Obesity has become an epidemic not just in the United States, but around the world. Many diet plans have been developed as a result, with varying rates of success. One diet program that is proving to be effective is DASH – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. DASH was named as the best diet plan for the last eight years byU.S. News & World Report. Apart from hypertension (commonly known as high blood pressure), DASH is also known to fight diabetes, maintain heart health and help lower cholesterol levels.
Formulated by theNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the DASH diet was initially developed for people who want to take control of their hypertension. But, the diet soon gained traction among dieters, who found it helped them lose weight more effectively. As is known to most who want to lose weight, several nutritional factors that affect blood pressure also influence weight – such as sugar, trans fats and processed foods in general.
What is the DASH diet and how does it work?
The DASH diet works on the principle of cutting down on sodium consumption. You are advised to primarily focus on eating vegetables, fruits, and dairy foods. As far as dairy is concerned, you should choose low-fat options because they have less added salt. You also need to have some fish, poultry, whole grains, and nuts.
The amount of salt you should have depends on the type of DASH diet you are on:
The standard DASH diet – allowed to have up to 2,300 mg of sodium daily.
The low-sodium DASH diet – allowed to have 1,500 mg of sodium daily.
Unlike many other high-profile diet plans, DASH does not squarely focus on eliminating starches. When it comes to losing weight, sustainability is the key. Therefore, for best results, you need to follow a diet plan and continue it for a long time. But the problem when you select a low-carb diet plan is that it becomes hard for you to keep carbs at bay over the long term. However, the DASH diet is more palatable, making compliance easier.
The only restrictions in case of the DASH diet are to avoid sugar, fats, processed foods and sodium. Saying no to processed foods can solve most of your sugar, fat, and sodium problem. The ultra-processed foods an average American consumes in a day contributes 58% of the total calories, 90% of added sugars and 75% of sodium.
There is no doubt that processed foods contain excess salt, which increases the risk of diseases like hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. Cutting down the intake of salt can substantially lower these risks. But, it is not just these diseases that are linked to a high sodium diet – there is a distinct connection between high blood pressure and weight that cannot be overlooked.
What can I eat?! What does a typical DASH diet include?
One of the first questions people ask before starting a diet, is… what can I eat?! The Dairy Alliance and Registered dietitian Sarah-Jane Bedwell combined efforts on a video detailing some menu items that qualify for the DASH Diet.
For moderately active people ages 19 to 51, DASH requires a 2,000 calorie diet per day. This is what the DASH diet menu would read like:
Grains – The ideal scenario is to consume 6-8 servings of grains every day. You should have more of whole grains because they contain nutrients and fiber in abundance. Choose products that display 100% whole grain labels.
Vegetables – Followers of the DASH diet should have 4-5 servings of vegetables every day. Add vegetables such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and other leafy veggies to your diet, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Fruits – You should have a minimum of 4-5 servings of fruit, as it raises your energy levels and increases the fiber content in your body. You can have fruits such as apples, pears and grapefruit because these are a rich source of fiber and antioxidants.
Meat, fish, and poultry – It is always good to have meat in moderation, and that is what the DASH diet recommends. Meat contains iron, protein, B-complex vitamins and zinc. Have 4-6 servings of lean, skinless meat daily.
Dairy products – Milk and other dairy products contain protein, calcium, and vitamin D in sufficient quantity. However, select low-fat/fat-free products. You should have a minimum of 2-3 servings of dairy daily. Substitute with lactose-free dairy products if you are allergic to milk.
Oils and fats – Fats are essential for the body, as they help absorb vitamins, which helps keep the immune system in balance. Limit your fats and oil intake to 2-3 servings daily. The DASH diet recommends limiting your daily consumption of fat to under 27% and saturated fats to 7% or less.
Nuts, seeds, peas and dry beans – You should have 4-5 servings of nuts, seeds and beans every week. Nuts don’t have a good reputation because they are high in fat, but if consumed as recommended in the DASH diet, they are beneficial, as nuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats. You can have cashews, almonds, peas, sunflower seeds, pistachio, beans, and lentils, which are rich in fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Sweets –You can have sweets, but in moderation – keeping it to five servings a week. If you consider low-fat treats – such as jelly beans, fruit ices, granola bars and low-fat cookies – be sure to read the label for their sugar content, which can be high.
