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Showing posts with label diet tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet tips. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

How to Lose Belly Fat with Home Remedies


There are many home remedies you can use to boost fat burn on your belly. Many of them will already be in your cupboard or refrigerator. The right foods can detox your liver and rev your metabolism, helping you to target belly fat. Belly fat is more than a cosmetic concern. It ups risk for a host of health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Consuming fat-burning foods and spices will put you well on your way to trading in that rubber tire in the middle for a sleek torso.

Step 1

Remove the things in your diet that stress your liver and lower your metabolism, and reduce your calorie intake. A stressed liver cannot properly metabolize fat, says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of "The Fat Flush Plan." Liver stressors include processed foods, too many carbohydrates in general, all forms of sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, trans fats and soda. Cut 500 to 1,000 calories from your daily diet to lose 1 to 2 lbs. weekly, the safest and longest-lasting weight loss rate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Step 2

Drink 100 percent cranberry juice or cran-water. Cranberries are high in organic acids that act as digestive enzymes. The enzymes work to gobble up little fatty deposits that get stuck in the lymphatics, Gittleman says. Mix a day's supply of cran-water with 8 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice and 56 oz. of water.

Step 3

Consume your omega-3 fatty acids. These target tummy fat, Gittleman says. Fish oil is one great source. Take 6g, which is an overflowing tablespoon, or eat salmon or mackerel twice a week. Also chomp on chia. This ancient super seed is high in protein, is a good source of B vitamins, has calcium and is a high source of antioxidants.

Step 4

Get gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) into your diet. GLA activates brown fat, often found in overweight people. Many people's bodies don't make GLA from its precursors-vegetable oils like safflower oil-so try a supplement. CLA aids the body in accessing and utilizing stored fat, particularly. This omega-6 fatty acid found in organic beef or can be taken as a supplement.

Step 5

Make monounsaturated fats another priority. MUFAs are omega-9 fatty acids that became important components of diet plans like the Flat Belly Diet following studies that show MUFAs rev body fat burn in the belly. MUFAs also are favored by the American Heart Association. The association recommends people replace trans and saturated fats with MUFAs. Cook with olive oil or try sunflower or safflower oil. Eat macadamia nuts, filberts, avocados and olives.

Step 6

Sip lemon or lime juice in hot water daily. These both invigorate the liver and help to liquefy fat, which aids in flushing it from your system more quickly. Getting enough water in general is important. Mild dehydration can cause your kidneys to call on your liver for help, reducing the liver's ability to burn fat. This can lead to fat deposits, often in the belly.

Step 7

Detox gently by drinking dandelion tea. Add 200mg each of milk thistle and the Oregon grape root to further detox. These supplements are gentle enough to use every day, Gittleman says.

Step 8

Eat thermogenic spices to rev metabolism including cayenne and ginger. Consume cinnamon as well as cloves and cardamom to stabilize blood sugar.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Easy Portion Control


For easy portion control, use the healthy plate model to plan your meals. The healthy plate provides a filling meal with adequate but not excessive calories - all while balancing your meal and providing good nutrition. To build a healthy plate:

  • Split your plate into quarters.
  • Half of your plate will consist of non-starchy vegetables (greens, asparagus, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.).
  • One quarter of your plate will consist of about 3-4 ounces of lean protein (tofu, beef, fish, chicken, etc.).
  • On the last quarter, place your starch. Starches are usually about half a cup and include foods like pasta, rice, corn, beans, peas, etc.

On the side of your plate, add a small fruit (about a cup worth) and a fat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt. You can also add a small amount of fat (oil, butter, salad dressing), but a serving size is typically 1 teaspoon (for approximately 45 calories).

fish_with_vegetables.jpg

Sometimes you may eat something different than what is described on the health plate. Some foods are very high in calories, and even eating what is described as one serving can add up - especially condiments like salad dressing, mayonnaise, sour cream, and oils. If you aren't sure how much you should eat, tracking your intake and comparing it to your calorie goals for the day will help you determine what size will be appropriate for you. To start tracking your intake, go to FitDay's free diet and weight loss journal. If you are trying to lose weight, keep in mind that research shows that people who track what they eat will lose twice as much weight as people who do not keep track of what they eat.

If something you eat comes in a package, check the food label. The most important part of the food label is the serving size. Take a look at this and compare it to your calorie goal to see if this food fits into your eating plan.

