How to lose weight and keep it off (Part 1)

The most popular New Year’s resolution is to lose weight especially after the Thanksgiving and the end of the year holidays. Local gyms will be packed with people trying to attempt to achieve their goal. Not many will succeed. I’m not a doctor or dietician, but I have several years of experience in losing weight whether it be cutting weight for wrestling in high school and in college, slimming down because I’ve spent the past month eating fast food, or losing weight because of food poisoning. It’s all pretty much the same.

There are three main areas you need to be aware of to lose and maintain your weight; diet, exercise, and motivation.

Let’s start with ‘dieting’. In order to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you consume (it’s easier said than done). Avoid high calorie foods or densed foods such as those that contain a lot of (refined) sugar. For example, one oreo cookie contains about the same calories as one banana. So next time when you’re craving for a snack grab a banana. You’ll feel better for it, plus its more filling.

Increasing the number of meals and lessen the portions will help you lose weight. By constantly having small amounts of food your body will have feul to consistantly burn which in the end increases your metabolism. Seperating your meals apart will put your body in a mode where it will store the extra calories rather than burning it which will slow your metabolism and increase your weight.

Eat more slowly. Once your stomach has some food it takes several minutes for the stomach to contract and start digesting. Avoid stuffing your face with all the food you can pile on your plate and instead get enough food that can fit in the palm of your hand. Take smaller bites. Get a routine going like taking a bite, then sip your drink, and start a small conversation at the table (try not to talk with your mouth full). You can even try eating with a fork or a set of chopsticks as it will help you stuff food in your mouth slower.

These are some of the few tips that can help you stay on track on losing those pounds. Stay tuned for part II.

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