We're approaching the end of our first month in 2012, and no doubt people are scurrying to the scales to see how much weight has fallen off. Because of this, we found it fitting that our first post should involve weight loss tips. We all know someone, if not ourselves, who've tried the latest fad diets. But, what do these "diet sensations" really have to offer? The truth is, diets are temporary and most people resort back to bad habits after accomplishing a short term goal. If you want to lose weight fast and keep it off, here are a few tips that will lead you in the right direction.
Stick to water - Yeah, we've heard it all before. We're told to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. What many people may not know, however, is that a good rule of thumb is to take your body weight and divide it by two. What you're left with is the amount of ounces you should be drinking. For the sake of simple math, here's an example of a person who is 210 lbs: 210/2=105. That person should be drinking 105 ounces of water which is equivalent to about 13 glasses of water. Saying no to soft drinks, even diet ones, and sticking to water will help you reach your weight loss goals even quicker!
Stick to lean meats - Fuel your diet with chicken, fish, turkey, and lean ground beef. Try grilling these meats, instead of frying them. Drizzle olive oil on Tilapia and season it to taste, then slap it on the George Foreman grill. It tastes great, and it's good for you! If you don't have a George Foreman grill, you should definitely invest in one or it's counterpart. It's a great way to get your meats cooked with less fatty grease.
Take Vitamins - Once you change the way you eat, you will definitely notice the increase in energy. Add a multi-vitamin, fish oil, and vitamin C into the mix, and you'll begin to pump up those levels even more. An increase in energy will lift your endurance level, leaving you able to work out and exercise for longer periods.
Go for complex carbs - We all heard, during the Atkin's craze, to stay away from carbohydrates. While the diet does work, what happens when you revert back to your old ways? Are you really going to stay away from bread forever? Stick to complex carbs; brown rice, wheat bread, etc. Stay far, far away from simple carbs; candy, soft drinks, and any anything else with too much sugar.
Don't eat late - I make it a habit not to eat after 6pm. Don't make excuses on why you can't. Prepare your meals on Sunday for the week, and take them with you to work if you're there late. Most people aren't active past this time, so try not to eat late. If you fall into that category, you shouldn't be eating later than 6. If you feel the need to snack later, find something healthy; a cup of yogurt or an apple with a small spoonful of peanut butter.
Have patience - Most importantly, remember that there are no quick fixes. Give yourself a realistic amount of time to lose the weight. This ensures that the weight loss is done in a healthy way, and helps to keep it from coming back easily. If you are drastically changing your diet, the weight will begin to fall off. Just switching to drinking water only can cause a dramatic effect on your body. Make one small change at a time, and watch the pounds fall off.
These are just a few quick tips that we've used in our own journey to weight loss. They are proven and effective. As previously mentioned, give yourself a realistic time frame to lose the weight. But, if you follow these simple steps, the weight will begin to fall off quickly. Don't be discouraged when you hit a plateau, it's normal to lose a lot of weight the first few weeks. After that, the average weight loss should be 1-2 lbs a week. Just remember that exercise is an important part of any lifestyle change, and when partnered with better nutrition, it enhances the process. As always, consult your physician before changing your diet or exercise routine.
Corey West is one of the authors at [http://www.thecocoshack.com], an informative blog with topics for everyone. He invites you to stop by the site, sign up for a free account, and join the discussions. If you are interested in guest blogging, you can find information on the site to do so.
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