A balanced diet like DASH is planned to keep you feeling full. You have sufficient fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber and enough lean protein that makes you feel full most of the time. DASH also reduces calorie intake, which helps you lose weight quickly. When you feel satisfied with your food intake, instead of constantly hungry, you are more likely to increase your physical activity, which also helps weight loss.
As everyone is different, it is always advisable to follow a customized diet plan.Solutions Weight Lossoffers effective, proven medically supervised weight loss programs that are tailored to each individual.Dr. Newsome and our entire team provide comprehensive support to every client in reaching their goal. Contact us today to learn more.
Obesity is a global epidemic in both adults and children. It is a major health problem in the United States, as one out of every three Americans is considered obese. Obesity is known to be a risk factor for many life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease (also referred to as cardiovascular or coronary artery disease). It is also known to increase the chances of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, and some forms of cancer.
Obesity in America: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 36.5% (one third) of U.S. adults are obese. The percentage of children and adolescents ages 2-19 is about around 17%, representing a number of 12.7 million!
With the increase in the obesity levels among American adults, heart disease is on the rise. The CDC reports that heart disease is the cause of one out of every four deaths in America, claiming about 610,000 lives annually.
What is obesity?
According to the CDC, weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used as a screening tool for overweight or obesity.
BMI
BMI is a formula that takes into account your height and weight. BMI indicating a healthy weight is between 18.5-24.9. A BMI between 25-29.9 is considered overweight, with obesity starting at a BMI over 30.
Waist circumference
Abdominal, or belly fat, is known to increase the risk of heart disease. Waist circumference is the width of your waist slightly above the naval area. For men, if your waist is more than 40 inches, the risk of heart disease increases significantly. For women, the risk increases if your waist size is more than 35 inches.
Obesity and heart disease
Also, obesity can increase your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Obesity can also reduce your HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It can increase your blood pressure level, and might induce diabetes, which in some cases can worsen your risk factor for heart disease. Obesity is also known to enlarge the left ventricle (called left ventricular hypertrophy), which increases the risk of heart failure.
How to Lose Weight and Avoid Heart Disease
Those about to undergo a significant weight reduction program should do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure that safe, medically sound steps are followed. Core to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, however, are healthy eating habits and an overall wellness-oriented lifestyle.
Cut down on sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages – High amounts of sugar increases your overall weight and – more specifically – belly fat. Also, read the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods for high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient, and avoid when possible.
Add soluble fiber to your diet – Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a type of gel in your gut, which slows sugar absorption into your bloodstream, which helps your body store less fat.
Include protein in your diet – A high-protein diet can help in weight loss. Standard protein requirements are at least 50 grams a day for women; about 60 grams per day for men. Again, get advice from a healthcare professional before starting a weight-loss program to confirm if a high-protein diet would be beneficial for your individual health concerns and target goals.
Cut down on alcohol –Alcoholic drinks contain many more calories than most people think. A 20-ounce serving of beer can pack 250 calories, a 6-ounce glass of wine contains 120, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor contains about 100. And that’s without any sugary mixers.
Pay attention to carbohydrates – You don’t need to start on a zero-carb diet (which is taking the other, also unhealthy, extreme), but switch from refined carbohydrates to unprocessed carbs. This will not just decrease your weight; it can also improve your metabolic health.
Increase physical activity – You can start slowly, increasing your workout time to at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, every week. Or, a high-intensity aerobic exercise like jogging for 75 minutes every week (or a combination of both), as well as muscle-strengthening exercises. Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Get enough sleep – Sound sleep is not just important for your overall good health, it is also essential for your weight loss goal. If you are not able to sleep properly, you tend to gain more weight. This is because people tend to eat more when they don’t get adequate sleep.
Managing stress efficiently – Stress is part of daily life, and you need to find ways to manage it well. You can opt for meditation, exercise, or hobbies to alleviate your stress. Also, some people tend to overeat when they are under stress. It is important that you manage your stress so that you keep your focus firmly on your weight loss goal.
If you are ready to change your life – and your health – for the better, our experienced physicians at Solutions Weight Loss are here to provide you with an individual, medically supervised plan to help you meet your goals. We also apply advanced weight loss treatments and protocols that are not available over the counter. We welcome you to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
For many individuals losing weight is a tough nut to crack. It is a battle that tests your willpower to the limit.
