Exercise and weight loss go hand in hand. Unfortunately, many dieters go full throttle into weight loss; living on sparse salads in an effort to drop as many kilos as possible in as short amount of time as they can. They end up weak with hunger, unable to exercise or even function properly, experiencing dizziness, faintness and a range of other debilitating health issues.
Sadly, the vast majority of these strict dieters not only re-gain any weight they may have dropped, but much more on top. Why? Simply because their body has been forced into starvation mode – the body’s self protection mechanism. This is also the reason why we may hit a plateau where the less we eat, the less weight we lose. Your body is doing what it needs to keep you alive.
So, how do you maintain the balance of weight loss and vital nutrients your body needs? That’s what we’re here to discuss today.
Tasty tips
There has been a strong movement lately towards low carb diets which turn the body into a fat burning machine. Rather than vilifying fat as a culprit, eating a range of healthy fats such as those found in nuts, avocado and oily fish is encouraged to stave off hunger and maintain satiety.
Nature has an array of delicious foods and these can be supplemented with low carb treats and weight loss products which have been fortified with dietary supplements to keep the body burning fat without depriving you of the taste or nutrients your body demands.
Nourishing powerhouses
Did you know that berries and raspberries in particular, can contribute to weight loss. These delicious little treats are packed with antioxidants and fibre and they also:
- Maintain blood sugar levels
- Boost the metabolism
- Fight belly fat (yay!)
- Contribute to healthy vision
- Maintain bone density
Ensure that you consume a naturally colourful array of foods everyday. The notorious ‘white food diet’ which has been implicated in morbid obesity and includes white flour, white rice, cakes and pasta, will fill you with empty calories and pack on the pounds.
Look instead for green leafy vegetables, reds such as those found in radishes and capsicums, oranges such as pumpkin, carrots and mandarins, yellows like squash and pears.
The fruit and vegetable section of your local supermarket or fruit shop is a virtual powerhouse of delicious, weight loss tools required to maintain blood sugar levels, improve the metabolism and balance hormones – all the vital ingredients for healthy body weight.
Fatty fat fats
The inclusion of healthy fats in our diet goes a long way to keeping us feeling full. They are often high in protein which is vital for building muscle and which in turn, increases metabolism and burns larger amounts of fat.
Some ideal hunger beaters are:
- Salmon
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Meat
- Seeds
- Eggs
- Flaxseed
Omega 3 oil, which is found in many of these foods, has been shown to increase blood flow to muscles, stimulating enzymes to transport fat to a point where it can be assimilated for energy.
Carb curb
Dramatic results have been reported by people following low carb, protein-rich diets like those bodybuilders utilise to drop retained water and fat for a lean, cut look. The two main sources of carbs are sugars and starches such as those found in cereals, rice, pasta, flour and bakery goods. By replacing these with alternative high fibre foods, such as flaxseed and psyllium husk, you can maintain regularity without adding to your carb intake.
The aim for everyone looking to drop weight is to look and feel better. Our bodies should be bursting with health and energy making weight loss a natural result. This can only be achieved by feeding your body nutritious foods, providing it with the proper fuel to achieve perfect health and a lean, fit body for years to come.
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