Here are some other tips for easy portion control:
  1. When eating at home, use small plates.
  2. Drink 2 glasses of water before each meal.
  3. Fill up on high-fiber foods (5 grams or more per serving).
  4. When out to eat, split a meal with a friend.
  5. Alternatively, when you order, ask your waiter box up half of your meal. Take the remainder home to eat at another time.
  6. Eat slowly - be the last one at the table to finish your meal.
  7. Include plenty of non-starchy vegetables in each meal (they are high in water and fiber).
  8. If making large portions of food at home, freeze leftovers for an easy meal later.
  9. Don't eat in front of the TV or while doing distracting activities like working or reading.
  10. Don't go into a meal starving. If you anticipate going more than 4-5 hours without food, have a snack on hand.

fiber_rich_foods.jpg


http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/the-10-easy-steps-to-weight-loss.html?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=

Friday, March 23, 2012

7 SIMPLE Ways to Cut Calories (without counting foods!)

It’s easy to lose weight.

Eat less than you burn.

But general weight loss isn’t what we’re after — it’s actually fat loss. So preserving as much muscle as possible (or gaining) while losing fat. And it is possible to gain muscle and lose fat simultaneously.

So then it gets a bit more "technical" — sure, you can lose weight by eating just 1 Snickers bar each day; however, the quality of the weight lost is not anything most would want. Who wants to be a skinny person without any burn fat without dietingmuscle or tone whatsoever?

Without getting into those technicalities in today’s blog, we wanted to highlight some simple ways to cut calories … without counting foods, weighing foods, measuring foods … or, really, making any tough changes at all!

Here it goes.

  1. Eat with your non dominant hand. Simple, right? So if you’re right handed eat only with your left or vice versa. Why this works…it slows you down. And the more slowly you eat, the less you’ll eat. Pretty simple and pretty straightforward. Here’s another benefit — it will work your brain more, which is never a bad thing. Give it a try!
  2. Don’t let your foods touch on your plate. OK, this isn’t some weird OCD thing. It’s all about portion control. Like I said, not changing WHAT you’re eating … this one simply helps you cut down the amount you’re eating. And that’s a fantastic first step with changing behavior.
  3. Put your fork down between every bite. Similar to the first suggestion, this allows you to slow down when you’re eating. It takes around 15-20 minutes for your brain to sense that it’s full … well if you’re inhaling your food, you’ll eat way more than you need to within that time frame. Let your brain tell you you’re satisfied before your stomach "tells you" you’ve eaten way too much and feel sick.
  4. Chew your food more. We have a Medical Dictionary in our office from 1903. In there they suggest chewing each bite 39 times. My grandpa used to always say chew it 54 times (granted, he had no teeth). But chewing each bite more will not only allow you to better taste the food, but it will also have the added benefit of slowing you down when eating. A win win. So now that you’re putting your fork down between bites, you’ll have time to chew each bite more thoroughly.
  5. Power down. This is one of our biggest pet peeves — cell phones at the table, particularly when people are merely at the table together but not even close to engaged because their eyes are buried in their phones. But aside from that, when you’re distracted you eat more. Whether it’s your phone, a book, or the TV … distracted eaters eat more. Instead, fully engage with the person (or people) at the table with no other distractions. We have a habit every night of asking Ella what the best part of her day was. Now, granted she’s not quite 3 yet but she still often gives a legit answer — playing, jumping on her trampoline, hitting her sister (yes, that was an answer one night — but we’ll keep trying) etc. And we’ll keep asking that until she moves out, even if as a teenager she thinks it’s silly.
  6. START your meal with salad. At restaurants there’s always a bread basket at the table. But if that was swapped with salad … or when you’re home start each meal with a salad, you’ll eat less overall. Granted that salad can’t be loaded with cheese, creamy dressings and bacon … but that’s a different issue. Veggies take up lots of room in your stomach (a good thing) so you eat less of the "heavier" calories.
  7. Make veggies or fruit the biggest part of your meal. Enjoying stir fry? Great — use veggies as the base, add your protein on top and whatever else. Want oatmeal in the AM? Fill the bowl with berries, first, then add the cooked oatmeal on top of that. See how this works? Again, the veggies and fruit then becomes the main part of the meal and the rest just fills in the gaps.

There you have it. Seven simple ways to cut calories … yet we didn’t ask you to weigh or measure one single food item. Easy, right? Give it a whirl.