But, keeping your body in shape is an incentive very few can resist. People want to lose weight, and get rid of body fat, not just for the sake of beauty, but also because it helps you stay healthy.
The growing awareness about health issues related to weight gain provides the required thrust to scores of people around the world to fight this deadly menace called obesity. After all, obesity increases the risk of several diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some forms of cancer.
Losing weight might seem a difficult task to accomplish, but it certainly is not impossible. In fact, there is nothing in this world that you can’t do, all it requires is a bit of determination, some hard work, and the right kind of advice.
You must be aware of the basic mantra of losing weight – eat less and exercise more. But, when it comes to losing weight there is more to it than just move more and eat less. And, it is quite possible that the advice you are following is flawed or outdated.
No one is perfect, we all make mistakes. A mature person is one who learns from his or mistake and moves on in life.
In this blog, we will take you through some common mistakes individuals commit when trying to lose weight.
As mentioned earlier, nothing is impossible, all it requires is a bit of application, self-control, and determination.
There are methods you can adopt to lose weight, and do it effectively. For starters, eating a balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis are two things that is sure to keep your weight in check.
But, losing weight is a task which requires perfection. If you are not getting the desired result despite the best of your efforts, then it is quite possible that something is amiss.
Trying to Lose Weight? Don’t Make These Common Diet Mistakes!
1- Focusing only on the scale weight – The scale reading does not always give you the correct picture. You are not alone if you feel that you are not shedding weight quickly enough, despite adhering to a strict diet and exercise regimen.
There are various ways to measure whether you are losing weight or not, and scale weight is just one of them. Several things can affect your weight, including water retention (or fluid fluctuations) and the food that remains in your system. Depending on what you have eaten and the amount of liquid you consume, your weight can vary as much as 4 pounds during a day.
If the reading on the scale is stagnant, you might well be shedding fat mass, but retaining water. There are a lot many things that you can do to lose water weight. Also, with a strict exercise regimen in place, it is quite possible that you are adding muscle mass to your body while losing fat.
Hence, even when the scale shows no positive movement, you might notice that your waistline has reduced (your clothes become loose, especially around your waist).
Don’t concentrate too much on the scale weight, instead take a tape measure and start keeping a tab on your waistline. Alternatively, you can click your pictures on a monthly basis and see the difference.
2- Also, focusing too much on what you can’t have – Losing weight is as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one. You should not just concentrate on things you can’t have, instead focus on foods that you can eat.
You can get into depression if you keep thinking that you can’t have dessert, alcohol, sugar, cheese and/ or bread. Instead, focus on the superfoods you are allowed to eat, which is not just good for your weight loss program, but is also excellent for your overall health.
Moreover, if you can have foods that you like the most in moderation, then you can have everything. But, the key here is “moderation’.
The main aim when embarking on a weight loss program is to keep negative thoughts at bay and focus on the positives.
3- Not keeping a check on calorie intake – You need to burn more calories than you consume if you want to lose weight. A calorie deficit is the need of the hour if you have plans to shed those extra pounds. Earlier, it was thought that bringing down the calorie intake by 3,500 per week would result in a one-pound loss of fat. But, recent studies show that calorie deficit needs are different for every individual.
Many people think that they are not consuming too many calories. But, the fact of the matter is that we tend to miscalculate and underreport when it comes to what we eat. You could have switched to healthy foods like cheese and nuts, but don’t forget that they are high in calories. Hence, you have to control the amount you eat – portion size is the key here.
On the contrary, you should not decrease your calorie intake drastically. Unless you are strictly following the 800 calorie diet, if your calorie intake is less than 1, 000 per day, then it can slow down your metabolism and also cause muscle loss.
4- Not drinking adequate amount of water – We tend to concentrate too much on the food we can eat and those
that we can’t, but forget the importance of water. More than seventy percent of our body is made of water. Drinking less water during your weight loss schedule can hamper your efforts, hence, always keep yourself hydrated.
Water also keeps helps keep your skin looking youthful so drink up! If you’re not a fan of water and think you can’t get your recommended 8 glasses per day in, try “infused water” and flavor it with lemons, limes, or cucumbers.
Research suggests that drinking water, soup, or having a water rich salad before the start of your meal can lower the amount of food you eat. Water decreases your appetite and you tend to eat less during your meal. Also, when you stay hydrated, it can ward off headaches, and headaches are known to trigger stress eating.
