Archive for August, 2009

Losing extra pounds gradually is the healthiest way to keep in shape. Instead of wanting to shave off those extra pounds in a day or two, which can be a very daunting endeavor, a pound or two each day is a healthier alternative. There are several ways to lose 10 pounds in one week but only a handful of them work. More so, some of those diets even subtly suggest going to extremes like not eating anything at all.

If you are unsure of what kind of diet regimen you should undertake to help you lose weight, here is a one-week meal plan you can try. Just follow these few simple steps and see yourself slimmer in a span of one week.

Day One

On the first day of the diet, it is important to condition the body. You can do this by taking a detox diet. Not only will this help the body lose weight faster but cleanse it as well. Start the day by mixing a cup of lemon juice, slices of ginger and honey with one cup of water.

It is helpful to prepare a mixture of this detox drink that can last the whole day. This way whenever you are hungry, all you have to do is to drink a cup of the detox mixture.

Day Two

It is important to limit the amount of food you eat to help your body lose weight fast. However, don’t forget to eat healthy and incorporate lots of fruits and vegetables to your meals. You can also eat meat but remember to chose lean ones or opt for white meat like chicken or fish instead.

Day Three

Once you got used to your new diet, start adding two pieces of apples and a cup of black beans to your meals. You can also substitute the beans for the meats. This can jumpstart your fiber intake, which in turn helps for healthy weight loss.

Day Four

During the fourth day of the diet, start eating heavy breakfast mostly consisting of grains and cereals. Again, fiber is very important because it really does wonders for the digestive system. As for your dinner, remember to eat the meal before seven o’clock. Eating after seven in the evening or hours before sleep can restrict the body from properly digesting your meal.

Day Five

It is important to realize just how much calorie you consume during the previous three days especially now that you have established a healthy diet. Once you are aware of this, try to scatter your meals all throughout the day. Eating five to six small meals is a great way to help you lose weight.

Day Six

During this time, you must be able to limit your sugar and fat intake. If not, try to limit your consumption further. There are other healthier alternatives for these kinds of foods. For instance, instead of eating ice cream for dessert, eat yogurt. They are healthier and provide the body with helpful and healthy bacteria.

Day Seven

Eat fresh fruits instead of packaged juices. Another healthier alternative is to drink freshly squeezed juices without additives and flavorings. You can even stop drinking juice altogether and rather opt for a healthier green tea.

This kind of diet can be prolonged if you want to continuously lose weight. Once you lose 10 pounds in one week, remember that maintaining this type of healthy diet can prevent you from gaining weight.

Many people follow a diet for wrong reasons. They are so caught up with the hype that they forget to inspect everything that the diet claims. There are several diet myths out there that you should know. Realizing these diet myths can help you in a successful weight loss journey. Don’t let yourself be tricked again by the hooplas most diets cause to achieve popularity.

Eating Carbohydrates is Not That Bad

Many diets claim that if you don’t eat carbohydrates you will lose more weight. Wrong. You still need carbohydrates to help you survive the day. This type of myth is commonly found in those no-carb or low-carb diets. The popular Atkins diet even carries this type of myth too.

The topic of ‘energy consumed versus energy burned’ is an on-going debate. Carbohydrates, in excess, can surely be attributed for weight gain though this doesn’t mean that you should eliminate them at all from your diet. A wonderful balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate is the key to a healthy and successful weight loss.

Exercising is only for the Overweight

People usually take exercise for granted. Those who are not considered overweight or obese often neglect exercising at all. This should not be the case because exercising is important not only in losing weight but maintaining it as well. Even if you don’t look overweight, you can still have more fat than those who share your body type. It is important to consider the fat to muscle mass ratio.

Exercise regularly if you don’t want to develop serious medical conditions. Even as low as a thirty-minute jog everyday can help maintain and manage your weight properly. Remember that the main cause of heart problems is fat build up and you can definitely eliminate this through effective exercise routines.

Eating Habits Is Not Related to Exercise

Considering exercise and eating habit as two separate things is the common mistake most people make. Even if you exercise regularly, you must still watch what you eat. Your eating habits and exercise must go hand-in-hand. What use is your exercise if you eat unhealthily? You’ll just wear yourself out from exercising everyday and gaining back the weight also everyday. Being mindful of what you eat can help make your rigorous exercise routines more effective.

You Must Exercise Hard to Beat off Weight Gain

There are many kinds of diet regimen that require you to regularly push yourself to the limits in terms of exercising even if you managed to achieve your weight goal. They advise you to continuously workout harder in order to avoid gaining back the lost weight. You don’t have to follow this myth.

Once you have managed to achieve your desired weight and want to maintain it, you can lessen your workout routine. Instead of going to the gym everyday for three-hours, you can lessen it to an hour three times a week. This would definitely clear up some time for you to do more important things you need to attend to.

What you can also do is to choose a lighter cardio routine, like one-hour brisk walking or thirty-minute treadmill exercise, over a more intense aerobic exercise. You can definitely lose weight in a matter of weeks if you choose not to follow several diet myths out there.

It is certainly difficult to look for a diet plan that suits your lifestyle. However, you must remember that going on a diet is a lifestyle change itself. You must be willing to make early sacrifices in order to get you nearer to your goal. Luckily, there are several diet makeover tips you can use to help ease the transition. These are by no means diet routines but rather a way of changing your eating habit healthily and gradually.

With the number of diet techniques sprouting here and there, you definitely need a helping hand in choosing the right one. These tips can help you land the perfect regimen for you as well as shorten the time it will take you to lose those extra pounds.

Plan Your MealsThe first and most important part of transitioning into a healthy lifestyle is planning correctly what you must eat. This is can be daunting task especially for those who are always on the go. You must remember, though, that this step is important in helping you get used to the new eating habits.

Everyday, you must remember to plan your meal before you even take them. For instance, before eating breakfast, you must set up a desired meal plan the night before. Pack your food beforehand to ensure that you get the right measurements required by whatever diet method you are taking. The same goes for your lunch and dinner. As you continue with the diet, you wouldn’t believe how easy and beneficial it is to plan a meal beforehand.

Purge Your Fridge and Pantry

This is probably one of the hardest sacrifices you have to make in order to lose weight. It is time for you to open your fridge and other food storage and purge them of any unhealthy food. Throw that ice cream, cake, chips, candies and everything that are unhealthy, and replace them with healthier alternatives, like whole wheat pretzels and crackers, breads and pastas.

Purchase Guilt-Free Snacks

The on-going need to stay fit and healthy brought about the creation of guilt-free snacks that you can munch on without worrying of gaining extra pounds. This is extremely helpful if you still are having a hard time giving up your in-between meal sessions or fighting those nasty cravings.

Some of these healthier alternatives include almonds, dried fruits, sugar-free desserts and more. Even your favorite condiments now have their organic counterparts, which are free of the chemicals sometimes attributed to weight gain.

Drinks and beverages that pack a lot of calories should also be lessened, if not eliminated. Instead of drinking carbonated sodas and commercially packed fruit juices, opt for healthier diet sodas and freshly squeezed juices. Also remember to add a sugar-free packet to your bottled water whenever you drink one.

Choose White Meat Instead of Red

The best way to lose weight without eliminating protein is to choose white meat over red. Skinless chicken breasts are very lean and contain high quality protein, which is essential in losing weight. Baking them can further enhance their nutritional value.

Another one of the diet makeover tips you can use is to substitute fish meat for your pork or beef. Fish meat is healthier and contains high quality fatty acids that can help improve heart and other bodily functions. Nevertheless, remember to include protein in your diet to create balance.