Does The Diet Solution Reduce Belly Fat?

Why I Chose The Diet Solution

Are You Sick and Tired of Being Overweight?

Ready to Lose Weight and Reduce Belly Fat Once and For All?

If you’re like me you’ve had your own weight loss ups and downs.

I’ve been thin for most of my life.  But over the past couple years the weight has been creeping up on me, especially around my waist, and a few weeks ago I finally got up on the scale and faced the truth.  I guess seeing that I weighed 171 pounds was enough to push me over.

I’m tired of feeling bad about the way I look.  I hate to go out.  I can’t fit into the nice clothes I have in my closet, so wear baggy T shirts and sweat shirts that I “borrow” from my husband and son.

I allowed this to happen, and I deserve better, so I decided it was time to do something.  It was 12 days before Christmas, a crazy time to start a new exercise and eating plan, but I was ready to make changes right away.  Changes that would reduce belly fat in particular.

What is “The Diet Solution?”

There are lots of weight loss programs out there but I had seen some great reviews for The Diet Solution online and had thought about giving it a try, you know, some day.  Maybe in January, or when Summer rolled around.  But the day I weighed in at 171 pounds I knew the time had come!

Before The Diet Solution

Isabel Before The Diet Solution

After The Diet Solution

Isabel After The Diet Solution

The Diet Solution isn’t a fad or a crash diet.  It’s a long term lifestyle change that includes a healthy way of eating along with exercise. It teaches you how you can eat delicious food, combined the right way, to lose weight and keep it off, permanently.

The Diet Solution Program is an easy to follow, comprehensive weight loss program that will help you reduce belly fat as well as body fat, increase your energy and improve your overall health without going hungry!

Isabel De Los Rios – Founder of “The Diet Solution”

 

Click Here to Visit The Diet Solution’s Home Page

Why I Recommend The Diet Solution:

  • Get Results Fast – I’m living proof that it works!  I lost 4 pounds and 2 inches off my waist in the first 3 weeks (which included Christmas & New Year’s)
  • Individualized Meal Plans and Shopping Lists Based on Your Metablolic Type
  • No Calorie Counting
  • You Don’t Have to Give Up Carbs!
  • Easy to Start, Understand and Maintain
  • Never go Hungry – Eat Real Delicious Food!
  • Great Recipes
  • Online Support
  • Newsletters and Diet and Fitness Tips

I found out that I had a lot of misconceptions when it came to healthy eating and weight loss.  I’ve always been a carboholic and have avoided fat of all kinds as well as many sources of protein.  I admit that I clung on to calorie counting at first.  Wrong!

What The Diet Solution Taught Me:

  • Calorie Counting Doesn’t Work for Long Term Weight Loss
  • Restricting Calories is the Worst Thing You Can Do to Lose Weight
  • Why Some So Called “Health Foods” Can Make You Gain Weight
  • That You NEED to EAT in Order to Lose Weight…Amen!

It’s been 27 days for me and I’m still on my weight loss journey. But I’ve already come a long way to reduce belly fat and I’m looking forward to Summer for the first time in a long time.  First I gave up bathing suits, then shorts, then tank tops.  Not this year!

It’s up to you to decide for yourself.  Click on the banner below and get your Free 7 Day Starter Kit and lifetime subscription to Isabel’s “Nutritionist Tells All” Newsletter.

You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Unwanted Weight!

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Obviously you DO have to work at this.  It’s not a magic pill.  It can also be inconvenient that the plan stresses organic foods so strongly.  They can be harder to find and are always more expensive.  But I don’t let that stop me.  I just stick to the program the best I can with what I have, and it IS working to reduce belly fat and help my lose weight.

About Isabel

Isabel De Los Rios is a certified nutritionist and exercise specialist who has  helped over 25,000 people all over the world lose incredible amounts of weight, regain their health and permanently change their lives.  Isabel graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in exercise physiology. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

 

Always consult your physician before starting an exercise or diet plan

 

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The Benefits of Seeds

Add Seeds to Your Diet

Like nuts, seeds are a healthy addition to your diet.

Flaxseed: At 50% Flaxseeds are super high in heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  The regular consumption of ground Flaxseed is shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes by lowering cholesterol, and blood sugar, as well as the inflammation associated with arthritis.

Flaxseed is high in lignans, with up to 800 times the amount as in any other plant food.  Flaxseed is high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which, like lignans, has been found to be a promising cancer fighting agent, especially breast and colon cancer.

