Want to know how to lose weight fast? Are you looking for the fastest and safest way to lose weight with no side effects? If so, you have landed at the right place to find all the solutions to your weight loss challenges. According to studies conducted, 95% of people who make a resolution of losing weight fast in a particular year fail to do so. Furthermore, the 5% that are able to lose weight in that one year gain all or some within a 5 year period.
However, excessive body weight contributed to a number of serious health risks. That’s why, to help you, we have put together some great tips and guide lines on how to lose weight fast and easily without taking any diet pills.
Most Important Things You Should Know Before Losing Your Weight
Things you need to know about a good sleep
A good night sleep can be said to be the unsung hero of losing weight. Many people do not know the crucial role a good night sleep plays especially when it comes to weight loss. Lack of a good night sleep affects the decision center of your brain. This leads you to make bad decisions and that is why it is hard to say no to a second slice of cake, fast foods on offer or sugary soft drinks.
Having a good night sleep ensures your body and mind gets the much needed sleep allowing you to make better decisions. There is a direct connection between the amount of sleep one gets and overall exercise performance.
When you don’t have a good night sleep, you will find it difficult to maintain your usual level of exercise. Sleep is an important component that enables your body to recover after exercises and fat burning too. Getting quality sleep keeps you on track especially when it comes to working out in order to lose weight. You will get to train within the recommended time eliminating the chance of over-training.
This is why experts recommend that you should have 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. A good night sleep will allow you to battle food cravings, feel better, think clearer and be much stronger.
Exercise vs. Diet: which is more important for weight loss?
Yes, you can lose weight with a diet alone but this is not good for the overall look and health of your body. When it comes to weight loss, majority of people believe that cutting calorie intake is the fastest way to losing weight.
Experts claim that in order to lose weight fast and safely, you need to engage 70% diet and 30% workout. This can be disputed by others but what remains true is that exercises and diets need to work together to ensure effective weight loss.
Combining exercises and diets helps to give you an amazing body physique which is coupled with a healthy weight. Working out at the gym or at home helps to tone your muscle which is essential especially after losing weight.
For starters, it helps to eliminate sagging skin. This is achieved by toning muscles themselves as fat is burned away. It is important to remember that leading a healthy lifestyle is more than just numbers on your bathroom scale. Also, losing weight alone does not mean you are a healthy person and this is why it is important to incorporate both exercises and dietary changes.
Why Protein Is Good for Weight Loss?
According to a study undertaken by John Hopkins University, it was found out that a diet rich in protein especially lean protein helps to lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, obesity, osteoporosis and diabetes. What you need to know is that the moment protein rich foods leave your fork; they begin to work towards a lead body.
Protein rich foods are known to take more time when it comes to digestion, metabolism and use. This contributes to the burning of more calories. Your body turns to fat stored around the thighs, waist and hips to convert it into energy finally powering different body functions. This leads to weight loss as time goes by allowing you to attain the ideal weight. Since it takes longer to leave the stomach, it makes one to feel full sooner and for a long period of time.
As a result of this, protein acts as an appetite suppressant to lose weight quickly. It prevents you from over eating as well as consuming fast foods and sugary soft drinks. These have been known to contribute to weight gain leading to obesity. Furthermore, protein ensures that you are able to burn fat only and not muscle. Your body is able to use the protein nutrient in the repair and generation of new muscle tissue.
The truth about carbs
When you eat a diet packed with the right carbs, you will be on your way to achieving a slim figure. Studies conducted by experts have revealed that resistant starch helps one eat less and burn more calories. What is resistant starch? This is a type of starch that is not fully broken down and absorbed in the body but is converted into short chain fatty acids by the intestinal bacteria. The powerful impact it has on weight loss is great thanks to its ability in resisting digestion in the body. This helps to increase the body’s ability to burn fat by acting as an appetite suppressor reducing overall hunger. There are several benefits associated with resistant starch and they include:
a. Improved blood sugar control
b. Boosted immunity
c. Reduced cancer risk
Experts have found out that resistant starch is bulky and as a result, it takes up more space in the digestive system. This eliminates the chances of it being absorbed into the blood stream which means it bypasses the fate of other carbs which are converted as body fat. Foods belonging to this group include beans, whole wheat bread, pasta, brown rice, barley, corn, potatoes, yams, beets and artichoke hearts.
