by Scott E. Gilstrap
How many times have you purchased a diet program or a diet pill that promised you will “Get Trim Fast” or have the pounds melting off of you in a matter of weeks? We’ve all done it; boy I sure have. But after sinking our hard earned money into these schemes, we soon discover we can’t keep with it, so we give up — and most likely end up in worse shape than when you started! You want to look your best, that’s why you are here reading this article; and you know the health benefits of being trim and losing weight are so beneficial to a healthy lifestyle — it’s common sense. But then why are roughly 65% of American’s overweight? The diet plans out there, most of them anyway, simply don’t work. The good news is, you really can get trim fast, and enjoy that rapid weight loss that will make heads turn in no time!
As you should with any weight loss program, I recommend you talk to your doctor before starting anything. He or she can help you review different plans, weed out the scams, and assist you in picking the best plan that will work for you. Additionally, I have put together these six powerful rapid weight loss tips — follow these and you’ll be amazed at the rate your body is changing. Warning however; you may have to get a new wardrobe!
1. Equalize yo’self! Don’t concentrate on just one aspect; you should have a proper balance of a motivated attitude, routine exercise (that includes cardio and strength training), good nutrition, and maybe diet supplements (if you chose to go that route). You should develop a nutrition plan that balances out lean proteins, good fats (such as olive oil, salmon, almonds, etc.), and low glycemic carbs (whole grain breads and pasta’s). Couple that with a fitness plan that includes both aerobic and anaerobic exercises, and ensure you gradually increase your intensity daily as your body begins to develop and get stronger.
2. Establish challenging but attainable goals. With the right attitude and mindset you’ll be well on your way to melting those extra inches and getting trim. You need to have your goals in mind, and they should be realistic. If you are in your forties, it’s highly improbable that you will be able to get back to the weight you were in high school if you haven’t been that slim in over 20 years.
3. Listen to your body. Were not all the same. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. Your metabolism reacts differently than your neighbors. Diet and exercise programs that are a once size fits all type of systems may not be your choice, unless you try several of them until you find the one that works for you. Find a program that not only does cardio, but strength and muscle conditioning as well ” the more muscle you have, the higher metabolism ” the more calories you burn!
4. Put fiber on your pedestal! I don’t know why this seems like such a secret, since it’s rarely ever mentioned in diet plans — but fiber has an amazing effect on boosting your weight loss! It acts as an appetite suppressant making you feel full quickly, it takes longer to digest so you stay full longer, it’s loaded with vitamin and minerals, and it has this amazing effect of increasing your insulin levels which sky-rocket your metabolism! With that increased metabolic rate, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll be burning more calories all day.
5. You know the enemy, and it’s been fried! Saturated and trans fats are the enemy I am speaking of, and you’ll find them in abundant amounts in fried and deep fried foods. Saturated and trans fats will bring your metabolism to a halt, which will kill your daily caloric burn. They are also very bad for your heart by raising your cholesterol. As tasty as those deep fried chicken wings and french fries are, stay away, far away. Instead, go for some broiled or grilled lean meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish. You body will thank you, and you’ll be heading down that road of quick weight loss.
6. Water, water, water. Did I say water? Proper hydration is crucial for a healthy rapid weight loss plan. You should be drinking at LEAST eight glasses of water daily, and more based on your exersize and diet plan. High-protein/low-carb diets as well as higher intensity exercise programs require more water. Additionally, water eliminates the body’s waste, which is essential to rapid weight loss.
7. Forget about low fat diets. That’s a shocker huh? Truth is, they don’t work. American’s have been sold that low fat diet myth now for over 20 years and, are we any slimmer? No, quite the contrary. We need fat in our diets, in fact, you can’t effectively or quickly lose body fat without it. However, don’t go running out and ordering those french fries, we already covered that in point #5. You need health fats. Fats like monounsaturated (olive, peanut, or canola oils) and polyunsaturated fats (like fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts). Your body needs them, it’s an appetite suppressant and stunts hunger. Just keep in mind, to lose weight, we reduce our caloric intake, not eliminate fats.
So there you have it, your seven powerful tips to get you down the road to quick weight loss. Remember, discipline and consistency is the key. Focus on good, healthy nutrition, reduced calories, gradually more intensive fitness routines, and the right amount of supplements. Do this consistently. Do it daily. Make it a lifestyle change. Every day it will become easier, and once you notice the results, you will amaze even yourself. Follow those 7 tips and you’ll be well on your way to a slimmer, healthier, and trimmer you.