Looking to add more fiber to your diet?  One ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’s recommended daily intake of fiber.  Note that ground Flax is better utilized by the body as whole flax will move through the digestive system without breaking down.

Phytoestrogens are estrogen like substances that are found in plants and Flax is the richest known plant source of phytoestrogens.  They act as a natural hormone therapy helping to stabilize hormonal levels which can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

Benefits of Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds: Also known as Pepitas they are delicious and full of nutrients! Pumpkin Seeds are very high in omega-3 fatty acids.  They also contain minerals such as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc. The vitamins in pumpkin seeds include the B vitamins riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, niacin (B3), vitamin A, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K, which can help prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Pumpkin seeds also contain phytosterols which may inhibit the growth of breast or prostate cancer or reduce the risk of these cancers.

Pepitas also contain L-tryptophan, which can help fight against depression.

Sesame Seeds: Sesame Seeds are high in omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids

Sun Flower Seeds:

The Benefits of Nuts

Eat Your Nuts!

The benefits of nuts

Mixed Nuts

I happen to love nuts and I eat them nearly every day.  They are so handy, so delicious and so versatile!  Not to mention gluten free, vegetarian as well as vegan.

In addition to being high in fiber, cholesterol free and an excellent source of  heart healthy protein, nuts add flavor and texture to many dishes.  They also make a perfect snack or even a quick lunch when paired with fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

Nuts are high in fat but most of that fat is polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 and omega-9, which can help reduce cholesterol.  Eating nuts regularly is actually associated with a lower risk of weight gain. Research has shown that people who eat nuts at least twice a week are less likely to gain weight than those who don’t eat nuts regularly.

Studies have shown that eating 1 ounce of nuts a week can lower the risk of developing gallstones by 25%.

Nuts are also high in antioxidant Vitamin E, which can help reduce fatty build up in arteries, and the B vitamin folate.  Many nuts and seeds are also high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which can reduce blood pressure.

Order Organic Nuts direct from the grower

Almonds: Considered one of the healthiest of all nuts and the nuts I eat the most, almonds are a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of healthy fats that are found in olive oil, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease.  They also contain zinc, selenium, copper and niacin.

Brazil Nuts: Brazil Nuts are especially rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like palmitoleic acid and oleic acid which help to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol.)

Brazil nuts also contain exceptionally high levels of selenium and adaquate levels of selenium in the diet help prevent coronary artery disease, liver cirrhosis, and cancers.  In addition to selenium, they contain other minerals such as zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and copper, and copper helps prevent anemia and osteoporosis.

Cashews: Cashew nuts are actually seeds, found growing on the end of the South American cashew apple.  Rich in iron, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, copper and zinc, cashews are also a good source of phytochemicals and antioxidants.  Cashews have a fatty acid profile that contributes to good health through phytosterols, tocopherols, and sqaulene, all of which lower the risk of heart disease.

Macadamia nuts: Highest in omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids.  monounsaturated oleic acid and palmitoleic acids.  They are an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc.  They are also rich in many important B-complex vitamins and contain small amounts of vitamin-C, vitamin E.  They are SO delicious!  Try this healthy recipe for ahi and macadamia nuts.

Peanuts: Ah, the humble peanut!  Peanuts are high in Vitamin B3 (or Niacin) which has health benefits which include promoting normal brain function and boosting memory power as well as lowering cholesterol.  Peanuts contain folate and studies have shown that women who had a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduced their risk of having a baby born with a serious neural tube defect by up to 70%.

Peanuts are also rich in heart healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants such as oleic acid which reduce the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease.  Add to that people who eat niacin rich foods like peanuts are 70% less likely to have develop Alzheimer’s disease.  And peanuts contain a form of phytosterol called beta-sitoserol (SIT.) And phytosterols not only protect against cardiovascular disease, they also protect against cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.

Pecans: A study conducted at the Center for Cellular Neurobiology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, suggests adding pecans to your diet may delay the progression of age related motor neuron degeneration.  This may include diseases like amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  My father died of complications associated with ALS so this is of special importance to me.  In addition, naturally-occurring antioxidants in pecans may help contribute to heart health and disease prevention.

Pistacios: Pistachios contain 30 vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients and are a good source of copper, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and B6.  Pistachios are also a good source of gamma-tocopherol.  So eating pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung cancer, as well as other cancers.

Walnuts: Walnuts are crazy good for you!  They’re rich in monounsaturated fatty acids  like oleic acid and an excellent source of  omega-3 fatty acids such as linoleic acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and arachidonic acids. Including as few as 7 walnuts in your daily diet can help to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol.)  They can also lower the risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and strokes.