Most Effective Exercises to Lose Weight Fast
Every single person has that one friend who enjoys eating all types of food and is still able to maintain a healthy weight. What many people don’t know is that this does not happen as a result of magic or other tricks. It takes dedication and discipline. For everyone else, they have to contend with hours of working out at the gym. Despite the time and effort invested in working out at the gym, fat does not evacuate from the body quickly as you may want.
When this happens, people automatically pinpoint what they eat as the cause. What everyone seems to forget is that one may be engaging workouts that are not effective. According to fitness experts, to effectively lose weight, you need to engage every part of the body. There is no single workout designed to exercise every single part of the body. Different routines are needed to help tone and burn fat from the body. So, it’s time to dust off those workout clothes and engage in the following exercises.
Jogging:
According to health experts, jogging has been found to burn 600 calories every hour. Furthermore, it helps to build strong bones, connective tissues, improved heart health which prevents emergence of heart diseases, stroke and cancer.
The best thing about jogging is that equipment required is easy to acquire. All you need is a good pair of running shoes, workout clothes, an MP3 player or smartphone with your favorite tunes and your chosen route. The best pair of shoes will protect your feet and joints while also giving you that motivation and stamina required to complete the run. This is complimented by your iPod, workout clothes and smartphone with your favorite playlist.
Jogging has been found to help in calorie burning, improves your resting metabolism as well as increasing your muscle mass. Before you begin your jog, stretch your limbs. Start by bringing your knees high above ground or walk a few minutes before beginning.
Dancing:
Dancing is an effective way of eliminating the sedentary lifestyle allowing you to be active as well as being able to lose weight. The best thing about dancing is that you can do it on your own, with a group or with a partner. There are hundreds of moves and styles which means, you can never be bored. Furthermore, you will get to exercise different parts of your body allowing you to lose weight effectively.
Dancing is one of the best ways to stay active and fit which has led every fitness club to offer dance classes. It can be done competitively or socially and is great for any age. The gear used for dancing depends with the dance. If you want to engage in tap dancing, you need to buy tap shoes and if its ballet, you need ballet slippers and clothing. Here are types of dances you can engage in: ballet, belly dancing, hip hop, jazz, pole dancing, salsa, ballroom dancing, square dancing and tap dancing.
Inverted V Pipe Exercise:
This is one of the best mat exercises for abs as it helps to burn fat around the mid-section. In order to perform this exercise, you need a floor towel as this will allow smooth movement of your body. Begin by placing your toes on the floor towel and place your hands on the ground finally balancing your body. Pull your legs close to your body making an inverted V shape. Proceed to push the legs away from your hands by stretching backwards. Complete by pulling and pushing your legs in and out for 30 seconds. This exercise will not only allow you to lose weight but it will focus on your core, abs and lower back.
Exercising at the gym is a great and faster way of achieving your weight loss goal. While it can be frustrating making you to feel conscious and shy, it can also be fun especially when working out with a gym buddy. This will ensure you stay motivated during the whole experience allowing you to have a fit body in the end.
According to health experts, it is important not to over train. In order for your body to benefit from different workouts, it is important to have a routine. One of the exercises to incorporate in your daily routine is Inverted V Pipe Exercise.
Skipping Exercise:
Jumping rope is one of the most common activities that is not only done in playgrounds around the world but also in homes and fitness clubs. The exercise is highly preferred by body building experts as it helps to warm up the muscles before beginning the main workout. When it comes to weight loss, skipping rope has been identified as a calorie burner.