5- Exercising more or not exercising at all – Exercising is essential not just for weight loss, but also for keeping your health in good shape. And, when you cut down on your calories without doing any exercise, you are likely to lose more muscle mass, and it would also slow down your metabolic rate.
Exercising help you lose more fat, it decreases the loss of lean mass and keeps your metabolic rate in check.
But, exercising helps you if you don’t overdo it. If you start over-exercising, even this can lead to a lot of problems. Excessive exercising is not manageable for many in the long run, and it also increases your stress levels. Too much exercise is not advisable if you are planning to lose weight and it is also not good for your health.’
Add cardio and weight lifting exercises to your schedule (several times a week) to keep your metabolic rate in check and lose weight.
6- Meal skipping – This is a mistake many people commit without realizing that it never helps the cause of weight loss. When you deprive your body of food, it hits your metabolism hard, which certainly does not help the cause of weight loss.
When you eat after a long gap, you tend to eat more than usual. This overeating can only increase your weight, instead of helping you lose any. You should not go hungry for more than 4 – 5 hours at a stretch. Always eat a healthy something during the meals.
Never skip a meal because it can only hamper your weight loss efforts.
7- Relying too much on “Diet” or low fat foods – Processed diet or low foods are not good for anybody’s health, and it certainly is not recommended if you are on a weight loss program.
Many diet products need sugar to enhance their taste. For example, one cup of low fat or diet yogurt (fruit flavored) can have as much as 47 grams of sugar, (which is equal to 12 teaspoons of sugar).
Low fat or diet foods don’t make you feel full; they can only make you hungrier. And, this is the reason that you end up eating more food.
Hence, try to have less of processed foods, and select a diet that is high in nutrition.
8- Not eating sufficient protein – If you want to lose weight, then you should eat protein in
abundance. Protein reduces your appetite, it increases your metabolic rate and it also decreases the intake of calories. Also, protein keeps your muscle mass intact during the process of weight loss and it makes you feel full.
A diet that is high in protein helps control appetite and also improves body composition.
You can get protein from a variety of sources, one of the most popular ways is in powder form like Primal Protein Powder from Julian Bakery. We like this brand because it only has 2 ingredients, both being organic, and it is free of GMOs, soy, gluten, hormones, and rGBH, and you can use it and stay in ketosis.
9- Not having sufficient amount of fiber – A diet that is low in fiber is not good for your weight loss regimen. Fiber is known to make you feel full and reduces your appetite. A diet rich in fiber can also help you decrease calorie absorption from other foods.
A rich fiber diet is not just good for weight loss; it is also excellent for your health because it keeps your gut in perfect condition.
If you are planning to lose weight, then you need to have a structured plan in place to maximize your efforts. There would be many questions in your mind like what you should eat, things that you must avoid, how much should you exercise and how to optimize your efforts.
Each person is different and so are their needs. To chalk out a workable weight loss strategy just get in touch with Solutions Weight Loss and speak to Dr. Newsome. The expert guidance will help you formulate a concrete plan that would allow you to lose weight effectively and quickly.
At Solutions Weight Loss, we make sure that you follow the correct path and reach your goal well in time.
Obesity is a universal issue that affects many people, and Americans are no different. Particularly, when a new year rolls around the cries of “new year, new me!” can be heard. However, despite the fact that many Americans want to lose weight and get rid of belly fat, most are not successful in their attempts. Obesity is a risk factor for a variety of diseases including heart diseases, strokes, heart attacks, cancer and type 2 diabetes. However, they are all preventable with a health diet.
It is difficult to lose weight in the first place but one thing that is even more challenging is to maintain your weight after shedding those extra pounds. Just as fashions come and go so do many diets. However, there is one diet backed by science that is gaining a lot of popularity called the ketogenic diet.
A ketogenic diet not only helps you to lose weight; it also improves your focus and provides you the much needed energy, but what exactly does it entail.
What is Ketosis & How Does it Work?
A ketogenic diet is extremely low in carbohydrates, contains adequate amount of proteins and is high in fat.
When you reduce the intake of carbohydrates and increase fat consumption, your body slips into a metabolic state, which is referred to as ketosis. This is the state when the body fats start getting converted in to ketones.