Walnuts are a rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that have potential health benefits in fighting against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.  Walnuts are also an excellent source of vitamin E, and many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates as well as minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

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Comments and Questions

 

 

Vitamin B3 Benefits

One of the reasons I decided to take action and lose weight was because I had a doctor appointment coming up and I didn’t want to get a lecture.  A couple years ago I found out that I had high cholesterol, something I inherited from my Father, so I need to have my blood checked a couple times a year.

The good news is that my cholesterol has dropped from the mid 400′s to 228.  Amazing!  The bad news, I have a slight Vitamin B3 deficiency.  So I did some research and here is what I found out…

What is Vitamin D3?

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin and nicotinic acid, is one of the eight water-soluble B complex vitamins.  Because B3 is a water a soluble vitamin very little is stored in the body, so it’s very important to include regular sources of Vitamin B3 through diet, sun exposure and/or supplements.

Vitamin B3 Benefits

Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D3 is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” because it can be synthesized in the skin with exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. But pollution, weather conditions, and sun block, can inhibit the body’s ability to produce optimal vitamin D levels.

Vitamin B3 Benefits

It aids in circulation, intestinal and nervous system functions, and the metabolism of proteins fats and carbohydrates.

It’s important for strong bones and teeth, plays a major role in healthy cell development and helps keep the immune system strong.  It has also been shown to promote muscle health, breast health and colon health and contributes to healthy skin.

B3 also helps reduce cholesterol by not only lower bad cholesterol (LDL) but also by increasing good cholesterol (HDL).

Symptoms of Vitamin B3 deficiency

Most people consume enough Vitamin B3 foods and or get enough sun to avoid a deficiency.  Symptoms of deficiency include canker sores, forgetfulness, dementia, diarrhea, and dizziness. Other symptoms include fatigue, headaches, and indigestion. Insomnia, pain in the extremities, reduced appetite, low blood sugar levels, muscle weakness, skin eruptions, and inflammation.

Vitamin B3 Foods

Vitamin D can be synthesized  in adequate amounts by all mammals from sunlight, when sun exposure is sufficient.

The body also converts tryptophan, an essential amino acid, into vitamin B3.  So foods rich in tryptophan like milk and turkey can be considered good sources of vitamin B3.

Include these foods in your diet to enjoy Vitamin B3 benefits:

  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Whole Grains (except corn)
  • Green Vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Nuts & Seeds
  • Meat and Organ Meats
  • Salmon
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna

To get optimum Vitamin B3 benefits the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 14 mg for females, 9-13 mg for children and 16 mg for males.

There can be serious harmful side effects from taking too much niacin.  Always have a health practitioner or doctor monitor and adjust your dosage as needed.

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Flat Stomach Diet Plan – Vitamin B3 Foods

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Omega 3 Weight Loss

What are the benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats found in fish and in plant based foods in the form of DHA, EPA and ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid.)

Omega-3 weight loss – By stabilizing your blood sugar levels and reducing the insulin in your blood, your body’s ability to convert fat into energy is increased making it easier  to metabolize fat.

Omega-3 fatty acids help fight inflammation, reduce blood cholesterol, and boost cellular energy.  Research has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids could also improve heart health, mental health, and eye health  by reducing age related macular degeneration.

Omega-3 Foods:

  • Fatty Fish – Wild Salmon contains the best  ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids.  Sardines, tuna, halibut and mackerel are also good choices.
  • Nuts- Almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachio and walnuts.  Walnuts are the nuts richest in omega 3 fatty acids.  They also contain the most antioxidants of all nuts, which help protect your body from cellular damage that contributes to heart disease, cancer, and premature aging.  In addition, walnuts contain manganese which can help reduce the symptoms of PMS!
  • Flax Seeds -The lignans in flaxseed hulls also help control blood sugar and insulin, reduce the risk of diabetes and certain cancers such as breast and prostate, and  improve gastrointestinal health.
  • Pumpkin Seeds – Pumpkin seeds contain most of the B vitamins, as well as C, D, E, and K. They also contain calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, zinc and phosphorous. Pumpkin seeds are also an excellent source of  Phytosterols and Tryptophan. Pumpkin seeds may also promote prostate health.
  • Dark Leafy Green Vegetables – Kale, spinach, arugula and escarole. Typically low in calories and fat, dark leafy greens are helpful in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. They are also high in dietary fiber, and rich in folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, as well as containing phytochemicals, such as lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene.
  • Olive Oil – Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, D, and Iron. It has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, help maintain digestive tract health, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and the risk of colon cancer.
  • Avoados – Avocados are high in vitamin E, the antioxidant glutathione; fights aging, cancer, and heart disease., folate; helps protect against strokes, lutein; protects against macular degeneration, oleic acid; which has been shown to prevent breast cancer.  Avocados have also been shown inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.

How much Omega-3 do you need?

Omega-3 Supplement

Omega-3 Supplement

But even with all these healthy omega-3 foods to choose from most people don’t get enough from their diets and need to rely on other omega-3 sources, such as fish or krill oil supplements to get the recommended daily amount.

According to The Dr. Oz Show “Getting a daily dose of of DHA (600 to 1000 mg) from supplements is preferable to reap the health benefits. You have a choice of taking a fish oil supplement or one derived from algae or krill, a shrimp-like crustacean.”

 

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Flat Stomach Diet Plan – Omega 3 Foods

 

Comments

Consult your Doctor before taking an Omega-3 supplement

A New Month Begins…

I started my flat stomach diet journey, with The Diet Solution, late last year and right in the middle of a terrible family crisis.  For a lot of people, making a huge change in lifestyle just before the holidays and while going through such a difficult period,  might seem like strange timing. But it helped give me a feeling of having control over at least one part of my life.

Now 2 1/2 months have passed.  I’ve lost 9.4 lbs.  Over the weekend my husband and my son both commented on how much weight I’ve lost. My new way of eating, along with my exercise routine, are just a part of everyday life.  Hey, I’m not perfect and I cheat more than I’d like to admit, but the changes I’ve made show and I’m in no hurry.  It’s import to be consistent but you have to create a healthy lifestyle you can actually live with!

Size 8 Jeans!

Size 8 Jeans!

Last weekend I went shopping for the first time in a very long time.  I’m pleased to report that I purchased 2 pairs of new jeans…size 8!  This weekend I plan to go through my closet and get rid of the frumpy over sized shirts I’ve “borrowed” from my husband and son and add them to the painting clothes pile.

The weight lifting I’ve been doing has started to show too.  My arms are getting toned and I’m looking forward to short sleeves.  This morning I scratched my stomach and I felt muscle!  Not that I don’t still have work to do, but I have to tell you that results like this are a huge motivator to not only keep keep going, but even ramp up my work outs.

I still rely on steel cut oats for breakfast most mornings to help with my craving for carbs and to give me the energy I need to get me through my 2 mile walks.  And, like Isabel suggests, having dinner leftovers for lunch the next day takes the guess work out of what to eat and serves as double duty in the kitchen.  Between that and my cabbage soup I’m good to go!  I also keep nuts on hand to help make sure I get the protein I need.

I’m looking forward to more progress this month.  I don’t love what I see in the mirror yet, but I like what I see happening!

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Update #4

Six Weeks on My Flat Stomach Diet

Well, it was bound to happen.  I hit a dreaded diet plateau.  In the past couple weeks I only lost 2/10 of a pound.  I’m a little frustrated, but I’m not worried.  I mean, my clothes fit better and I even spotted my hip bones last week, so no complaints from me!

As I’ve mentioned before I’m a huge fan of the show The Biggest Loser so I expected this to happen at some point.  The question is “What can I do about it?”  So I did a little research and found a lot of information on how to get back on track and re-energize my weight loss efforts.  I created a blog post which contains some really good tips and trick on how to get off a diet plateau.

I discovered that some of my eating habits were slipping a little and I was giving myself too much slack when it came to my exercise routine.  Honestly, the past 2 months have been unusually stressful (and stress is an enemy of weight loss), what with the Holidays and some other personal issues, but the theme of  The biggest Loser this season is “No Excuses” so I’m not about to make any for myself.

I’ve decided to go back to keeping a food journal, at least for a while.  I’m also upping my exercise to include a 2 mile walk in the morning (I live in a very hilly area) and weight training or Pilates in the afternoon to give my metabolism an extra boost.

I’m going to skip the weigh in for a while and just focus on my food choices and getting enough exercise.  This is really about a life long way taking care of myself  and creating those new habits will take a little while, but it’s worth the effort!

Tips and Tricks to End a Diet Plateau

What Can You Do to Get Off of a Diet Plateau?