The best thing about skipping rope is that the equipment is cheap (jumping rope), it fits anywhere, can be used by all family members and can be done in almost all locations. When jumping rope, you are able to put direct stress on the knees, ankles and hips. When done properly, it has a great impact on the lower part of the body than jogging.
In order to have a great skipping exercise experience you need to:
a. Adjust the rope by holding onto the handles
b. Shorten the rope according to your height
c. Wear fitting athletic shoes
Benefits of skipping rope include
i. Builds agility and quickness
ii. Helps to increase bone density
iii. Improves your brain
iv. Helps to burn calories promoting weight loss
v. Its affordable and portable
Cardio:
If you have a sedentary job, then you probably experience one of the following at the end of the day: tight muscles, aching back, exhaustion and weight gain. According to studies, cardio workout has been identified as the best for weight loss. A study conducted by Duke University revealed that cardio workout leads to 67% burning of calories. This is more than what resistance training is able to achieve.
The term cardio is derived from the word cardiovascular which is a word that references the circulatory system in the body which consists of the heart and blood vessels. Cardio is known to be good for your heart, lungs and other organs. Due to the many movements associated with cardio, the body produces endorphins which enable you to cope with stress.
It also stimulates your heart rate and breathing rate allowing you to sustain the strain associated with working out. There are several exercises that are grouped under the word cardio. They include swimming, running, dancing, cycling and other aerobic exercises in a fitness club. Benefits of cardio include:
i. Promotes weight loss
ii. Increases bone density
iii. Reduces stress levels
iv. Acts as a temporary relief from depression and anxiety
v. Promotes a good night sleep
vi. Increases energy levels
vii. Boosts one’s confidence
Push-ups:
Did you know that a set of 50 push-ups will help you burn 100 calories easily? Push-ups have been described as an effective exercise especially when it comes to strengthening your core, abs, chest, shoulders, triceps, lower back and glutes. What you need to know is that strong muscles help to ramp up fat burning giving your body a fit and toned appearance. You don’t need any equipment when it comes to performing push-ups. All you need is an exercise mat and space that measures 4 feet (w) by 6 feet (l).
When it comes to performing push-ups, you have to do them slowly. Doing them quickly will result in your muscles not gaining anything and furthermore, you will place yourself at risk of injuries.
To perform push-ups, you need to lie down on your stomach. Your hands should be on your side with your palms firmly on the ground. Lift your body from the ground and support it with your palms and the tips of your toes. Lower your body to the ground but do not touch the ground. Lift your body again and repeat for good measure. If it’s your first time, begin with 10 reps. Increase the reps as time goes by. If you experience pain around the wrists, ball your fingers into fists and support your body on your knuckles.
Crunch:
If you are looking for an exercise routine that not only helps you to lose weight but also promotes six pack abs, crunches are the answer. Crunches are a lot like sit ups but instead of having your back on the floor, you will be lifting your upper back. Thanks to this move, your abdominal muscles will be isolated without engaging the muscles around your hips. There are various forms of crunches and they include:
a. Reverse crunches
b. Twist crunches
c. Side crunches
d. Cable crunches
Before engaging in the above advanced techniques, it is important to begin with the basic crunches. Begin by lying flat on your back with your hands by your side. Bend your knees so that they form a V shape. Cross your arms on your chest and proceed to lift your upper body. Lift and lower your body for a number of reps. To increase resistance, you can rest your hands at the back of your head or neck. Remember, never lower your body very quickly. Relax your abs.
Most Effective Nutrition Tips To Lose Weight Fast
Habits and cravings are the devil that fights every weight loss effort which includes dieting and working out. It is very easy to grab fast foods and sugary soft drinks than preparing a healthy meal composed of protein, vitamins, resistant starch, minerals and water. This has been found to contribute to weight gain which is contrary to what you want – fat burning and muscle toning. In order to stay motivated and deal with cravings, here are the most effective nutrition tips to lose weight fast.
