Whether you want to lose weight for health reasons or so you can fit into your favorite bikini this summer, we have some effective but easy tips that can help you shed that excessive weight quickly and safely.
The following tips should help you lose about twelve pounds a month, which is about three pounds a week – but that is only if you follow the steps religiously and are disciplined and dedicated to this new lifestyle.
Diet
Let’s start from the beginning – your diet. What you eat has a profound effect not only on your weight but on your health as well. For this reason, it’s crucial to have a clean, nutritious, healthy diet that will help you on your weight loss journey while keeping you strong and healthy.
Eat: lots of fresh, vibrant vegetables, healthy fats and protein. Fruit is also welcomed but in moderation.
When it comes to carbs, complex and nutrient-dense foods are great, but simple and refined carbs are a big NO. In essence, you want to eat lots of veggies in season, oily fish, lean protein and some good fats like olive oil, coconut oil, avocados and nuts. Whole oats and whole grains in general are also ok, but from time to time. Same thing with fruit – have some fruit everyday but in moderation.
Don’t Eat: sugar, simple and refined carbs, fruit juices, sugar-laden beverages including coffee, energy drinks, etc.
The number one thing to remember is that you don’t want to eat sugar and refined carbs. And since sugar is pretty much everywhere in processed foods, it’s a good idea to avoid those completely. When you crave something sweet, have a piece or two of fruit or make some homemade dessert with stevia.
Exercise
Regular physical activity is incredibly important for our overall health, but when it comes to losing weight, it’s even more important.
Do: exercise regularly, meaning every day or every other day. Absolutely do cardio (jogging, dancing, tennis, whatever works for you), but don’t forget to include weight training too. Weight training will help you lose fat but not muscle; it will also make you stronger and in general better-looking.
Don’t: go overboard with fitness. Many people think that if they exercise twice a day, everyday, they’ll lose weight more quickly, and while that may be true in the beginning, they’ll also deplete their adrenals, resulting in adrenal fatigue. So, instead of having more energy and feeling better, they end up feeling tired, sluggish and ultimately unable to shed that couple of pounds.
