The following quick and easy weight loss tricks, if followed every day, can help anyone achieve their fitness goals. Read on to know the changes that you need to make to get back in shape...
The most important tip for losing weight is to make up your mind first. Tell yourself that you are willing to make all the small changes in your diet and routine to ensure that you have a lean and fit body. Once you are decided that this is exactly what you want, the following easy weight loss tricks on diet and exercising will help you out further.
Easy Weight Loss Tricks that Work
Homemade Food
Cook at home. Homemade food is far healthier and much more lesser in calories as compared to restaurant food. So, on every weekend, make a menu for the coming week and do grocery shopping. You can even cook dishes and freeze them on weekends, which you can eat the following week. This ensures that you do not have to cook on everyday basis along with your college or work, which can put undue stress on you otherwise.
Water
One of the easy weight loss tricks for women and men is to drink a gallon of water every day. Drinking water improves digestion, suppresses hunger pangs and helps in the elimination of wastes from the body. In addition to this, water enhances the functioning of liver which is the main organ of the body that converts fats into energy. So, make it a point to drink lots of water every day.
Five Small Meals
Have you ever noticed that whenever you skip breakfast, you end up eating a lot more in lunch or keep on snacking throughout the day. Yes, it's true! This only means that the more we starve our bodies, the more we actually end up eating. So, a great way to stay away from those high calorie snacks in between meals is to replace your three big meals with five small meals, spread evenly throughout the day.
Slow Eating
When you are eating, take your time. Chew the food properly as it will aid in digestion. Researches have shown that it takes about twenty minutes for the body to signal to the brain that it is full. So, eat slowly so that you know when you are full.
Fruits and Vegetables
A rapid weight loss trick is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables in your meals. If you see to it that half of your all meals are made from fresh fruits and vegetables, it will automatically lead to weight loss as these are very low in calories compared to most meats.
Stress Management
A lot of times, people who are stressed tend to overeat. Emotional eating i.e. eating to ward off feelings of loneliness and inadequacy, is very common. So, to keep this at bay, undertake stress management techniques like meditation and breathing exercises for at least ten minutes every day. Taking breaks in between work and sleeping for at least seven to eight hours in a day keeps a person stress-free too.
Exercise
Another weight loss trick is to make a routine of exercising every day. Cardiovascular exercises, such as aerobics, swimming, cycling and jogging should be performed for at least half an hour every day by those who are serious about their weight loss goals. If they are combined with strength training and resistance training exercises even better! Preferably, join a gym and train under a professional for achieving maximum weight loss, especially if you have never exercised before. This will ensure that you meet your goals and suffer no injury.
Physical Activities
Besides exercising, undertake a number of physical activities everyday. Instead of driving to the market, if it's nearby, go walking. Climb the stairs instead of taking an elevator. Do housework yourself. Al these activities burn calories and will help you in losing weight.
Lean Meats, Fish and Eggs
Instead of eating fried and fatty meats, eat roasted, broiled and boiled meats from which fats have been taken out. Fish is healthy and at the same time low in calories as long as it is not fried. Eggs should be had everyday in breakfast. Researches have shown that due to the presence of vitamin B12 in them, having an egg every day aids in weight loss.
Things to Avoid
-For weight loss, there are some foods and beverages that you need to say goodbye to forever. Here is a list of a few of the fattening foods to avoid:
- Fast Foods - pizzas, burgers, hotdogs, all of them have a huge number of calories, so should be given up. If you can not, go in for lesser calorie varieties like thin crust pizzas with vegetarian toppings and lean meat burgers.
- Ice creams and other sugary desserts. Replace them with low-fat yogurt and fresh fruits.
- Soft drinks. They give nothing but empty calories. Replace them with low-fat milk.
- Alcohol. Give it up completely. Maybe you can have a glass of wine, but that's it. No more of it!
Packaged Foods. Replace them with fresh foods.
- Foods with processed carbohydrates. Instead eat complex carbohydrates foods such as whole grain, brown rice and whole wheat bread.
Weight loss tricks that are suggested above stress on healthy eating and living. These can be followed throughout one's life and will help in keeping a person hale and hearty. So, now that you have so many ideas on weight loss up your sleeve, start with them right away and get the dream body that you always wanted!
By Aastha Dogra
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/easy-weight-loss-tricks.html
Got only a week to fit into that dress? Though rapid weight loss is not encouraged by health experts, some very simple and healthy measures will increase your ability to lose weight in a short span of time. Here are some tips for you to follow and trigger weight loss. Take a look.
