People go about spring diets all wrong. It’s easy to hide that extra layer of blubber under the abundant fabric of a winter sweater, and let’s face it, with winter comes the freedom of unnoticed caloric indulgence. Then springtime hits and we panic. People put themselves on eight different diet programs. They swear they will never touch another donut. Some decide not to eat at all until they lose that extra winter weight. All of this invariably ends with a meltdown, and a subsequent regaining of any weight lost due to a quick, cold turkey diet.
Removing anything with flavor from your diet is not the solution. Rather, a healthy diet of moderation and regular exercise is the best option. Furthermore, a healthy mindset is a necessity. When you look in the mirror, don’t think, “wow, I am disgusting.” Negativity only increases the likelihood of failure. You should instead think about the weight you will lose and how much better you will look and feel. Don’t lose the weight so that you will look amazing in a bathing suit; lose it because you want to be healthy and feel better.
First, the diet will probably need a few changes. Whatever you do, don’t cut out everything that you like. So many people think they need to remove all sweets and treats from their daily consumption, but that isn’t the case. You need to like your diet if you’re going to stick with it. The key here is not elimination, but substitution. For example, if you eat a lot of white bread and/or pasta, use 100% whole wheat bread and noodles. You will grow accustomed to the rich wheat flavor, and it will make a world of difference in your midsection.
Another important diet alteration is regular meals. It is important to eat regularly so that your metabolism stays fast and active. You should aim to eat about every three to four hours. I’m not saying you should be consuming five enormous meals. A single piece of fruit between meals is a great way to fight cravings for more guilty pleasures. Also, a solid morning breakfast is important to keep hunger at bay.
Another way to help lose weight, which may sound counter intuitive, is eating dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to treat yourself to a small piece of dark chocolate or some slow churned ice cream. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and is a great way to tell your body that you are done eating. Slow churned ice cream carries half the fat and two thirds of the calories that regular ice cream does. It also tastes great. As with main meals, make sure you control the portions on these desserts.
Finally, caloric intake is important. If you want to lose weight, you have to eat fewer calories than your body uses. This will allow you to burn fat. Remember not to starve yourself, but also, you probably shouldn’t be eating more than 2,500 calories in a day. This number does fluctuate depending on your size, age, gender, and activity level. You can also check some leptoconenct reviews so you can find the best lose weight supplement that will help you achieve your desired body weight. Online calculators often help you determine your ideal daily caloric intake. There is no shame in calorie counting, and it can help keep you on track.
Exercise is another big component to your summer weight loss goal. A combination of weight training and cardio workouts will work best. Weight training builds muscle, which increases metabolism for over twenty four hours after your workout! So if you’re nervous about going to the gym, get over it. A diet can only take you so far, and a daily routine of going to the gym is important.
Cardio is also crucial. Revving up your heart rate not only improves your cardiovascular health, but it also helps you burn fat. There are a lot of options for cardio workouts. You can run, bike, swim, row, or do a number of exercises that keep your heart rate up. If you have trouble staying motivated, just think about how many calories you are burning and how great you will look in that swim suit!
The key components to your summer weight loss are to keep a positive attitude, stick to your diet and exercise plan, and make sure you stick to your schedule. Losing weight is hard work, but if you stick to your plan and put in a good effort, you will be pleased with the results and so will your fellow beach goers!