Don’t skip breakfast:
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it help to rejuvenate your energy levels but it also helps with your weight loss efforts. In order to promote fat burning, you need to consume breakfast that is composed of protein, good carbs, vitamins and minerals.
Skipping breakfast will not help you to lose weight. It will actually lead you to crave causing you to snack on fast foods. This will result in weight gain and not weight loss. Eat your breakfast every morning as it will boost your metabolism and suppress your appetite promoting fat burning.
In a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, experts analyzed the effects of eating different types of breakfast foods. The sample consisted of 36 overweight participants and the study lasted four weeks. During this time, experts discovered that people who did not consume breakfast lose weight unlike those who consumed breakfast. Further studies by a different group of experts disputed the previous study and found out that eating certain types of foods during breakfast helps to boost weight loss. Breakfast consumption is associated with favorable nutrient intake compared to nutrient intakes from other meals.
Starting your day with a breakfast rich in lean protein, fiber, vitamins, natural sugar, good carbohydrates and fat helps to set the tone for an energetic and balanced day. This is because you will not be famished leading you to consume foods rich in unsaturated fats, unhealthy carbs and sugar. Here are foods approved for consumption during breakfast. They include oatmeal, raspberries, plain yoghurt, peanut butter, eggs, wild salmon, chicken breast, cottage cheese, fruits and sweet potatoes among others. These foods are rich in fiber, natural sugar, omega 3 fats, vitamin and minerals. Foods to avoid include pastries, cakes, donuts, bagels, bacon, sausages, high sugar cereals, pop tarts and breakfast bars among others.
Eat regular meals:
Just like skipping breakfast is frowned upon, you need not to skip other meals. Yes, fasting is great especially on religious grounds but when it comes to weight loss; it will have a negative effect on your body. It is important to eat your regular meals. If you are used to having three to four meals, then you need to continue with the routine. How do you lose weight? The one mistake everyone makes is portion sizes. When you serve and eat a lot, it leads to weight gain. If you eat the right portion, you boost metabolism which leads to fat burning and weight loss.
Take 20 Minutes To Eat Your Meals:
Around the world, there are families which sit down together and have a meal that lasts for hours. They get to share stories, eat and drink into the night. In other countries, most meals last less than 10 minutes with some meals like breakfast and lunch lasting only 2 minutes. When you eat your food too fast, you end up over eating. When you take 20 minutes or more to eat your meal, it promotes weight loss by making you full so you end up eating less.
Shop The Perimeter Of The Grocery Store:
The one thing many people have never realized is that aisles in a supermarket are arranged according to a psychology theory. Ever wondered why snacks and other junk foods are located conveniently close to the door while fresh foods are either located at the far end or around the perimeter. The idea behind this is to entice you to shop more junk food before buying fresh food. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fish are located.
Healthy eating isn’t expensive, it’s all about calculations, smart shopping, and of course planning ahead of time.
Here’s a basic grocery list
Proteins:-Chicken breasts, Chicken thighs, Beef flank steak/porter house/round, Eggs, Almonds and Milk.
Carbs:-Mixed beans (kidney, chickpeas),Long grain white rice, Whole meal bread, Potatoes, Oats, Toasted Muesli
Veggies:-Broccoli,Broccolinis,Asparagus,Zucchini,Eggplants,Spinach,Mushrooms
Snacking stuff:-Yogurt Fruits (apples, watermelon, strawberries…)
Sauces and spices:-Nando’s peri peri (the hot stuff),Dark soy sauce (salt reduced),Stir in pastes (preferably Thai flavors), Coriander, Basil, Garam masala (I’m desi after all)
All sorts of Chili, garlic, ginger, parsley, thyme/rosemary flakes (we love stocking up on dried herbs)Lemons, Sea Salt, black pepper, Grape seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil cooking spray
Avoid Extreme Low Calorie Diets:
So, a friend told you that another friend of yours lost weight by engaging in a particular extreme low calorie diet that a certain TV personality has been promoting as effective against weight loss. What you need to know is that extreme low calorie diets are not good for your health. This is because you will be depriving your body off useful nutrients that not only promote good health but fat burning too. There are side effects associated with consumption of low calorie diet and they include fatigue, constipation, nausea and diarrhea.