It is definitely possible to lose some amount of weight in a week. However, if you are thinking of going on a crash diet, fad diet, or a diet that make you consume lots of pills without changing what you eat or getting you to exercise, you're just going to end up weak and looking extremely unhealthy. While health experts always suggest that you should engage in a long-term weight loss plan for best results, weight loss can begin within a week's time and can continue in the long run, as long as you maintain a healthy diet plan. Now, before we proceed, you should know that you cannot, and should not, lose large amounts of weight within a week's time. It is plain unhealthy to lose more than 5-7 pounds in a week, and even this amount is only possible when you monitor your weight and diet very closely. Some of the best diets have not been able to help put off that kind of weight in a week. So keep your expectations practical and you will not be disappointed.
Best Way to Lose Weight in a Week
Losing weight in a week not only requires some big (but healthy) changes in your diet, it also requires you to exercise a good amount. If your body is not used to exercise, it is going to be a little difficult for you to exercise for long time periods suddenly. However, you should still continue exercising as much as your body can tolerate (don't ignore any joint pains or other aches you get after exercising). Finally, it takes will-power, determination, and focus to be able to lose weight in a week. You have to keep the ultimate weight loss goal in mind, and ensure that you don't lose sight of that goal. With that said, here are some effective weight loss tips.
Start by Drinking Lots of Water
Look anywhere for quick weight loss tips and this is the first tip that you will get. Why? Because your body stores excess water if you don't drink enough, thinking that this water will be used in the future. You have to flush out all the excess water in your body because it contributes to those pounds you think you have put on. So drink a minimum of 10 big glasses of water in a day to get rid of the excess fluids. Adding green tea (unsweetened) to your list of beverages is a good idea, as it aids weight loss. Avoid soft drinks and caffeinated beverages until you reach your desired weight. Even after you do reach your goal, keep these drinks to a minimum. Indulge in them only once in a while to maintain the weight.
Give up Salt and Starch for a Bit
Consuming lots of salt and starch is usually what triggers water retention and the excess water weight. The salt and starch come from those cheeseburgers, fries and all other processed and junk food you end up eating at restaurants. So cut down on both. Starch can be cut down by avoiding the consumption of white rice, potatoes, white bread, white pasta, etc. Switch to whole grain bread and pasta, and brown rice if you really want to consume these. Reduce you salt intake by giving up processed and packaged food, and reduce the amount you add to your food too. If you happen to feel dizzy, include the regular amount of salt in your meals, but stop having other processed food such as packaged meat, tinned food, and even biscuits. You will instantly lose a few pounds when the water held in the body by salt and starch is dissolved.
Increase Your Fiber Intake
Fiber is primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which is a must in your week-long weight loss diet. Fiber is a natural laxative and not only gets rid of harmful toxins in the body, it also triggers weight loss by keeping you fuller for longer. Try other sources of fiber too, such as whole grains, oats, barley, and whole-grain cereal. Make these a part of your meals, and every time you feel hungry, try out a vegetable or a fruit for a snack. It will keep you full without adding unnecessary calories to your body.
Include Protein in your Diet
While your body burns fat, it needs protein to keep up energy levels. You have to consume healthy proteins in your diet. Rich sources of protein include soy products such as soy milk and tofu, black beans, garbanzo beans, legumes such as peas, and nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pecans. Also consume lean cuts of chicken, fish and turkey. Stick to the consumption of egg whites. Don't forget dairy such as low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese such as cottage cheese. All these are absolutely necessary when you are on a diet, to help the development of muscles and to burn fat. Every meal should consist of a protein, a fibrous food and complex carbohydrates (i.e. whole grain products).
Maintain a Food Journal
At the cost of repetition, here's why you need a food journal. You write down everything you eat, even that sip of a beverage your friend was drinking, even a bite of the deep-fried chicken steak your husband was enjoying. You write down the portions you have consumed, and the time at which you eat. This allows you to review how exactly your diet is turning out, what you ate and shouldn't eat, and how you can change your diet plan to make it more effective. It will help you keep track of where you may be going wrong if the weight loss plan is not proving to be effective.
Exercise
Experts say that weight loss is a combination of 70% diet and 30% exercise. You have to pay due attention to this 30% so that your weight loss is effective. Get about 30-45 minutes of cardio exercises in your regime daily. Combine it with weight training at least 2-3 times a week. This helps build your strength and aids healthy muscle development. Further, that toned body is going to be achieved primarily with strength training exercises. Exercise activates your metabolism and allows it to burn calories at a quicker rate, even when you are resting. If you think going for a jog is too boring, join a group exercise class that moves to some happening beats to keep you motivated. Zumba, aerobics, dance, or any other such activities are great fun. Yoga is also a great option for those of you who are interested.