  • Keep a Food Journal.  Keeping track of everything you consume can help you identify areas where you may be tripping yourself up.  Be honest and include every nibble and sip.  The bite of a cookie, the oil you used to saute your chicken or the tablespoon of salad dressing you had at lunch can start to add up.  Remember, even 100 extra calories a day can lead to a diet plateau or even weight gain.
  • Eat More Often.  If your plateau is caused by your metabolism slowing down, you may consider eating more, smaller meals throughout the day.  This can help control hunger and keep your metabolism up.
  • Eat More Protein.  Foods high in protein help suppress ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite.  Protein also promotes lean muscle tissue which is beneficial to fat burning.  You actually need 1 gram of protein for each pound of desired body weight daily.
  • Eat More Fruits and Vegetables.  Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables fills you up and helps keep you from eating other foods that are higher in fat and calories.  They also provide your body with healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber.
  • Watch Your Carbs.  Be sure to eat plenty of healthy carbs such as fruits, veggies, beans and whole grains.  But be wary of the extra refined carbs that you might be eating.  These include not only white flour and sugars, but also carbs hidden in foods like ketchup, salad dressings, yogurts and other processed and even “diet” foods.
  • Make Sure You Eat Enough. Don’t make the mistake of cutting calories too much. This can slow your metabolism and cause a diet plateau. You need to consume adequate fuel in order lose body fat, especially if you are active.  Eating a well balanced diet that includes plenty of lean protein, lots of fruit, vegetables and small amounts of healthy fats will keep your metabolism humming and could be the boost you need to end your diet plateau.
  • Watch Your Alcohol Intake.  Alcohol contains empty calories that contribute nothing to your body.  Alcohol also slows down fat burning, because the body focuses on using the alcohol as fuel, rather than burning fat for energy.  Alcohol also dehydrates, and dehydration can make you hungry.
  • Drink Plenty of Water.  Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. So when you feel the urge to snack, drink a glass of water first and see if the urge goes away.  Drinking 16 ounces of COLD water can also increase your BMR so you burn a few more calories.
  • Vary Your Calorie Intake.  If you’ve been eating a certain amount of calories every day but you’ve hit a diet plateau and it’s not working anymore, try alternating high and low calorie days. If you’re consuming 1,700 calories a day, try eating 1,400 on some days and 2,000 on others.  Just be sure not to increase your overall calorie intake for the week.
  • Vary Your Exercise Routine.  Your muscles get used to the same old routine and become more efficient.  Varying your activities will force you to use different muscles which can jump start your metabolism and push you past your diet plateau.  If walking briskly or jogging is your only form of exercise, try adding swimming, cycling or yoga or pilates to your regimen.
  • Intensify Your Work Outs.  The work out that  was challenging for you when you first started may not be so tough anymore.  Boost calorie burning by adding short bursts of higher-intensity movement to your usual routine.  For example, during your 2 mile morning walk, include a few intervals at higher speed or at a higher incline (climb hills if you’re walking outside).  Most experts recommend 30- to 60-second bursts every three to four minutes.  Research has shown you will significantly raise your heart rate during and for up to 6-9 hours after a workout, burning more calories during and after exercise.
  • Increase the amount of time you exercise by an additional 15 to 30 minutes.  You can also add another shorter work out early in the day or in the afternoon.
  • Include Strength Training.  Building and preserving muscle mass is a key factor in reaching a healthy weight because muscle requires more calories to maintain than fat. In fact a pound of muscle burns 50 calories a day compared to a pound of fat which burns a measly 4 calories!

Don’t Give Up!  Remember why you wanted to lose weight to begin with.  Picture the end result and refocus your diet and exercise efforts.  Don’t let a diet plateau, which is no doubt temporary, destroy your motivation and send you right back to where you started.

 

The above is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician when starting a diet and exercise program.

Diet Tips and Tricks

Diet Tips and Tricks

to Help You Lose Weight

There are lots diet tips and tricks you can use every day to help you increase your weight loss efforts…

Eat In: I rarely eat out myself. Did you know that restaurant serving sizes can be more than twice as much as you would tend to serve yourself at home? Not to mention, you don’t know exactly what’s in the food.

Use a smaller Plate: This will help you cut down on your portion sizes and help lead to weight loss. This is one of my favorite diet tips and tricks.  I always use a salad plate at dinner time!

Eat your vegetables first: They taste better when they’re hot anyway!

Cut the Junk: Make every calorie count! Avoid the empty calories in processed and fried foods, salty snacks, candy and sugary drinks.  Choose water or green tea and fresh fruits and nuts as snacks.

Avoid added fat: Adding butter, sour cream and certain other condiments to your food is just adding calories.  Always order your salad dressing on the side!