Drink Your Coffee Black:
A cup of Joe every morning is a routine many people can never put off. Not only does it provide the much needed caffeine boost that everyone wants to get through the day but it also imparts other health benefits. The one problem is many people opt to add other things into their coffee making it less beneficial.
If you want to lose weight or gain the full benefits of coffee, start taking your cup of Joe black. Why, you may ask? It contains fewer calories, boosts your metabolism, reduces risk of certain types of cancer and helps to flush toxins of your system.
Say No To The Bread Basket:
If you are planning to lose weight, eating out will become a fight of will power over desire. At your restaurant table, you will be served with bread basket first as you wait for your meal. The question is do you eat the bread as you await your food? It is important to avoid eating the bread basket as this will contribute to weight gain and not weight loss. Opt for a healthy snack like nuts or olives which are rich in fiber and will boost your metabolism.
Order Grilled, Not Fried:
What you need to know is that cooking methods have a great impact on the quality of food you consume. Frying and grilling are popular cooking methods that feature in most homes. When it comes to ordering or preparing food at home, grilled food should be preferred over fried food. Grilling uses thermal radiation while frying results in dipping of food in hot oil. Due to the use of oil and fat when frying, the quality of food drops resulting in weight gain when eaten.
Our Effective Diet Plan To Lose Weight Fast
Today, a day cannot end without you reading or watching about the latest diet fad that is helping celebrities to achieve a slim and curvy. This may well be a marketing gimmick but there could be some truth behind it. It is important not to assume a particular diet will not work just because another one did not and was represented by the said celebrities.
If you are looking for a great way to lose weight without you engaging in a lot of exercise routines, then engaging a meaningful diet is the right way to go. The best thing about meaningful diets is that you don’t have to starve yourself or skip certain meals in a day. Furthermore, you don’t have to consume extremely low calorie diets as this has been found to have side effects on the user. For example fatigue, weight gain and diarrhea. This is not what you want.
The best diet for you should be safe and offer the advertised results in the end. Furthermore, it should not have any side effects that will cause harm to your health. Remember, the objective here is to lose weight and not be hospitalized. Here is a simple diet that will help you lose 10 pounds within no time.
Pre-breakfast
When you wake every morning, you probably start your day by either brushing your teeth or with a morning cup of coffee. While brushing your teeth is good for your dental health, drinking a cup of coffee as part of your breakfast is not good for your health. You need to change your morning routine if you want to lose weight fast and improve your health too.
Before you start your breakfast, you need to have a pre-breakfast drink. The purpose for doing so is to help with the cleansing and purification of your body. This means, you will get to flush toxins from your body finally boosting your metabolism which helps with fat burning.
Your pre-breakfast remedy should include fresh lemon and a glass of cold water. Squeeze the lemon juice in the glass of cold water and drink it on an empty stomach. Once you have drunk the mixture, you need to wait 30 minutes before taking your breakfast.
If you skip this pre-breakfast routine, your body will be laden with toxins and furthermore, the gut bacteria will not do its work which is boosting your metabolism. This ultimately results in weight gain over a period of time. Remember, this routine should be done every morning if you want to experience effective weight loss.
Breakfast
It is a common misconception that skipping breakfast will help you lose weight. As said earlier, it is a misconception because skipping breakfast will actually promote weight gain and not weight loss.
When you skip breakfast as a result of being in a hurry to work or just a way of losing weight, you deprive your body of useful nutrients. These nutrients not only aid with the growth and development of the body but they also boost your energy levels allowing you to be focused at work or school.
