Habits that slim you down

Adopting healthy habits is truly the best way to slim down permanently. While many people seek weight loss through quick diets and even fasts aka “cleanses,” if you want to achieve permanent results, the best strategy is to adopt a healthy lifestyle so that you can maintain for the long term. Below are the some of the top healthy habits that medical weight loss centers recommend.

Keep your metabolism revved. When you eat three large meals per day, your metabolism slows down in between them. It’s better to stoke your metabolism several times a day by having a small, healthy snack every three to four hours. This will help you to burn more calories overall throughout the day. Try some fruits and vegetables for a fiber-rich snack—the volume will fill you up—or protein-packed Greek yogurt with berries, a handful of almonds, or if you’re on the go, try products for weight loss, such as a protein bar or smoothie.

Energize with green tea. Instead of reaching for a sugary soda or juice drink, weight loss centers recommend opting for a cup of green tea. It contains catechins and caffeine, which will kick your metabolism into high gear, and other healthy antioxidants that contribute to glowing skin, reduced risk of illness and overall health.

Forget the old rule. You know the one—clean your plate. Instead practice portion control and eat slowly so that your stomach has time to signal your brain that it’s full. Give it around 20 minutes, and chances are, you’ll be ready to push that plate away.

Spice it up. There’s a reason why many products for weight loss and supplements contain certain spices—they can boost your metabolism for several hours and boast antioxidant properties. Try cinnamon, cayenne, curry, chopped red or green chili pepper to experience their metabolic benefits.

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Easy fat burning strategies

Our metabolism slows for a variety of reasons, including age and weight gain, among many other factors. When this happens, we tend to burn less calories and fat. While you can’t stop the aging process, you can diet take steps to burn more fat and calories. Here are a few ways to boost your metabolism and burn fat so that you can get back into those skinny jeans.

Boost your protein consumption. Eating protein is a great way to speed up your metabolism and increase lean muscle mass, which boosts your ability to burn calories. In addition, your digestive system requires more energy to process protein, which results in you feeling fuller longer.

Do strength training. One of the best ways to burn fat is to increase lean muscle mass—one pound of muscle can burn up to nine times the calories a pound of fat can. Strength training also increases your resting metabolic rate, which burns fat all day long.

Drink lots of water. Research shows that drinking about two glasses of water in an hour increases your metabolic rate and helps you torch more calories and fat. Plus, hunger is often mistaken for thirst, so consistent hydration will ensure that you don’t overeat.

Drink green tea. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and catechins, which studies show to increase norepinephrine, a chemical in our brain that bolsters our metabolism.

Eliminate alcohol.  Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which results in a slower metabolism.

Increase fish consumption. Research shows that eating fish lowers levels of leptin, a hormone that is linked to a sluggish metabolism and weight gain.

Eat breakfast. Our metabolism slows down while we sleep—eating breakfast ends starvation mode and revs up your metabolism again. 

image: vitaminfix.com

Losing holiday weight with easy weight loss programs

Okay, so the Super Bowl is over and the holidays should be a distant memory. But what about those extra pounds you gained during all those holiday feasts, parties and imbibing? If they’re clinging to your waistline without any sign of budging, it’s probably time to put those easy weight loss programs into effect and start adopting healthy habits.

1. Give up sweets. As of now, there is really no room for refined sugar in your diet. Eliminate soda, baked goods, candy and chocolate. If your sweet tooth is a killer, try to satiate it with products for weight loss that are designed to curb sugar cravings or perhaps some dark chocolate as a special treat once a week.
2. Seriously increase your water intake. Drink at least eight to 10 glasses per day. Try to have one glass before each snack or meal, and one during. This will help you fill up before your meal and ensure that you don’t overeat as a result of mistaking thirst for hunger.
3. Plan out an exercise schedule and write it down. Writing down your exercise goals will help you stay focused, and scheduling in advance will help you maintain your commitment. If you workout with a personal trainer or take classes, buy some sessions in advance so that you'll be extra motivated by the desire to not waste money.
4.  Limit your carb intake. To have success with easy weight loss programs, fill up with lean protein, which helps build muscle mass and burn more fat and calories, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Lower your carb consumption for awhile, and make sure you only eat complex carbs, aka healthy carbs.
5. Stick with healthy snacks. Instead of heading for the vending machines at the office, bring healthy snacks such as apples, vegetable sticks with hummus, unsalted cashews or pistachios, and other voluminous foods. The volume will fill you up and the fiber will aid digestion and help you feel fuller longer. There is also a wide array of products for weight loss available such as Control Crisps and shakes that will help regulate your blood sugar while curbing your appetite.
   
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