Normally, in case of a healthy individual who is on a balanced diet, it is the body that decides the amount of fat it needs to burn. And, in such situations your body doesn’t produce or use ketones. However, when you cut down on carbohydrates, your body switches track and the process of ketosis gets underway. This ensures that the energy requirement of your body is effectively met at all times. The process of ketosis can also set in when you exercise for long durations.
After you spend some time on a ketogenic diet (few weeks), your body gets attuned to burning fats and producing ketones efficiently for energy instead of using carbohydrates.
Also, a ketogenic diet reduces the insulin levels. Other than weight loss, a ketogenic diet increases the production of ketones and maintains lower insulin levels. Hence, it (a keto diet) has many other health benefits as well.
What Does a Ketogenic Diet Include?
Protein is the mainstay of the ketogenic diet and you can eat a variety. From dairy products like cheese, creams and yogurt to meats such as chicken, pork, beef, goat, lamb, seafood and turkey.
You should also include oils and fats such as seeds and nuts. For example olive oil, sesame oil, grass-fed butter, ghee and safflower oil.
You should also include both fruits and vegetables that are low in carbohydrates. Like broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, asparagus, onions and peppers. And Fruits that are are low in sugar like avocados, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.
You can also add spices and herbs to your ketogenic diet, but be on the lookout to see if they contain any added sugar.
A ketogenic diet significantly reduces the intake of carbohydrates, limiting it to between 20 – 50 grams each day from all the sources, including whole and processed foods.
In terms of percentages, this is how a Ketogenic diet for weight loss stacks up
Low carbohydrate intake between 5 – 10% of the total calories
Moderate protein consumption of between 20 – 25% of the total calories
High fat intake, which consists of 70 – 80% of the total calories
However, depending on your height, weight, gender and lean body mass, these percentages might vary from person to person.
Food to Avoid On a Ketogenic Diet
You need to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates. This means cutting down on all the processed foods such as refined sugars and grains, juices, soft drinks, cookies, candies. As well as all flour based items that are baked, low fat products, pastas and breads. Also, avoid whole food carbohydrates such as rice, wheat, oats, corns, barley and rye. You should also steer clear of fruits such as banana, citrus fruits and apples. You also need to avoid peas and beans, white potatoes and other starchy food items.
How Does a Ketogenic Diet Help You Lose Weight?
There is no denying the fact that ketogenic diet is very helpful when it comes to weight loss. A ketogenic diet starts the process of ketosis in your body. This burns the fat in your body for energy instead of carbs because your body is already short on carbohydrates. In a study, it was found that those on a keto diet lost 2.2 times more than people who were on a low fat and low calorie diet. Good cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also found to improve when subjects were on a ketogenic diet.
If you are fed-up of counting your calories each time you sit to have your food, then ketogenic diet is the best available option for you.
Here are 5 Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet
Ketosis burn fats more effectively – When you start consuming a low carb diet and your body is short on carbohydrates then it starts burning fat from your body. In such cases, the primary source of energy changes to fat, which is directly used for energy generation. On a ketogenic diet your body remains in a state of fasting where you burn more fat during your day to day activities. People who find it hard to lose weight beyond a certain point can easily get rid of their unwanted fat once they shift to a ketogenic diet.
Ketosis helps suppress your appetite – A low carb ketogenic diet can help you suppress your appetite by changing the levels of hormones and nutrients that make you feel hungry. It also makes you feel full. When your body is in a state of ketosis, you don’t feel like eating more and you are also able to control cravings for unhealthy and unwanted foods. This clearly means that you are able to better understand the hunger signals emanating from your body and you don’t have to keep counting the calories or start fasting. And, when you are able control your appetite, it is not too difficult to lose weight.
Ketosis help regulate your weight hormones – A ketogenic diet can help you to support your weight loss endeavors by regulating the weight hormones. Once you eat, your intestine releases a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) and CCK in turn stimulates protein and fat digestion, which lowers your appetite. It means that cholecystokinin is a wonderful regulator of how much you eat. In a study, it was found that people who were injected with cholecystokinin stopped having their food earlier than those who were not given CCK. But, as you start losing weight cholecystokinin secretions takes a hit, which means you would feel hungry more often. And, this is where a ketogenic diet (hence ketosis) helps you. A week of being on ketosis is sufficient for your body to increase the levels of cholecystokinin. Ketosis takes your CCK levels back to what it was when you hadn’t lost weight. Needless to say that a ketogenic diet and subsequent ketosis can help you fight the problem of food cravings most of the time once you lose your weight. This significantly lowers your chances of regaining the weight.