Some More Tips
To lose weight in a week, there are some things that you are going to have to keep a strict tab on.
- Keep those tempting fries, pretzels and other canned and ready to eat foods, out of your kitchen for a while. You just have to stay away from temptation at least in that one week you are trying to attain effective weight loss.
- Don't skip any meals. Starving to lose weight is one of the biggest mistakes everyone makes, and this measure usually backfires very badly. Enjoy a heavy breakfast, a medium-portioned lunch, and a light dinner. Enjoy fruits or nuts for a snack whenever you're hungry.
- Avoid watching TV while you eat. You usually don't realize how much you've eaten when your mind is elsewhere.
- If you are having a craving, keep yourself busy and try to stay out of the kitchen. Read a book, go for a walk, listen to music, chat with a friend; basically, do what it takes to keep your mind diverted.
As you can see, these tips can easily be followed in the long run too. Initially, you will find yourself lighter by a few pounds, say about 5-7 pounds, and 10 pounds in some very rigorous cases. This will kick-start your weight loss plan that you can continue to lose more weight. When you do, remember to give in to your cravings every once in a while. Restricting yourself too much can lead to complete breakdown where your diet becomes a complete waste. Try these tips, and you are bound to feel lighter in a short span of time.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert advice.
By Puja Lalwani
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/tips-to-lose-weight-in-a-week.html
Lose weight naturally and in the most balanced, healthy way. How? By following the tips on quick weight loss suggested below...
For all those who want to know how to lose a stone in a week, I have only one thing to say - to achieve fitness and good health, you need to make certain changes in your lifestyle and diet. These changes are not something that you make for a week or a month, but have to be carried on forever, throughout your life! Any quick-fix diet, which promises a huge amount of weight loss in a few days, can be very harmful for you in the long run. So, instead of following any such, supposed to be "magical" weight loss plans, make the easy and healthy changes suggested below in your routine and you will be able to achieve your weight loss goals in no time.
Tips on How to Lose a Stone in a Week
Be a Vegetarian!
No, I am not joking! Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the best thing that you can do your body. These are very less in calories and are full of nutrients that our body needs to stay healthy. If turning a vegetarian seems something that you cannot do, see to it that two-thirds of your every meal is made up of fresh veggies and fruits. This will definitely help in bringing down the kilos that you have piled on lately due to eating the wrong kind of foods!
Drink Water like a Fish!
Now, you don't have to go to such an extent, but yes a gallon a day is what I recommend. Water helps in flushing out the impurities and wastes from the body, which would otherwise have accumulated as fats. Water aids in digestion and sometimes suppresses hunger pangs as well. Researches show that many a time, when a person feels hungry, he is actually thirsty! So, one of the fastest ways to lose weight naturally is to drink lots of water.
Cook Food at Home!
Eating out is a major culprit behind weight gain as most of the time, restaurant food is fattening. So, if you want to lose weight, start cooking food at home. Make a healthy, balanced diet menu every Saturday night and accordingly shop on Sundays. You can even prepare some healthy, fat-free dishes on Sunday and freeze them so that you do not have to do much cooking on weekdays when you are working or studying.
Take Small, Regular Meals!
For losing a stone in a week, start taking small meals regularly throughout the day. Five to six meals is what is recommended. This will check on your tendency to snack on chips or other fatty snacks in between meals. Keep the portion size small and as I said earlier, stick to healthy vegetarian foods!
Eat Slowly!
Do you know that it takes approximately twenty minutes for the body to signal to the brain that it is full? That's why, to avoid overeating and to ensure proper digestion, chew your food properly. Take your time while eating. Preferably, do not watch television or read something when you are having your food. This will help in ensuring that you do not eat more than your body needs!
Avoid Certain Foods!
Fast foods, high sugar foods, fried foods, packaged foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol and packaged foods should be avoided. If you can not forgo them completely, at least cut down their intake or restrict their intake to once a week. You may further go to how to lose weight fast in a week.
Eat High Fiber and High Protein Foods!
High fiber and high protein foods will keep you full for a very long time, thus reducing your overall food intake. Lean meats and fish which are either grilled, boiled or roasted and eggs are healthy high protein foods that you should eat. Beans, whole wheat bread, lentils, bran and various fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber so include them in your diet everyday.
Never Skip Breakfast!
Your breakfast should be heavy and nutritious as what you eat in breakfast gives you energy to function and work throughout the day. Researches have shown that having cereals with non-fat milk and fresh fruits is the ideal breakfast.
Exercise!
Leave alone asking, you cannot even think about how to lose a stone in a week without exercise! Weight loss is impossible if some sort of physical activity is not included in your daily routine. When it comes to losing weight, cardiovascular exercises are the most effective. So, choose any activity of your choice from aerobics, dancing, cycling, swimming, jogging and walking, and make a routine to carry it out for at least forty minutes, six days a week. If coupled with weight training, flexibility exercises and resistance training, it can do wonders for your body! Preferably, join a gym or train under a professional, if you are very serious about your fitness goals.
Manage Stress!
Have you ever heard of emotional eating? Well, it is a tendency to eat, even when someone's not hungry, to ward off boredom or feelings of loneliness! So, to avoid this, practice any of the stress management techniques, be it meditation or yoga or breathing exercises, on a daily basis.
If you are able to incorporate these small changes in your daily routine, you would not only lose weight, but become healthy and fit as well. So, instead of aiming for losing a stone in a week, aim for a well nourished and trim body, achieved in the most healthiest way, by following the tips suggested above! All the best!
By Aastha Dogra
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-lose-a-stone-in-a-week.html
Lose weight naturally and in the most balanced, healthy way. How? By following the tips on quick weight loss suggested below...
If you are wondering how to lose 50 pounds fast, let me tell you it's indeed a big deal to lose so much in a short span of time. People wanting to shed 50 pounds usually make long term plans because short term weight loss goals are never useful in the long run. The duration required to curtail 50 pounds from your body is normally 6 months if a proper diet and exercise regimen is followed. People who enter into crash dieting and rigorous workout routines will have rebound effect on their body and rapid weight gain after a certain period is the sole consequence. If you want the effects to take place smoothly then give yourself at least four months time.
Ways to Lose 50 Pounds
Losing 50 pounds suddenly is possible with cosmetic surgeries. Liposuction is the most successful technique in this aspect. People are also opting for body sculpting surgeries that shape one's body in the way one wants to. However, losing 50 pounds naturally will take you 6 months along with regular exercise. During this time span, you have to be extremely cautious of what you are eating.
Exercise for Losing 50 Pounds
- Without exercise you can never lose so much weight. Join a reputed gym and follow the guidelines of your instructor. Do not jump into heavy impact exercises immediately if you are doing it for the first time.
- Effective calorie burning is possible with cardio exercises. Include a lot of physical activities in your 50 pounds weight loss regimen. This include running, jogging, skipping, aerobics, kick boxing, swimming, etc. A 45 minutes daily cardio is necessary for losing weight.
- Weightlifting is essential for burning additional fat from your body. Start with light weights and then increase them. Doing stretching exercises with weights and machines is more effective than freehand exercises.
- Workout your entire body till you sweat profusely. Good gyms are sometimes equipped with vibrating machines, that help in movement of each and every part of your body.
- Give more stress to elliptical exercises, squats, abdominal stretches, crunches, shoulder and bench presses to lose fats from those areas. Exercises meant for strengthening hamstrings and glutes keep your body toned. Anaerobic exercises are important to make your muscles strong and to reduce the extra flab.
Diet for Losing 50 Pounds
- Until you control your diet, exercises will never produce the desired results. Implement a diet that will provide you energy without causing weight gain.
- You need to increase your protein intake while being on exercise. Eat boiled chicken, beef, fish and turkey everyday. Increase consumption of fat free dairy products, including skimmed milk and egg white. Whey protein powders and protein drinks rich in minerals and vitamins are useful.
- Eat a little carbohydrate (complex) at your breakfast. This should come from cornflakes, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal. Go on a zero-carbohydrate diet after 3 months. This implies curtailing carbohydrates completely from your meals. When you exclude carbohydrates from your diet, then you are more likely to lose weight fast.
- You can add unsaturated fatty acids in your diet in a healthy manner. Unsaturated fatty acids or omega-3-fatty acids could be consumed by cooking your food with olive oil. Include walnuts, shrimp, tuna, kidney beans, peanuts, tofu, salmon, etc in your diet as much as possible.
- Curtail junks, fast foods, aerated drinks and beverages. Have fresh fruits and unsweetened fresh fruit juices. Apples, oranges, guava, lemons, berries, cantaloupe, peach and pears should be included in your diet in a large amount.
- Starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes should not be consumed. Green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and they must form a part of your meal everyday. Have them in boiled or raw form. You can also have vegetable stew and soups.