When you skip breakfast with the notion that you will shed a few pounds, you will end up craving for food as you will be hungry before noon. What will you do? Buy a burger, pizza, fries and sugary soft drink in order to satisfy your hunger. These foods are full of unsaturated fats, bad starch and sugar. They will contribute to weight gain as fat will be stored in the body.
You have probably read or heard a few of your friends saying that eating fruits the whole day will ensure that you are able to reap all their health benefits. According to nutritionists, eating fruits during breakfast is highly recommended than other time of the day. This is because fruit is rich in natural sugars and this is distributed in the body providing the much needed energy to kick start your day. What should you eat? Take two oranges, two apples, a large grape fruit, two pears, a handful of hazelnuts, almonds or nuts.
Lunch
It is common to find workers eating at their workstations because they are busy and want to complete deadlines before the end of the day. For management, lunch offers a perfect opportunity to complete that deal with a client(s) you met in the morning and need to impress them. Eating out during lunch presents a great problem as you will get to eat meals rich in sugar, fat, oil and additives.
Furthermore, eating at your work station gives your body the chance of converting food eaten into fat which results in weight gain. It is important to take a lunch break and eat food that not only promotes weight loss but helps to keep you focused for the rest of the day. So, what should you eat during lunch?
If you are planning to eat, it is preferable if you select fish, chicken or lean beef. These choices contain the best nutrients that not only promote weight loss but improve your metabolism and keep you satisfied. Lean beef, chicken and fish are rich in protein, omega 3 fats and oil. This is beneficial in that it improves brain function, lowers risk of stroke and dementia. You can drink two cups of sour milk or plain yoghurt with your lunch. It is important to limit your side dish and avoid creamy salads at all costs. Add a few veggies with your meat.
Dinner
When it comes to dinner, it is very easy to over indulge or consume foods that will contribute to weight gain. Many people may opt to order in and the choice is usually not healthy. Pizza is the main meal which is accompanied with sugary soft drinks. While ordering in offers a simple way of having dinner especially if you are tired from work or school, the food and drinks lack useful nutrients.
Since dinner is your last meal of the day and you will not be using a lot of energy, it is wise to consume foods that include eggs, vegetables and lean meat prepared with olive oil. The perfect simple meal can include two hard boiled eggs, green salad with olive oil.
The meal should also be consumed before 6 pm. This gives your body ample time to digest the food which means your sleep will not be disrupted and no fat will be stored. With this in mind, you probably are wondering how you will survive without eating after 6 pm? This is where the real test comes in. The one thing you need to know is that hunger should not be a worry to you as protein takes long to digest so it will keep you satisfied until you go to bed.
Post dinner
After eating dinner, you may want to take something just before you head to bed. This does mean that you should go for a slice of cake or pizza. Instead, you need to prepare green tea. Prepare one liter of water with 4 bags of green tea and once it is ready, drink before heading to bed. Remember, you don’t have to drink the whole brew. A cup will be enough.
Motivational Tips To Lose Weight Fast
Here is a simple secret to successful weight loss – your attitude makes the difference. If you want to attain a slim figure and ideal weight, you need to wake up and take action. Weight loss is a serious business and you need to be serious from the word go if you want to attain the desired results. So, how do you burn fat and attain that desired slim figure? Here are motivational tips to lose weight fast.
1. Set realistic goals
The first step towards achieving weight loss is setting realistic goals. Why realistic goals? Unattainable goals will disappoint you as you will not be able to achieve the desired results according to the set time frame. For example setting a goal of losing 30 pounds in a few months is not right.
The first goal should be centered on your health. This is important as you need to consume foods which impart good nutrients in your body. This will not only help in promoting your metabolism but will ensure proper nourishment of the organs and your body. The second goal you need to set should involve sensible eating strategies. This will help with fat burning as the food will act like an appetite suppressor. Furthermore, setting a simple goal like losing 5 pounds in a few months will set you on the right path.
