Cindy’s Other Blog

If you want to know how to successfully lose weight and stay healthy for life, below are 5 easy steps to help you lose the weight -

1. When it comes to losing weight, fiber is the smart and natural choice to help you reach your weight loss goals. Generally foods that are high in fiber are very low in calories. The result is simple math - the lower calorie a food is, the more of it you can eat within dieting parameters. Once fiber-rich foods get into the intestines, they also help produce hormone CCK (cholecystokinin). This is the hormone that sends messages to your body and brain to let you know you have eaten enough, and are full.

2. Choose exercises that you enjoy - and don’t over do it. Pull ups are an excellent way to increase your strength, but some people just despise doing them. Don’t do exercises just because it helps you with strength training, if it makes you feel miserable. You have to find a way enjoy your fix, or choose another exercise that offers the same benefits but is not so tedious or stressful on you. Have fun and look for improvements each month.

3. Don’t do the same exercises over and over - mix it up or you will lose your motivation. When losing weight, your body responds great at first, but as it gets used to the same routine, it stops responding as much because your body doesn’t need to work as hard to do the motions. So mix it up with interval training, and vary the workouts every month. Best yet, try outdoor sports like tennis, biking, soccer and basketball. Anything that makes your body work in a different way is more likely to burn more calories.

4. Do everything you can to avoid the fast food restaurants in the beginning. It starts with small steps and the first one you may need to do is start cooking meals at home instead of resorting to a fast food restaurant. If you do eat out, make healthier choices from the menu - and avoid the ’super size’ meals as it contains the ’super size’ calories you don’t need now.

5. Perfection is not the key to fat loss - it is the enemy of fat loss. You don’t need to be perfect. There’s no such thing as the perfect diet or perfect meal or even the perfect workout. Perfection is very restrictive and inflexible - and will eventually lead to de-motivation. It is all about getting a balance in your life. When it comes to losing weight, be sensible about it - eat in moderation, be active and get your daily dose of nutrition by eating more fresh foods and whole grain products. It’s really, drinking less alcohol and fizzy drinks, eating less junk food and other kinds of processed foods but giving yourself a treat with your favorite junk food or favorite food once a while. It’s all about enjoying your foods and getting the most out of it without having to deprive yourself.

The key to fat loss is, be organised, eat sensibly and be active. And if you have, get a network of support going. For example, hire a personal trainer or get a friend to workout with you. All the simple things can add up to bigger results.