The tips provided in the content above should be followed for six months. Check your weight every 15 days and you will gradually find that you have lost 50 pounds. Losing 50 pounds is not unattainable if you are investing your energy in the right direction and following a proper diet. Once you have lost the desired weight you should always maintain yourself to prevent gaining weight randomly. Never make a hasty decision to follow the crash diets that promise you good results within a short time span. Set a long term plan to reduce weight effectively.
By Saptakee Sengupta
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-lose-50pounds-fast.html
With some smart workout regime and diet plans you can learn how to reduce weight in 30 days. This article will help you to reduce weight naturally, and at the same time you will help you achieve better health...
When aiming at quick weight loss, one needs to focus on some important but basic things. Exercise, a healthy diet and detox are the three important things you need to do to reduce weight naturally. These are the best ways to reduce weight in a month. For a diet, eat more of fresh fruits and vegetables, and less of carbs and fats. Exercise should include both cardio exercises and strength training. For daily detox drink plenty of water, have 2-3 cups of green tea and lemon-water. Here are tips to form a daily routine that is for weight loss.
Tips on Reducing Weight in 30 Days
- In the morning first brush your teeth. Then drink a glass of warm water with honey and lemon in it. Lemon and honey both help to reduce weight and clean the body from the inside. So, warm a glass of water and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon honey to it, mix well and drink it.
- The next thing you need to is get dressed in your exercise clothes. So, wear sport shoes, tracks and a loose t-shirt. And start with the daily workout.
- When aiming at reducing weight to lose weight, the workout should be such that it helps you burn maximum number of calories in a short period. The best fat burning exercise is cardio, but some strength training should also be done.
- Among cardio exercise to lose weight the most effective at burning calories quickly are swimming and jump rope workout. So, perform any of these workouts for around half an hour. If you have stamina then you can do cardio for 45 minutes. However, if you are aiming to shed only few pounds then workout for half an hour only, do not push too much.
- So, warm up for 8-10 minutes, which can be mild jogging and then swim or do a jump rope workout. If the workout becomes too much at a point, then take a two-minute break, sip a little water and then continue again.
- After the cardio it is time to do strength training. For strength training you can follow a workout which involves one muscle per day. This way all the muscle groups can be worked on using strength training throughout the week. However, if you have too much fat in a specific area, for example thighs, then do thigh exercises 3 times a week.
- Some examples of strength training exercises you can include in your workout are squats, lunges, superman, ab crunches, oblique crunches, quick hindu squats, belly button exercises, press-ups, pull-ups, etc. When performing strength training take a minute break after every set.
- After strength training is finished, take a break of 2 minutes and sip some water. After this perform some full body stretches. Make sure you hold each stretch properly for a count of 10 seconds.
- This was the morning workout, now it is time to take the first meal of the day - breakfast. One of the ways to boost metabolism is to have small but frequent meals. When having meals strictly avoid any fried or junk food. Avoid fried and sugary food. Avoid sodas, caffeine and alcohol. Decrease the amount of carbs and fats in your diet, and increase the intake of lean proteins. Use Mediterranean type of fats like olive oil, nuts and fish. This is important because if you don't stick to healthy eating, then it won't be possible to lose weight. So, stick honestly to the diet program.
- For breakfast you eat a bowl of mixed fruits, some cereal and milk. You can add other food items to breakfast too, as long as they are healthy.
- After this you get on with your daily chores. If you have a job that involves sitting for long hours, then do the belly button exercise whenever you can. For belly button exercise, sit straight and suck your belly in as much as you can, hold for 30 seconds to a minute, and release.
- 2 hours before lunch have a small snack. This can be a bowl of fruits with some nuts with green tea. During lunch time, have something that has lean protein in it like turkey. Avoid drinking water an hour before and after lunch. This dilutes the digestive juices in stomach.
- Throughout the day keep drinking water. Drink at least 2 liters of water. Again have a small snack in the evening, like yogurt with salad, with a cup of green tea.
- If you are highly overweight then consider doing 20-30 minutes cardio in the evening too. This will help in further weight loss. This time you can indulge in sports or a dance which you like.
- Finally for dinner have something very light. After dinner don't go to sleep. Wait at least for 2 hours and then go to sleep.
This is your daily routine. However, on Sundays give yourself a break from the exercise. Make sure you get enough sleep of 8 hours daily too, and stick to diet program. If you follow the above mentioned tips honestly and regularly, you will see that at the end of the month you have lost a good amount of weight.
By Pragya T
Article Source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-reduce-weight-in30-days.html
How can one lose 20 pounds in 2 months? It may sound a tad too extreme, but people are willing to do anything to lose weight in easy, quick ways...
