In my quest to get fit, lose weight, and live a healthier life, I found several quick and easy tips that have helped me achieve my weight loss goals. These can be incorporated into your diet and fitness plan on the go, everyday!
1. Exercise 30 minutes before dinner to increase your late-night metabolism. 8 hours after waking, our metabolism naturally slows, so start it early in the evening to increase fat burning that will last hours after you finish your workout.
2. Don’t miss out on your family’s favorite dishes! Just learn to make them healthier. Replace saturated fats with healthier mono- or polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil. Use low-fat yogurt in place of cream, and herbs and spices in place of salt.
3. Get creative with your vegetables – Stuff zucchini or bell peppers with savory ingredients like minced chicken, other white meats or fish for a healthy, lean snack or meal.
4. Wrap your salad filling in a pita bread roll up or whole grain tortilla.
5. Don’t sacrifice taste! Make a surprisingly delicious low-fat mayonnaise by mixing a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or sautéed sauce with plain low-fat yogurt.
6. Get extra iron in your diet by adding alfalfa or mung beans to your salads.
7. Take the time to learn about nutrition and how to prepare healthy recipes. This will lead to better cooking and healthier food…Knowledge is power!
8. Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise or weight loss program.
9. Use chicken stock when frying to reduce hidden saturated fat.
10. It’s all in the skin! Try not to peel fruits and vegetables. Most of the best nutrients are concentrated just below the skin.
11. Take it slow while eating. Eating slowly during meals and chewing each bite prevents you from overeating, and suppresses your appetite.
12. Eat like a bird. Include five to six small meals a day in your meal plan instead of two or three large meals.
13. If you like muesli, buy non-toasted muesli. A plate of toasted muesli has a higher fat content than a plate of bacon and eggs!
14. Eliminate late night snacks. This is one of the hardest things to do in the beginning; But don’t eat anything 3 hours before going to bed – with the exception of lean casein protein such a small amount of low-fat cottage cheese.
15. Don’t skip eating. When you skip meals, your body goes into starvation mode, slowing your metabolism as well as storing any nutrition you eat later as fat stores, without any Hoping for another long run of grub.
16. Soybeans and tofu are some of the best sources of vegetable protein. Since all legumes provide some protein, be sure to add some lentils, lima beans, pinto beans, etc. to your soups and casseroles.
17. Make sure you eat something before going grocery shopping – this will prevent impulsive buying of unhealthy junk food. Also make sure you only buy foods that are in your weekly menu plan.
18. Don’t go it alone! Put together a friend or support group with whom you can team up to achieve your weight loss goals. It’s an excellent source of motivation and can add a lot of enjoyment to your dieting and fitness plans.
19. You can remove saturated fats by adding ice cubes to a baking tray – fat sticks to ice cubes.
20. Before your breakfast, have a cup of warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice. This will rev up your metabolism for the day, and also help prevent constipation… not to mention it’s excellent for your skin!
21. Pasta is a great fast food! Cooking pasta with whole grain pasta is quick and easy, and can be incorporated into soups and salads in just 10-12 minutes.
22. A bowl of chili is a metabolism booster—even the mild kind!
23. Use applesauce for eggs in baking for a low-cholesterol low-fat meal.
24. Make omelets without egg yolks or use a yolk free egg beater.
25. All Natural Peanut Butter is a great healthy fat that your body needs, use with whole grain bread and pureed fruit jam for a delicious small meal or healthy snack.
Apply these tips, set realistic goals, find a good diet plan that works for you, and stay disciplined and consistent, and you’ll have a healthier, slimmer, more active lifestyle!
Source by Scott Gilstrap