Ketosis also regulates your blood sugar levels – Your blood sugar stabilizes when you are on a ketogenic diet, which includes healthy fats, proteins and vegetables. This diet is better than foods that are high in carbs and refined sugars, which have a tendency to raise your blood sugar levels that makes you feel hungry soon again. When you limit your eating, cutting your weight down is not a big issue.
Increases physical stamina – A ketogenic diet substantially increases your stamina as you have constant access to energy from your fat reserves. When you do an intense workout on a regular diet your body’s carbs or glycogen supply lasts for only a few hours. But, when you are on a ketogenic diet your fat reserves can supply energy for a very long period. You don’t just feel more energetic, but you can also do more rigorous exercises, which of course helps you lose weight pretty fast.
For a clear and tangible plan, contact Dr. Newsome atSolutions Weight Loss and get to know how a ketogenic diet will help you cut your weight.
A tried-and-true method for reducing your risk of severe health issues.
Everyone wants to look good and feel good. Getting fit ranks high among most people’s personal goals, especially as we grow older. Who doesn’t want to know how to lose belly fat? When we are young, health and fitness take a back seat to fast food runs and binge-watching our favorite TV shows. But as middle age approaches, you begin to notice the direct relationship between what you eat and how you feel. You may even start to experience health problems, like high blood pressure, insomnia and most commonly: weight gain.
Few things disrupt your confidence like struggling to put on your favorite pair of jeans. You take a deep breath and stretch the waistband to no avail. You find yourself more tired than you used to be. You look in the mirror and just don’t feel right. However, weight gain can affect more than your self-esteem. In some cases, it can be very bad for your long-term health.
Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is stored in the abdominal cavity and surrounds organs such as your pancreas, liver, and intestines. It hides beneath the visible surface fat, potentially increasing your chance of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Some studies link visceral fat to stroke, high cholesterol levels, and inflammation.
How much belly fat is too much?
While not an exact metric, you can get an idea of where you stand by measuring your stomach. Take a measuring tape, and measure your waist around the widest part of your hips. On average, your waistline should be below 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for women.
Keep in mind, that even thin people can have visceral fat. Fat, visible or not, can accumulate due to genetics and lifestyle. Typically, the more active you are, the less belly fat you will accumulate.
Even healthy-weighted individuals who keep a healthy diet, but fail to exercise are likely to have visceral fat.
Reducing belly fat is a challenge, but it is far from impossible. With dedication, determination and a desire to get in shape, anyone can reduce their belly fat. Doing so requires a balance of wellness in multiple aspects of your life. These factors work in tandem to allow your body to work to its fullest potential.
Follow a healthy diet
Whether you are aiming to lose belly fat or just tone up a bit, there is no alternative to a healthy diet. There is no one-size-fits-all miracle solution for weight loss. Nutritional guidelines give a decent framework for building a healthy diet. That said, every body is different. Consulting a nutritionist or doctor before starting your diet can provide insight into your body’s specific nutrient needs.
To burn belly fat, add these things to your diet.
Add soluble fiber to your diet – Fiber helps burn belly fat. A study conducted by Hairston reveals that adding 10 grams of soluble fiber to your daily diet can reduce your visceral fat by as much as 3.7% over a five year period. One cup of green peas, ½ cup of pinto beans, or two mid-sized apples all contain 10 grams of soluble fiber.
Avoid large quantities of alcohol – Modest servings of alcohol, such as a glass of wine, can have a positive effect on your health. Excessive consumption does the exact opposite. Mixed drinks and beer have high-calorie counts, sugar, and excessive carbs. It is easy to drink your way to an increase in belly fat. If you do drink, choose wines and low-calorie cocktails, avoiding mixers like soda and fruit juice.
Reduce your sugar intake – Studies show that high intake of sugar increases abdominal fat. Be aware of other names for sugar, like fructose and sucrose. To much sugar in your diet may lead to chronic diseases like fatty liver, heart problems, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Increase the Protein in your Diet – It is difficult to build a proper weight loss plan without a high protein diet. Protein helps to make you feel full, decreasing your appetite over a longer period of time; similar to the effects of Adipex P. This decreased appetite leads to less binge eating or empty snacking, thus reducing your weight.
