Top 10 Keys to Successful Weight Loss

[Guest guest]

This article comes to us via the (ya guessed it!) SoFlaVegans list

(recommended, btw, but get the Digest version cuz it's high volume).

 

I especially like No. 4 (well, all of them really, but No. 4 speaks to me

personally cuz it's what we advocate here so strongly when it comes to

eating.)

 

I'd like to hear responses to this article too - please?

 

Best, Pat

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Top 10 Keys To Successful Weight Loss

by Greg Landry, M.S.

 

When all the celebrating of the holiday season is over, 60% of

American adults will resolve to " lose weight and get in shape " for

the new year!

After years of helping people reach their weight loss goals, I've put

together 10 keys to help make your New Year's resolution for weight

loss and fitness a successful one!

 

1. Do some type of aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, swimming,

stationary cycling, aerobic dancing, etc.) on a DAILY basis,

preferably in the morning! Try to average 30 to 60 minutes per day.

However, if some days you can only do 15 minutes, that's still a lot

better than doing nothing. