For many of us, the quest to slim down and tone up can seem like an uphill struggle. However, getting in shape and having a slim and attractive body shouldn’t be a chore. Studies show that the majority of adult women and a large amount of men have been on a diet at some point in their lives, however unfortunately, any form of dieting can be a challenge and most of us just end up feeling miserable and putting the weight back on.
Nevertheless, there is another, better way to lose weight and keep it off. In order to enjoy a better body, you need to change your attitude to health and fitness, rather than opting for dangerous crash diets or restrictive calorie counting. Here are our top tips for losing the pounds and keeping the weight off.
Choose healthy, organic foodsChoosing healthy, organic produce is a great place to start when losing weight. Many of us make the mistake of filling up on quick and easy convenience foods which are full of sugar, simple carbohydrates and saturated fat; all these ingredients might make our favourite ready meals and packaged foodstuffs taste good, but they’re not doing much for our bodies. In order to be fit, slim and strong, you need to start buying healthy, whole foods which fill you up and nourish your body at the same time.
Foods labelled as diet and low-fat should be off your menu as these often contain large quantities of sugar, which is added to replace the flavour which is usually offered by fats. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, you need fat if you’re going to beat the bulge: snack on foods containing healthy fats, found in foods such as avocados, almonds and olives instead of reaching for chocolate bars and biscuits.
Brightly coloured superfoods such as blueberries, broccoli, grapes and even dark chocolate are packed full of antioxidants which will help protect you from diseases associated with obesity and being overweight, so make these are your go-to snacks for a fit and healthy body.
At mealtimes, make sure that at least one half of your plate is full of organic vegetables and save the other two quarters for lean protein like fish, chicken or tofu, and slow release carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholemeal pasta or sweet potatoes. Quinoa is a known superfood and a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an additional protein punch to fill you up and prevent poor food choices between meals.
Try adding natural supplements to your daily nutritionYou don’t need to start swallowing synthetic diet pills to shift the pounds. Taking natural supplements can work in conjunction with a healthy diet to help promote weight loss and boost your metabolism.
Having enough calcium and vitamin D is thought to improve digestion as well as supporting strong teeth and bones, so make sure that you’re getting plenty of this essential combination by taking a daily supplement. Some research has suggested that omega 3 fish oils could also help to support weight loss, particularly when combined with exercise.
Flaxseed is a great alternative for vegetarians and vegans who want to up their intake of this super-nutrient, as well as those who don’t enjoy eating oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.
Drink detox teas
Many people swear by herbal teas as a way of boosting weight loss and reducing feelings of heaviness caused by poor digestion, bloating and water retention. Replacing your usual tea and coffee with green tea may help to speed up the metabolism and increase fat burning in the body, making this a healthier alternative to your daily cuppa.
If you want to go caffeine free, peppermint and chamomile tea are good options as they have a soothing effect on the intestines and can help reduce bloating and discomfort, as well as helping to keep you hydrated. Detox teas such as those containing liquorice root and fennel are also thought to make the stomach look flatter, due to their calming effects on the digestive system.
Other known ‘slimming teas’ include fermented Chinese blends such as Pu-erh tea and Oolong varieties, which are thought to work by increasing the digestion speed and promoting fast fat metabolism.
Get activeOf course; even a healthy diet full of vital nutrients and the support of detox teas cannot work miracles. In order to get the best results, you need to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle. It’s recommended that all adults do a minimum of thirty minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise three times a week for optimum health.
If you want to lose weight, you need to increase your energy expenditure, so it’s advisable to increase this level of activity gradually, until you can do an hour of vigorous exercise four or five times a week. Of course, in today’s busy world, it can be difficult to fit physical activity into your daily routine, so try simple tactics such as walking instead of driving or getting off the bus few stops earlier than usual to fit additional exercise into your life.
Home fitness programmes and DVD workouts are also a great option, especially if you have children at home. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn at rest, so try to include weight training and conditioning exercises to sculpt your body and improve your muscle to fat ratio.
Whatever your weight loss and fitness goals, you don’t have to stick to dull or restrictive diets to see impressive results. Good overall nutrition, including plenty of superfoods, supplements and healthy herbal teas will promote weight loss. Combined with regular exercise and body conditioning, you should be able to maintain a slimmer, healthier physique as well as enjoying the benefits of increased strength, better muscle tone and improved cardiovascular fitness!
Laura writes for Natures Health Box who provides high quality natural supplements, healthy superfoods, including gluten free foods and herbal, detox teas. Everything you need for a healthy lifestyle and shifting that unwanted weight.
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