Why are goals important to you? First of all, they act as motivators. A goal provides you with a mission which means you have no choice but to meet it. Secondly, a goal acts as a guide especially when it comes to sensible food strategies.
For example, if you plan what should be eaten before breakfast, during breakfast, during lunch, during dinner and after dinner, your body will be nourished well. Furthermore, your metabolism will be boosted which will impact positively on fat burning allowing you to lose weight and attain your goal. Lastly, goals help you to countermand setbacks. When you begin the journey towards weight loss, expect setbacks on the way. Temptations will be there but letting them become an excuse will hinder your progress. For example, you have portioned your meals but suddenly hunger pangs tempt you to eat more. This is one example that will hinder your weight loss progress.
2. Track Your Body Stats
Now that you have set realistic goals, you need to track your body stats. As you proceed with the different weight loss strategies, your body will undergo many changes. From reduced weight to improved health, these changes need to be recorded. The reason for doing so is to ensure that every implemented strategy works and if it does not work, you can switch to another.
There are several things you need to record for example your weight, hips, waist, chest, knees, thighs, calves, upper arm, forearms and bicep measurements. Your general health should also be recorded so as to ensure that your body does not suffer from lack of vital nutrients. In order to successfully track your body stats, you need the following:
a. Non stretchable tape
b. Bathroom weight scale
c. Notebook and pen
Start by creating a simple record sheet which will include all the above measurements and more. At the end of each day, you need to take the necessary measurements and record them. During the start of your weight loss program, your record will be disappointing but as time goes by, you will get to be encouraged. Watching your body change is rewarding.
3. Take Progress Pictures
A picture portrays a thousand words. This is actually true especially when it comes to weight loss. If you were to take a picture right now, you will be surprised the changes your body has undergone in a few months. The one thing you need to know is that bathroom scales do not tell the whole story.
Taking photos before and after will help you to note the differences and motivate you to achieve your weight loss goals. Before you begin your weight loss mission, you need to take a few photos of yourself.
First, select a great spot in your home with enough light allowing you to take great photos. Secondly, practice a few poses to ensure that each photo appears clearly. Lastly, look straight ahead and smile. In order to capture the real truth, you need to photograph the front, side and back view. You can incorporate a few poses. You can opt to dress in workout clothes. Remember, you can always ask a friend or family member to take the photos on your behalf.
4. Focus On Following Your Plan, Not Losing Weight
As said earlier, when setting realistic goals, you need to look beyond losing weight. Your overall health is of utmost importance because you don’t want to neglect the nourishment of your body organs. It is important to focus on your plan as this will help you build an image that not only allows you to lose weight but helps you to learn how to maintain the ideal weight.
So, how do you achieve this? Start by hanging that new outfit you have been dying to fit in since you had that bulging waistline. You need to picture how it would feel and make you look when you slide into the new outfit. This will motivate you and impart an attitude that directs you towards living a healthy lifestyle.
Why It’s Important To Lose Weight And Stay Healthy?
Maintaining a healthy weight is of utmost importance especially today where society has seen the rise of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardio vascular diseases. If you are overweight, not only are you exerting a lot of pressure on your body but you are at risk of developing serious health problems. Teenage and adult obesity rates have been increasing dramatically over the years. According to CDC, over 30% of teens, adult men and women are obese or on the verge of being obese. This is worrisome especially for teens as obesity will remain even during their adult life. This places them at the center of developing diseases like stroke, cancer, diabetes and premature death.
Today, the world has become fast paced and modernized especially in regards to one’s lifestyle which has resulted in many people – men, women and teens – not to pay attention to what they eat. People end up grabbing something for a quick bite without paying close attention to the food’s nutritional content. The tight work schedule, long hours in front of electronic gadgets and task overload leaves people with no spare time to exercise. This contributes to weight gain and obesity. So, why is it important to lose weight?
Prevent development of diseases
When you are overweight, you are at risk of developing health problems that include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, diabetes and heart problems. Diabetes is a condition where by the body is unable to properly metabolize sugar from food. Due to this, sugar accumulates in the blood stream stressing other organs which include kidneys, heart, eyes and the circulatory system.