If you tell people you lost 20 pounds in two months, they'd probably ask you what kind of pills you were on or which magic juice have you been drinking to burn fat. Not all miracle weight losses are because of some quick fix method that has to do with popping pills or downing shakes, it can also be healthy dieting that isn't a fad one by nature. So is it possible to lose 20 pounds in 2 months? Surprisingly, it is. The clincher here is that not all people's bodies are designed to function the same way, therefore stopping them from losing 20 pounds all together. Some people achieve this, while others lose a little lesser than 20 pounds by the time two months are up. Your height, and your body's metabolism is what will determine how much weight you can lose.
The body tends to lose weight really fast when one suddenly subjects their systems to lesser portioned foods, controlling calorie intake that leads to massive weight loss initially. The body sheds all those kilos without any problems the minute you alter your eating habits and get into physical activity.
Diet to Lose 20 Pounds in 2 Months
Some of you may think that to win this weight battle, you'd have to starve yourself silly, but no you don't have to. Wanting to lose 20 pounds in a span of two months isn't wishful thinking, but is something that is very much possible if done the smart way.
Breakfast
I cannot stress enough on how important this meal of the day is. If you want to lose weight the right way, prioritize this as your number one meal. Get your essential nutrients during this time of the day when your metabolism is running on high mode. You tend to burn more during sun up than sundown. So stack on these eats and alternate it with other items in this list as the week progresses.
- 2 eggs (twice a week only and use only olive/vegetable oil while cooking)
- Brown bread (two slices)
- Non-fat milk/cream
- All natural fruit juices/shakes (either freshly squeezed or made with organic ingredients)
- Fruit salad bowl
- Oats
- Bran flakes with milk (non-fat)
- Bagels with unsalted butter non fat/low far cream cheese
- Turkey sandwich with tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce
Munchies
It is important to keep your metabolism running, so snack on a handful of nuts or seeds, and drink at least one mug of black coffee or green tea, with the latter being more healthy than the former. Drop in one slice of lemon in it with mint leaves, with one cube of brown sugar if you can't take the bitterness of the green tea. It not only rids the body of toxins, but promotes weight loss. Here are the list of munchies that you can choose from to munch on everyday. Only one of the following coupled with liquids is allowed.
- 1 mug of green tea with a slice of lemon/mint leaves
- Freshly made fruit juice (not canned/packaged)
- Almonds/peanuts/cashews/pistachios (unsalted, hand full)
- Seeds like sunflower/pine
- Unsalted crackers
- Single bagel with unsalted butter
Lunch
After you're done with munchies, eat lunch an hour after this to give your stomach enough time to clear up some space. Alternate between the different lunch food options here to keep it different and flavorful every time. Drink plenty of water during the course of the day, or even during munchies time to kill hunger pangs. Portion sizes have to fill up only a quarter plate and drink a glass of water 10 minutes before you start eating. If you cannot finish what you are eating, don't push yourself. Instead make smaller portions the next day, and do not stop on drinking a glass of water 10 minutes before you eat.
- Salad (your choice of vegetable) with poached/grilled chicken/beef/seafood, coupled with non fat salad dressing
- Grilled/poached chicken steak with a side of mashed potatoes
- Stir fried vegetables with shrimp and fried brown rice
- Pita bread with hummus
- Tofu salad
- Sushi with wasabi sauce (or you can experiment with other sauces)
- Cottage cheese wrap with vegetables
Evening Snack Time
Don't eat anything at all except for lots of water, or if you'd like you can have another mug of green tea. Skip dinner completely, and only munch on an apple/orange or a bowl of cherries/grapes before 7:30 pm. Get used to not eating at all after this time, and ignore food cravings post 7:30 pm. Not even water should be ingested during this time. You can eat dark chocolate and non fat desserts once in a week on Sundays only, so that you get accustomed to indulging in your favorite sweet dishes on one dedicated day. Opt for baked foods instead of fried/deep-fried to eat healthy alternatives where you even consume much fewer calories.
Get Off That Behind
And now for the most important part of the diet program - you need to get physically active. I'm not asking you to join a gym and get busting on some hectic workout routines, all I'm saying is that you need some form of movement that gets your metabolic rate rising. The higher it is, the more you'll lose. So take the stairs instead of going on that tempting elevator ride, walk for 45 minutes either in a park, at the beach, in your neighborhood or on a treadmill. You pick the place, and do it five times a week.
So, I hope that this low-calorie diet plan is the answer to your question, is it possible to lose 20 pounds in two months, because as you can see the calorie intake is far lesser and more controlled here. Do not over indulge in any of these food items and do not eat anything between the said times. If you practice this religiously you are bound to see results.