How to Lose Weight Without Counting Calories


We all know that to lose weight, we need... .to burn more calories than we eat, so counting calories makes sense when trying to lose or maintain weight. The problem is, counting calories can often be very time-consuming and overwhelming. Plus, I find that when people count calories, they often become so focused on the number of calories that they forget to pay attention to other important things like the nutritional value of those calories. So rather than always counting, I like to use other strategies to keep me on track--here are a few of my favorites.
  • Downsizing Dishes: In the nutrition world, a standard dinner plate is 9 inches across; however, most modern flatware is much bigger than that. Often times the salad plates are closer to the appropriate size than the dinner plates. That's why regularly in my meal posts, you see that I am eating off of a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. Plus, studies show that if food is on our plate, we are probably going to eat all of it. Therefore, if we start with a smaller plate, we will probably end up eating less overall.
  • Filling Up on Fruits and Veggies: We all know how important fruits and veggies are in a healthy diet, and yet most of us still don't eat enough. Five fruits/veggies a day is actually the minimum, and it is easier than you think to meet your produce quota. I like to try to have at least 1 fruit/veggie with breakfast and lunch, 2 with supper, and 1 with a snack most days. Another way to make sure you are getting enough is to fill half your plate with fruits/veggies at every meal. Produce is generally so low in calories, it's a great way to keep in check while also getting plenty of nutrients.
  • Paying Attention to Portions: Portion control is key when it comes to losing or maintaining weight. Even with healthy foods, it is easy to overdo our portions if we aren't careful. I recommend keeping several sets of measuring cups on hand to measure out cereals, nuts, snacks, and more. For comfort foods like mashed potatoes, chili, casseroles, pasta and more, use the measuring cup as a serving utensil to scoop the right size portion right onto your plate. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a half cup portion for sides or a one cup to 1.5 cup portion for main dishes.
  • Last, but not least, make sure you are only eating when you are truly physically hungry. If you find yourself eating for other reasons (because you are bored, stressed, etc.) make sure to identify those reasons and have a plan for how you can deal with them in a healthy way without food, such as taking a walk, calling a friend, getting a bubble bath, or even just taking a few deep breaths.

If you remember to use smaller dishes, eat plenty of produce, pay attention to portions, handle cravings in a healthy way, and only eat when you are truly hungry, you can put down the calculator and stop counting calories while still staying fit.


http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme/2011/10/lose-weight-without-counting-calories.html

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

8 Insider Tips That Can Help You Burn Fat Faster


8 Insider Tips That Can Help You Burn Fat Faster

By Whitney Provost





While there's no magic fat-loss fairy who'll grant your wishes overnight, there are a few proven techniques you can use to boost your results and lose weight faster. Check 'em out.

Burn more fat during your workouts

  1. Crank up the intensity early. A study from the College of New Jersey found that people who work out harder during the first half of their workouts and ease up a bit in the second half burn up to 23 percent more fat than people who start out slowly. What does this mean for you? After you warm up (never neglect this or you may end up injured), bump up your workout intensity and give it your all. You don't have to pace yourself so you can make it all the way through; take breaks as necessary later in your workout.
  2. HIIT it hard. By now, you've probably heard that the one of the most effective ways to burn fat is with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This involves short intervals of maximum intensity cardio, followed by intervals of low intensity cardio or rest. Researchers at Laval University in Quebec have discovered that people who do HIIT can lose three times as much fat as those who do steady-state moderate cardio. Try TurboFire® for fun, high-energy HIIT workouts that'll have you dripping with sweat and burning major calories.
  3. Woman Lifting WeightLift heavier weights for fewer reps. Boost your metabolism long after your workout by training with heavy weights. As researchers at the Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education have learned, the heavier you lift, the greater the rise in your metabolic rate and the longer the boost will last. The result? Increased fat loss. For amazing body-reshaping results, try ChaLEAN Extreme®, P90X®, or RevAbs®.