Cut down on carbohydrates – If you are serious about losing weight, then you should cut down your intake of simple carbohydrates. If you restrict your carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams per meal, aiming for no more than 150 grams per day, you will burn belly fat. It is most important that you replace refined carbs with unprocessed, complex carbs. Think brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice. Your metabolic health should see a boost as well.
Say no to sugar sweetened beverages – Sweetened beverages have no place in a healthy HCG diet plan. Despite conscious efforts to lower your sugar intake, drinks are often filled with empty calories. These can increase fat in the liver and add extra pounds around the stomach. Soda, juices and sweet tea are notorious for high sugar quantities. Replace these with water, for the most part, supplemented with green tea and coffee.
Skip Fruit Juices– Though fruit juice contains many vitamins and minerals, they contain a lot of sugar, natural and artificial. Both can increase fat in your body. Limit yourself to 8 ounces of fruit juice per day, when on a diet.
Get Active
Vigorous and regular exercise is not only good for weight loss, it is essential in burning belly fat. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes, four days a week.
Walking is a great way to add exercise to your daily routine. Do so at a brisk pace so your heart rate increases and you begin to sweat. When you feel comfortable, start jogging for at least 20 minutes a day, four times a week. You will see similar results, in less time.
Working out on a treadmill, stationary bike and rowing machine are great options as well.
Increasing your heart rate for almost half an hour, for a minimum of three times in a week slows down the process of visceral weight gain.
You don’t even need to get a gym membership. Playing sports, like basketball or soccer with your kids, gardening, raking, and cleaning all benefit your body physically.
You can also do aerobic exercises and lift weights to reduce your visceral fat, but it is advisable to start these exercises under a trained professional.
The most important thing is to stay active.
Manage your stress properly
Everyone experiences varying levels of stress. The way you handle your stress has a tremendous impact on your overall health. If you want to burn belly fat, you need to be able to alleviate stress. There are many ways to go about this. Some prefer meditation and mindfulness practices. Others find solace in spending quality time with friends and family. Exercise is another great option. If you find yourself unable to let go of your stress, consider seeking a professional counselor that specializes in stress management.
With your stress under control, you can make better decisions in regards to your health. Stress often leads to emotional eating, lethargy and a lack of motivation. All of which, can lead to weight gain.
Get Some Sleep
Few people recognize the relationship between sleep and a healthy weight. People who are not able to sleep well gain more weight, including visceral fat.
In a study, conducted over a 5 year period, people who slept for less than 5 hours per night, or more than 8 hours every night gained more visceral fat than those who slept for 6-7 hours every night.
Sleep has a significant role to play when it comes to belly fat. There is a connection between sleep duration and the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which regulate hunger and stimulate the appetite.
If you are ready to discover how to lose belly fat and you need further assistance, just get in touch with Solutions Weight Loss – a medical weight loss Orlando facility. Take charge of your health, appearance, and well-being through a healthy diet, physical activity, stress management and quality sleep.
Apple cider vinegar, much like your first shot of tequila, you need to brace yourself. It’s not going to taste great. You’ll need a shot glass and most likely a chaser. However, unlike tequila, apple cider vinegar with work with your innards for a very rewarding affect…I bet tequila never did that for you.
Yes, the taste is pretty brutal. But we’re all adults here. Take a shot, and reap the benefits.
You will need unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar. Look for one with a label that reads “Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the ‘Mother’”. The “mother” indicates that your cider has bits of the fermentation of the apples floating around in the bottle (you’ll be able to see it). Seeing that fermentation is a confirmation that your vinegar hasn’t been drained. Draining the mother from your vinegar is basically draining the impactful nutrients out.
Remember, it is still always important to consult with your physician before adding a regime of anything, including apple cider vinegar to your diet. Everything should be done in moderation, including apple cider vinegar.
However, including apple cider vinegar in your diet at least on a weekly basis is your first step in converting into a whole foods, super foods, and clean-living goddess. Before you know it you’ll be joining me and using coconut oil as your moisturizer (it works, I swear!).
So now that you know what to buy, here are just a few reasons to encourage to actually buy apple cider vinegar:
Better Hair and Skin:
After shampooing and conditioning, a quick rinse of apple cider vinegar (ACV) can leave your hair with more shine and fighting off dandruff. You do not need much. It’s suggested you put about ½ tablespoon with a cup’s worth of water in a bottle (preferably a recycled detangler bottle) and spritz the mixture through your strands.
