subject: The Essential Tips to Lose Weight Fast [print this page] The Essential Tips to Lose Weight Fast The Essential Tips to Lose Weight Fast
If you want to lose weight fast and consistently, the first thing you should know is that it is not rocket science. There are no 'secret strategies', and you have no reason to feel daunted. All it takes is making some healthy changes to your lifestyle, and importantly, maintaining that healthy life. Here are some of the most essential tips to lose weight.
Increasing Your Metabolism is the Key
It is important to know that losing weight is not just about cutting calories. In fact, most overweight people don't actually overeat, and need not cut their overall calorie consumption. Rather, the key to weight loss is increasing the rate at which your body burns calories, i.e., your metabolism. All the healthy lifestyle changes mentioned below will help you do just that.
Drink Lots of Water to Get Slim!
This is perhaps the easiest lifestyle change to incorporate. Most people don't drink enough water, even though water is the most natural and healthiest drink for human beings. You should be having at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. This will help cleanse your system of toxins as well as boost your metabolism. Also, if you substitute those glasses of sugar-intensive sweet drinks and colas with water, you will automatically be cutting down on unhealthy calories. If you feel like something sweet, try to pick up an unsweetened juice rather than a cola.
Cut-down on Processed Foods
Processed foods, fried foods, sugar-intensive meals and refined flour-based meals not only load your body with unhealthy and unnecessary calories; they also slow down your metabolism. Replace these with wholesome, natural and unprocessed meals as far as possible. At least one portions of fruits and vegetables everyday is a must. If you are feeling pukish between meals, have a fruit rather than that pack of chips.
Lean Proteins
Your meals, especially breakfast, should include a source of lean proteins. Lean proteins make you feel satisfied, boost your metabolism and keep your insulin and blood sugar levels under control. Seeds, nuts, chicken, fish and eggs are the best natural sources of lean protein.
Eat Frequently
Many people think starving themselves is the way forward to get slim. That is absolutely wrong. If you don't eat frequently, your body begins to prepare itself for famine conditions and starts to store fat rather than burning it! What you should be doing is eating relatively small meals at least 5-6 times a day. This way your body will not store away extra energy in the form of fat. Additionally, every time your body digests food, it burns calories, so the more times you engage it in digestion, the faster your metabolism. So, if you wish to consume 2000 calories a day, it is better to consume it over 5 meals rather than 3.
Exercise
Finally, you must remember that diet is only half the battle. Exercise is equally important if you wish to boost your metabolism and burn fat. Try and incorporate some cardiovascular exercise into your routine. The simplest way to begin is with a 20-minute brisk walk everyday. The other effective exercises are running, swimming, cycling, or any sport for that matter. However, whatever form of exercise you choose, you should do it for at least 20 minutes at a stretch to gain a significant health advantage.
Finally, remember that long-term and sustainable lifestyle changes and consistent weight loss are ultimately far more productive than any program that guarantees that you will lose weight fast.
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