you to drink water during your meals. Water has the natural tendency to make your stomach feel fuller.
3) Exercise
They say to start burning fat you must exercise at least 90 minutes. However, in this day and age, who has time to dedicate 90 minutes of their life to exercise. Instead, we should just focus on dedicating as much time to exercise as we can allow. Even if that means a 15 minute walk around the block with the dog.
Tricks to fitting exercise into your schedule:
- Depending on mileage, walk/bike to work
- Instead of driving your kids to school, walk them
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Take a walk on your lunch break instead of sitting in the employee lounge
- Do crunches/sit-ups/jumping jacks/wall sits during commercial breaks
- Walk to the store
- Do lunges up the stairs
- Substitute your office chair with an aerobics ball
- Do resistance band exercises at your desk during those times you simply need a break from your work
Weight loss is easier than it sounds. Modify your diet, eat smaller portions, exercise and overall have a positive attitude. Losing weight takes time. Its not instantaneous. However with hard work and dedication, you will find the results your looking for!
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