    Special note for women: Don't be afraid to increase the size of your dumbbells! You don't have enough testosterone to bulk up like the Incredible Hulk, and a lean, strong body will help you burn calories around the clock. Plus toned and shapely muscles look beautiful and give your body symmetry. Still not convinced? Read my related Beachbody® newsletter article, "10 Reasons Women Need to Lift Weights."
  4. Lift lighter weights for more reps. Wait . . . what? Didn't I just tell you that you have to lift heavier to burn more fat? It's true that training with heavy weights for fewer reps will burn more calories post-workout and give your physique a much more dramatic transformation. But there's also a benefit to using lighter weights at higher reps. For one, you burn a lot of calories during your workout. And if you're very out of shape or haven't lifted weights in a while, going lighter will help you condition your muscles and joints and help you prevent injuries. Start with programs like Slim in 6®, Power 90®, or Brazil Butt Lift® until you're ready to progress to heavier weights.
  5. Stay in shape. Once you become physically fit, keep it up. The more active you are, the better your body is at burning fat. According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, you can avoid regaining belly fat by exercising as few as 80 minutes per week. Keep stoking your fat-burning furnace with regular exercise and good nutrition, and you'll be lean for life.

Let your kitchen help you burn fat

  1. Spoonful of Omega-3 CapsulesGet your omega-3s. Fish and fish-oil supplements are helpful fat-burners because of their high levels of omega-3 fats. Two recent studies in Iceland and Australia demonstrated that people who consume fish oil burn more fat than people who don't. Additionally, the Australian study showed that when fish oil is combined with exercise, the results were even better. To promote fat loss, take one or two Core Omega-3™ capsules with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  2. Don't cut calories too quickly. You know that in order to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories. But dropping them too quickly can cause your metabolism to slow down, because your body thinks it's starving and desperately holds onto fat. A dramatic reduction in calories can also lead to what author Martha Beck calls "famine brain," a condition in which your poor starved brain starts to freak out and all you can think about is food until you go nuts and eat everything in sight. The stress makes you much more likely to binge and end up fatter than ever. So what's the easiest way to cut calories gradually and keep your sanity?

    Start by swapping your usual breakfast for Shakeology®. It's only 140 to 150 calories and tastes great, and you can add healthy ingredients like milk or a dab of peanut butter and still keep the total calorie count low. Next, try cutting your total calorie intake by 250 calories per day. Give it a couple of weeks and see if you like the results. If you're losing weight, stick with it, and if not, cut out another 250 calories and reevaluate a couple of weeks later. If you're already doing everything else I've mentioned in this article, you shouldn't have to starve yourself to lose weight.
  3. Green TeaDrink green tea. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the catechins—antioxidant flavonoid compounds—found in green tea may stimulate the body's fat-burning activity. You'll get the most benefits from about 4 cups of green tea per day, but if you don't want to drink that much, green tea extract supplements appear to have similar benefits. It's kind of cool to think that you might be able to relax with a cup of green tea and burn fat at the same time!

Give these tips a try, and let us know how they work for you.


http://www.beachbody.com/product/p90x-online/nl/p90xnl_101.do#

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Eat the Foods You Love Diet


Have you ever thought about eating everything that you want to and still being able lose weight?

I am sure many of us have, but we all know what we need to do. For weight loss, we need to focus on fruits and vegetables and limit our overall calorie intake.

But, what if you could still shed some pounds while eating foods you enjoy?

A diet-blog reader commented on a post saying he eats what he loves and he has never had a weight problem. This struck me as a key idea that we all need to remember. Long term success of maintaining a healthy weight is often due to having a healthy relationship with food, enjoying what you eat, but not overdoing it either.

This is a hard concept to grasp for many people because food is tied to emotion, mood, stress, a person's schedule, and habits. But, I believe that everyone can get to a point where you enjoy food and do not have to worry about weight gain.

Top 5 Tips for Achieving This Success:

  • 80% of the time it is important to eat clean and healthy. The other 20% of the time, it is OK to feel as if you are indulging.
  • Research has shown that some of the best long term weight loss comes from cutting only 200 calories from your diet per day. This is low enough to trick the brain into still feeling satisfied while it is just enough to cause gradual weight loss.
  • Portion size is crucial for long term success. Re-evaluate your mealtime and snack-time portions. Even if you have chosen a richer food, focus on keeping your portion of that food smaller in comparison to other foods on your plate.
  • The first few bites of any food are going to be the best tasting bites. Only put a few spoonfuls of the higher calorie foods on your plate to help keep yourself satisfied without loading up on calories.
  • Learn to love your fruits and vegetables. Sometimes we get stuck in a boring routine of cooking the same vegetables and fruits. Shop in season and be open to trying new produce. This will help keep those nutritious and waistline friendly foods delicious and exciting.

http://www.diet-blog.com/11/eat_the_foods_you_love_diet.php