When it comes to losing weight, we’re bombarded with options to buy things, such as work-out equipment, supplements, and special diet foods. The one thing missing from all the hype and advertising is the simple advice to consult your physician. A doctor has your health in mind, while those pushing their weight loss products are only interested in your money.
If you’re dieting, try replacing all beverages with plain water. Other drinks, like soda and coffee have too many calories. Water is easy on the wallet because it is cheap, and it is easy on the waistline.
If you love potatoes and are trying to lose weight, you can make a delicious mashed potato meal, substituting it with cauliflower. Cook them in a pot that is covered with water and some onion that is chopped. Cook this until tender and finish by pureeing it with veggie or chicken broth and black pepper. This can make a great side dish with plenty of nutrition and a fraction of the calories and carbs of mashed potatoes.
One tip to help in weight loss is to only eat the whites of the eggs. Yolks are high in cholesterol and fat. Egg whites are a great source of good protein.
Most people enjoy french fries. However, these little fries can sabotage your weight loss goals. However, you can have your french fries and still not sabotage your diet by baking instead of frying. Cut potatoes into 1/2″ fries, toss in a large bowl with 1 tbsp. of oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and a bit of rosemary if you like, and bake in a single layer at 400 degrees for 30 min. Turn them over and bake for another 10 minutes. They’re really delicious with ketchup, a lot lower in calories and you’ll never miss the deep frying. Thanks to Laurel’s Kitchen cookbook for these “French Bakes”!
Work your way around bad weight gaining habits by adapting to new weight loss habits. By making positive changes, you can stick to your diet. Don’t think so much about what you can’t have, but focus on exchanging something good – like a fruit smoothie – for that sausage and egg morning biscuit you used to pick up. Over the course of your diet, you will find that new, healthier eating habits are much more beneficial across the board than keeping those previous habits.
When losing weight you may want to eat a nice meal at a restaurant. Remember, the portion sizes are rather large. You can always take home half of your meal. In addition to your having avoided consuming excess calories, you now have a great lunch for the following day.
Look for friends to go and exercise with. It will make exercise more fun for you because you have the opportunity to socialize while doing it. Both of you can push each other and keep yourselves motivates with good conversation while working out. By making exercise fun, you will want to keep doing it and therefore lose more weight.
You can illustrate your progress very easily by taking before and after photos of yourself. This can give you a glimpse into your progress or lack thereof during your regimen. Also, your friends can see your progression.
Avocados are a wonderful weight loss food. The fat in avocados is unsaturated fat, which is healthy for you. They have a silky and rich texture to them, making them a satisfying choice to reduce the amount of unhealthy fats in the diet. A taco with avocado is just as tasty as one that has meat and it is much healthier.
Try losing weight with a buddy so that you two can help each other stay motivated. This allows you to gain more motivation at rough points during your program. By having someone to be accountable to, you are less likely to give up on your goals and hit the snooze button in the morning.
Tracking your caloric intake is essential when you are determined to shed excess weight. Most people greatly underestimate the true amount of calories that they consume each day. Keeping a weight loss and calorie intake journal also helps you see your progress, to document goals and how long it took to achieve them. You can track calories by simply writing them in a notebook or you can use a spreadsheet.
If you enjoy salad dressing and other dips, use a healthy dressing instead or use hummus. Doing that will help you save a ton of fat and calories if you tend to eat that often.
If you tend to gain weight easily, avoid buffets. Buffet or cafeteria-style restaurants persuade you to eat larger quantities of food, so that you can feel like you have gotten a good value for your money. This can not only make you sick, but the long-term effects can be devastating.
Don’t quit to easily when you are tying to lose weight. During your weight lose routine there will be moment of weakness and even setbacks when you aren’t sticking to eating properly or exercising enough. Make sure to push these feelings to the side and stay on course. You can adjust your goals to compensate for your setbacks, and start over if you need to.
Eating healthy while you are traveling is hard. Instead of stopping off at restaurants along your trip, take with you healthy food alternatives. Bring along some of your favorite fruits or vegetables, and snack items like granola, cheese or nuts. Not only are these healthy, they’re very simple to eat when traveling. Also, do not forget the water.
Taking the time to pay your doctor a visit can greatly benefit your efforts to lose weight. Not only will your individual health and needs be taken into consideration, but you’ll be better informed and given more realistic expectations. In addition, this guidance from your doctor is likely to save you money. With professional guidance, you do not need to waste money on products or weight loss plans that may or may not prove successful.