By Naomi Sarah
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-it-possible-to-lose-20pounds-in-2months.html
Losing weight is like impressing your mother-in-law, seldom do most of us succeed after prolonged efforts. Well, the latter seems impossible, but we do have some easy tips on losing weight that will help you.
Isn't that relief to the ears? The term 'easy weight loss' itself makes your fat guilt feel lighter. Being obese and overweight is a concern among most people. The worry only escalates every morning when the weight scale fails to differ. It is human to be impatient, and specially for overweight people only wish they had a magic wand to wave and vanish the bulging fat. There is not much room for trial and error with your body at least, right? But most of us are trying different diets and exercises to lose weight. And believe me, even if the results are not visible after long, they will still try the same plan, until the cows come home! The key to healthy weight loss is to combine efforts of a good diet and workout.
Easy and Effective Plans for Losing Weight
Losing weight works on a simple formula, that is intake of few calories and burning more calories. These easy tricks are meant to cut your bad food habits and help you lose weight fast.
Understand Your Body
Before concluding to a specific diet, it is important to understand how much energy and calories does your body need? You can use a calorie calculator for the same. Due to the difference in the nature of work and also our bodies, understanding the basic requirement of the body is important.
Veggies on Platter
Obesity generally hints at lower consumption of vegetables in the diet. Vegetables come packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibers. They are low in calories and also make you feel fuller. That in turn will help you eat less portions of your favorite food. You must include at least a handful of veggies, a minimum of five servings of fresh vegetables and fruits, in your daily diet.
Reduce the Carbohydrates
It is true that your body does require some amount of carbohydrates. But you need to balance the simple carbohydrates with the complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are easy to digest. Most contain refined sugars. Fruit juice, yogurt, milk, honey, maple syrup, molasses, fruits, etc., are some examples. Complex carbohydrates come with lots of fiber, and take longer to digest. Bread, cereal, pasta, legumes, etc., are some examples. It is important to reduce the intake of sugar and balance the ratio of simple and complex carbohydrates. This will help in regulating blood sugar levels, and your body will burn more fat for energy, thus reducing weight.
Meal Portions and Habits
Eating the right portions of food is important so as to reduce and control weight. Eat small meals throughout the day instead of large meals. 5 - 6 small meals are better than 3 large meals in a day. Studies have shown that distributing the same amount of calories in smaller meals, helps produce insulin and maintain control blood sugar level, thus controlling hunger. Also, do not skip your meals or starve. While eating chew slowly, enjoy what you are eating. Slow eating prevents compulsive overeating. It is also advised to avoid packaged and frozen food. Such food is often high in fats and sodium. Home cooked food is your best friend when losing weight.
Snack Control
Avoid snacking on unhealthy food. Cravings for sweets, chips and more is normal, but you can replace these snacks with some healthy nuts and fruits. It is common to snack when stressed, depressed, or even when waiting for meals. Do not let your mind rule fast food and calories at such times. Traveling is one time that allows a guilt free snack. Be wise to pack some healthy snacks with you.
Let Go Once in a While
It is alright to let go your diet and weight worries once a week. Do not restrict your body and allow yourself to binge on some comfort foods. Having your favorite food once in a while is OK. A slice or two of pizza or a scoop of your favorite ice cream will not do much harm.
Water and Other Liquids
Perhaps all the possible health suggestions narrow down to drinking plenty of water. With hydrating your body, water will also make you feel full and less hungry. Focus on water instead of soda and soft drinks. The sugar in these drinks may also add up to the calories. Alcohol should also be avoided. It has nutrition-empty calories and makes you gain fat. It lowers the process of metabolism and hence lowers burning fat process for about 48 hours!
Healthy Fats, Nutrients and Food
Do not completely deny your body of fats. There are certain good fats that your body requires for functioning. Fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 actually help lose weight, along with protecting your heart, bones and lungs. Include a decent ratio of these acids in your diet. It is observed that antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and E help the body combat the toxins that are stored in fat cells. Get plenty of these too. If you can stand the spice, include spices like cinnamon, curry and cayenne pepper, and other herbs that help in faster metabolism. Cayenne pepper especially is the most healthy spice herb, so include it in your diet a few times.
Exercise and Body Workouts
Along with a healthy diet, exercise will give your body an effective command to lose weight. Workout and exercise play a vital role to burn the fat. Around 30 - 40 minutes of daily exercise is advised by health experts. Activities even like daily walking for 20 minutes can help you lose weight. If you do not find enough time to religiously exercise everyday, you can help your body burn fat by the simplest of everyday things. You can walk to the shopping mall instead of a ride, engage in some outdoor activities instead of being glued to the television on the couch. Your body does not mind losing fat either ways, be it in the gym or anywhere in the house or park.