Heart problems on the other hand occur as a result of bad cholesterol. Fat is deposited along the walls of blood vessels which include veins and arteries. As time goes by, the pathway becomes narrow forcing the heart to use a lot of pressure in order to pump blood through. When you engage in any strenuous activity, your body will have to pump blood to every location but due to the narrow pathway, your heart is placed under lots of strain. Due to this, one ends up suffering from high blood pressure. Overtime, high cholesterol levels contribute to a heart attack which may lead to death. By leading a healthy lifestyle, you are able to avoid the above conditions and diseases.
Avoid visits to the doctor
People dread visiting the doctor not only for a checkup but also to be treated. When you start thinking about the injections, the poking and a little hammering, you begin trembling in your shoes.
If you are overweight, you allow bad cholesterol to exist in your body. This places your body at risk of developing diseases and conditions like diabetes, cardio vascular problems, high blood pressure and cancer. The conditions are not only life threatening but they also take a toll on your immune system by weakening it. When this happens, your body is placed at the mercy of doctors which means you have to make several visits in order to receive treatment as well as undergo frequent checkups.
What you don’t know is that leading a healthy lifestyle helps to boost your immune level thus eliminating frequent visits to the doctor. Healthy foods are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and anti oxidants. When your body anti oxidant level is raised, your body defense system is raised too. This gives your body a fighting chance against disease causing pathogens. It also protects your body against the ravages of free radicals which are known to cause injuries to body cells.
Improves your sex life
Majority of marriages and relationship fail because one or both partners are overweight. Not only is it increasingly hard to have a satisfying sexual relationship but it lowers your libido too. When you are overweight, your self confidence is affected too. You no longer feel or experience sexiness especially according to current body standards. This eliminates the chances of you dressing well in clothes that reveal your curves and muscles. Instead, you end up purchasing clothes that help to hide the bulging waistline, hips and thighs.
When you engage in a weight loss diet or fitness exercises, you will be able to burn fat around the waist, hips and thighs. Furthermore, you will tone muscles around the body giving yourself a great physique. With a great physique, you will finally improve your sex life.
Improved energy levels
The one misconception many people have is that working out makes you tired. What many people don’t know is that it actually increases your energy levels. As you engage in various workout routines for example cardio exercises and strength training, your heart and other body parts are strengthened. This allows your body to work efficiently thanks to the nutrients provided by healthy food. When you over train and limit your food intake especially below the recommended level, you will end up burning out thus becoming vulnerable to infections. Follow the recommended set of fitness exercises and diets to improve your energy levels.
Become an inspiration to others
People have always been inspired by those who have been successful and have achieved great things during the course of their life. It is common to see people selecting others as mentors or guides therefore following in their steps and achieve what they have achieved also.
When you lose weight effectively, you will become an inspiration to others. People will look at photos of you when you were overweight and now that you are all toned up and they will be inspired by you. Don’t be surprised when people start asking you the secrets to your surprising great physique.
So, make that important resolution today and kick start your weight loss campaign by engaging in weight loss diets and exercises. Eliminate bad habits like smoking, drinking coffee, alcohol and stress as these have been found to contribute to poor decision making that leads to emotional eating. You can always avoid the desire of eating an extra slice of cake thanks to better decisions.
Final Verdict
Leading a healthy lifestyle is very important especially today where the rise of health complications like diabetes, cancer and cardio vascular health problems have been on the rise. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight gives you confidence, enables you to fit in different clothes and allows you to become an inspiration to others.
If you want to lose weight effectively, set realistic goals, track your progress, eat healthy foods, avoid temptations, focus on your health and not weight loss only. In conclusion, having the right attitude will help you to overcome the many setbacks that you may experience as you embark on the journey towards losing weight. It will motivate you to wake up every morning to work out and eat right.