Losing weight for summer doesn’t have have to be an extreme diet or over the top exercise. It can be simple, straightforward and even small changes to your regular routine. Here, fitness experts weigh in with their top tips:
1. BOOZE
Give it up completely if you are serious about losing weight. At least temporarily. Experts say it is one of the worst things you can do for your metabolism. Calories in alcohol not only add up fast, drinking alters your blood sugar, making you crave more unhealthy snacks and while your body is processing the toxins, it’s not focusing on processing fat.
2. PROCESSED FOOD
This category includes: Processed meats, packaged snacks, canned foods packed in syrup.
Also, ultra processed foods can include sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, colours, and flavours, many of which are artificial. The unnecessary salt, sugar, fat, and artificial additives in this type of processed foods can promote weight gain. Even worse? Highly processed foods appeal to our taste buds and make it hard to eat just one serving.
3. EATING AFTER WORKOUTS
You can eat your way through any amount of exercise, so make sure you’re using common sense and counting your calories with your food or you can easily wipe out your fitness efforts. Make an effort to not eat more calories than you burn in a day, try a food diary app to track your caloric intake and stock up on some healthy snacks.
4. NO PAIN NO GAIN AT GYM
Try working out harder at the gym. An 85 percent of your maximum heart rate level is recommended and experts note that a lot of people don’t work out as intensely as they are capable of. Use a heart rate monitor to make sure you’re getting in the zone during your workout.
5. USING THE 80/20 RULE
This rule simply means choose food wisely 80 percent of the time. For example, everybody knows that scrambled egg whites are better than a donut in the morning. Everybody knows Greek yogurt is better than a bagel. So 80 percent of the time, make the intelligent food choice and 20 percent of the time allow yourself the treat foods.
On top of that if, you have the resources financially to go organic do so.
6. GET MOTIVATED
Focus on things that matter to you that necessitate you to be in shape. That could be keeping up with your kids, styling in a great wardrobe, etc. Mental focus is key to accelerating your physical progress.
BIG FOOD NO-NO’s
Sugary Drinks- Kiss pop and fruit juices good bye if you are serious about shedding pounds
Junk Foods- pastry, cake, cookies, candy
Pizza and Fried Foods
High Calorie Specialty Coffees
BOTTOM LINE
The worst foods for weight loss are highly processed junk foods. These foods are typically loaded with added sugar, refined wheat and/or added fats.
If you’re not sure if a food is healthy or unhealthy, read the label. However, watch out for the different names for sugar and misleading health claims.
Also, remember to consider the serving sizes. Some healthy foods, like nuts, dried fruit and cheese, are high in calories, and it can be very easy to eat too much.
Also remember that water is your friend. Not only a great filler upper but also a great cleanser of the system.
On a final note, experts says that if it comes down to a question of diet and exercise, although both are ideal, hands down it is your diet that will dictate how much weight you lose or gain overall.
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