Eat when you’re hungry: Listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry.  There are schools of thought that tell us to “eat within an hour of waking” or “eat every 3 hours” or “eat 6 small meals a day.”  But we’re all different and the bottom line is that to lose weight we need to eat fewer calories than we burn.  Waiting until you’re starving to fuel your body not only slows metabolism but can encourage you to make poor food choices.  So keep healthy snacks handy to avoid temptation between meals.

Eat These Foods to Help Burn Fat: Eat to lose by choosing foods that help boost your metabolism.
Foods  high in protein, such as lean meats, eggs, nuts and legumes, take more work to break down, so your body burns more calories to digest them.

Foods high in capsaicin like hot peppers and spices like cayenne pepper might also have metabolism-boosting benefits. These foods can actually increase the calories you burn, and in some cases, reduce cravings for less healthy choices.

Foods with omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and sardines, can affect the levels of the hormone leptin, and studies have associated lower levels of leptin with burning more calories.

Add Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to your diet: Ghrelin is the hormone that signals hunger and increases appetite. Consuming 2 Tablespoons of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar before a high carb meal can help to reduce Ghrelin levels.

Limit eating in the evening: Losing weight is simply a matter of burning more calories than you consume, but between dinner and snacking some people do tend to eat most of their calories in the evening.  So if this describes you, and you limit your calorie intake at night, this is one of the diet tips and trick will probably work for you.

Drink your water: A study at Virginia Tech University found that people who drank 16 ounces of water before meals consumed between 75 and 90 fewer calories than a control group.  Even though all participants in the study were on low-calorie diets, the dieters who drank their water lost more weight than those who didn’t.

Skip the soda: The average American drinks over 50 gallons of soda each year.  And most of those soft drinks are full of corn syrup and sugar.  All that sugar spikes insulin levels and encourages our bodies to store energy as fat.  Diet versions  may be even worse because they’re loaded with chemicals that can effect your health and your weight.  In fact some of the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas have been linked to both obesity and brain tumors.

Eat 30 to 90 minutes before exercising: Consuming 30-60 grams of carbs within 30-90 minutes before exercising will give you more energy and endurance for your workout so you can work harder, burn more calories and build more muscle.  Your body needs some blood sugar for fuel in addition to what it can use from fat stores when you work out.  If you don’t have any blood sugar available, your body will use the glycogen stored in your muscles.

Eat within an hour after you work out: In the hour after a workout muscles absorb the most nutrients, and replace glycogen the most efficiently, as well as keep insulin levels up to help protein synthesis and inhibit muscle protein breakdown.  A small meal that combines both protein and 30-60 grams of carbs will give the best results.
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Watch out for trans fats: These fats raise your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while lowering your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol which leads to increased risk of heart disease and stroke.  Packaged baked goods, as well as some fried foods, shortenings and margarines may also be high in trans fats.  Check food labels for partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is another term for trans fat.  And in the United States if a food has less than .5 grams of trans fat per serving it can be labeled as 0 grams, so servings can add up.
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These are just a few diet tips and tricks you can use to cut calories, rev up your metabolism, burn some extra calories and help speed your weight loss goals without going hungry!

Update #3

flat stomach diet

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year!

This year is off to a great start!  Last Friday was weigh in number 3 on my flat stomach diet plan with The Diet Solution.  I lost another .8 pounds which brings my total weight loss to 4 pounds in 23 days.  Not bad if you consider that I did celebrate New Year’s by holding a Champagne brunch in my home.

The Diet Solution offers a wide variety of delicious foods to choose from so the food wasn’t problem.  I did indulge in more than one Mimosa though!

I also skipped my cabbage soup last week but I made a big batch yesterday to enjoy this week.  Yes, there are tons of food choices, but I just find it easier to know what I’m going to eat during the day and to have it ready to go when I’m ready to eat.

While I’ve decided to save taking measurements until the end of my first month, I did check out my waist to see how much progress I’ve made there.  I mean, I can tell by looking in the mirror and by how my clothes fit that this flat stomach diet is working.  I’ve lost a full inch already!

I’ve found the Live Strong site to be very helpful as far as calculating the calorie content of foods, the amount of calories I need per day to reach my weight loss goals and the amount of calories I burn through exercise.  There really is so much information and so many resources there, I strongly recommend you check it out!

So with just a few days to go in month one of my flat stomach diet I’ve already exceeded my goal of 1 pound per week.  I’m on track to lose 5 pounds in the first month.  That’s 20-25% of my weight loss goal in only one month.  And it was so easy!

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