More Helpful Tips
Keeping a food and exercise journal works as a hawks eye over your diet and exercise. Make it a point to write what you eat. You can get a health expert check this for suggestions. Get rid of the fat clothes as you are reaching your goal, it will inspire you more. Be a little color conscious when you eat. Having warm colors on the dinner table and around, like red, yellow and orange, will make you feel more hungry and ultimately make you eat more. But including colors like blue are actually effective as appetite suppressants. Use plates, curtains and other possible things in blue, and you will tend to eat less. Other factors like serving in smaller dinner plates than the regular ones, the plate will be more full than empty, making you feel less hungry eventually. Sniff on some peppermint, apple or banana. It sounds funny, but research has proved that the smell of these foods reduce hunger and helps in losing weight. Last and the most important is to think positive and stay determined.
'Rome was not built in one day', so will the excess baggage on your body not shed at the blink of your eye. Include these easy weight loss tips to bid adieu to your bulky worries. All the best... you can and you will do it!
By Dhanashree Patane
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/easy-weight-loss-tips.html
Many of us desire weight loss, and some are ready to go that extra length to lose weight. This article throws light on the various ways of drastic weight loss, and the dangers associated with each of these methods.
Many people, especially women, are crazy about weight loss, and are always on the lookout for new techniques to lose those extra pounds and inches. Weight - the less of it, a problem and a little more of it, a problem again! Why does weight carry so much 'weight' in our life? Some are so obsessed with their weight, that they have nothing else on their mind! There are many examples of models wanting to get thin, indulging in crash diets, a popular weight loss method. Let alone models, you can find many people around you, who want to lose weight and are ready to put any amount of effort into it. Thus, there are many diets, medications and techniques available that help in extreme weight loss (apart from the conventional 'exercise and you lose weight' technique). This is favored by those who are desperate to get rid of extra pounds, and for whom the exercise and diet changes do not work.
Weight Loss Pills
The use of pills for the purpose of quick weight loss is controversial and unproven. Nevertheless, pills have been a favorite among people for the same reason. In the market, there are many pills marketed for guaranteed weight loss, but mostly the pills don't work. The pills, instead, may cause many side effects. Some pills might help you in curbing hunger. But as said earlier, they may prove harmful for the body. Taking diet pills gives way to side effects like headache, palpitation, nausea, hypertension, extreme thirst, depression and acne. So stay away from pills unless you are sure and have spoken to your doctor about the safety of pills.
Crash Diet
This is the most common technique that men and women follow if they're targeting quick weight loss. Crash diet, there is no need to explain it. It means going on a non-eating spree for weeks or months. Crash dieting will surely make you lose weight as the body wouldn't have any source of calories and energy, and so will use up the fat the body has accumulated. Crash dieting is not fun and almost restricts you from consuming food. The diet in this case includes no food at all or low carbohydrate food. People need to keep in mind that the body needs a daily amount of calories to function properly. If you do not consume enough food, you are sure to faint and feel exhausted at the end of the day. Dieting will make you weak and will cause much more harm than good.
Surgery
Surgery is another way to quickly lose a drastic amount of weight. Obese people who have huge amounts of belly fat (and who have thick pockets) generally opt for surgical methods to remove excess fat in the body. Bariatric surgery is one of the most popular surgeries that helps in getting rid of calories. Surgery is only considered, if there are other health problems in the person because of the huge weight. There are some surgeries that can limit the amount of food you can take in or digest. Surgery is accompanied by its own complications which can manifest in the form of infections and blood clots.
Conclusion
By now you must have understood that weight loss using the above three methods is not a good bet. Healthy weight loss is a slow process and is only possible through exercise and eating healthy food. The above methods do work in the long run, and so people should exercise daily and should follow a healthy diet. Following a proper diet rich in green leafy vegetables, vitamins and minerals, will surely benefit you in long-term weight loss. These measures, be it dieting, surgery or the use of pills, should be followed only under proper guidance and you should not indulge in anything by yourself. These methods are not proven or recommended, and it will be wise on your part to stay away from them.
Weight loss is not difficult if you have the will and are consistent in your approach. But I mention again, do not opt for any of the above methods, as they are not reliable and healthy. Even if you opt for them, follow the selected method under expert guidance only. You should maintain the right weight, based on your body needs, and should put in efforts to lose the unwanted fat.
By Hemangi Harankhedkar
Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/extreme-weight-loss.html