If you already use a toner, try making ACV its replacement. It evens skin tone and clears up acne scars. Make it a part of your nightly or morning ritual before you apply moisturizer. The reason for this is because ACV has a pH much closer to our skin which protects a delicate layer of skin from being destroyed by chemical-based toners. (That layer just happens to be the one fighting against bacteria.)
Naturally Heal Your Heart:
Love your heart like apple cider vinegar loves your heart. ACV has acetic acid in it which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart diseases. For people with inherited triglycerides (bad cholesterol), ACV has shown to lower levels as well as blood pressure. In addition to a healthy diet, ACV could be the relief your next bloodwork is waiting for.
Strengthen Your Allergy Defenses:
Go ahead, breathe in that pollen. Yes, you might actually get through allergy season with hearing a few less “bless you’s”! Use ACV to combat mucus build up and strengthens your immune system because of its Vitamin A, B6, and C. Those vitamins naturally ward your body from allergens while it also helps lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage is the movement of a bodily fluid that helps your body’s immunity. This also pertains to clogged noses caused by the flu, which luckily, ACV is known to also help relieve you of a high temperature from the flu.
Joint Pain Relief:
You should really JOIN apple cider vinegar and your joints. While there isn’t scientific basis for this, testimony from personal use has suggested that ACV relieves arthritis. Will it cure it? No, but for those who suffer from the joint pain may find relief in knowing there won’t be any harmful reactions with prescribed medications. The acetic acid helps reduce the acidity already in our blood (which cause pain and inflammation). This may seem counterproductive since it’s adding acid to acid. Actually, as most health care providers agree, the acid in the ACV will eventually alkalize and ease the pain. You can soak your joints or choose to ingest ACV.
Detoxification:
You can be trendy and detoxify. You don’t need to be Gwyneth Paltrow to detoxify your body. ACV is a very cheap fix for detoxifying your body. Granted, working on its own, ACV isn’t going to do all the detoxification for you; you still need a green smoothie from time to time. You can do detoxify from either soaking in a bath with some ACV and Epson salt or ingesting it. The reason for this is because as it travels through your body, it kills bad bacteria. Killing off intrusions from bacteria or even too much mucus allows your body to function at full optimization. For additional ways to detoxify, mix a bit of ACV with a glass of a water before meals.
Boost your weight loss efforts:
ACV is safe to consume every day which is good news for those of us wanting to lose a few pounds. A 2005 study showed consumption of ACV either before or during a meal helps lower your appetite for the rest of the day.
In fact some people found that their caloric intake for the rest of the day naturally dropped by “200-275” calories. You can achieve this again by having it diluted in a glass of water, or use it as a dressing for your salad, or add a bit to your soup broths. It will also help relieve bloat!
Gain relief for diabetes:
Just like arthritis, ACP cannot cure diabetes but it can help relieve some of its pains. Added to a proper diabetic diet, ACV helps prevent a huge spike of blood sugar after a meal for diabetic patients and reduce insulin levels. Try adding a little cinnamon and hot lemon water to your ACV drink; cinnamon will also help reduce blood sugar and lemon is good for cleansing. Many geriatric medicine providers use this trick for older patients who are presenting as pre-diabetic.
So listen, if I’m being honest, I have a near full bottle of apple cider vinegar still sitting on my kitchen counter from about three months ago. I went about two days and two shots in when I called it quits.
However, I have effectively convinced myself to join back on the detoxification bandwagon…besides, Kombucha is way more expensive than a bottle of apple cider vinegar!
Protein is the mainstay of the ketogenic diet and you can eat a variety. From dairy products like cheese, creams and yogurt to meats such as chicken, pork, beef, goat, lamb, seafood and turkey.
While not an exact metric, you can get an idea of where you stand by measuring your stomach. Take a measuring tape, and measure your waist around the widest part of your hips. On average, your waistline should be below 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for women.
Increase the Protein in your Diet – It is difficult to build a proper weight loss plan without a high protein diet. Protein helps to make you feel full, decreasing your appetite over a longer period of time; similar to the effects of 
Few people recognize the relationship between sleep and a healthy weight. People who are not able to sleep well gain more weight, including visceral fat.
Love your heart like apple cider vinegar loves your heart. ACV has acetic acid in it which has been shown to reduce the risk of 
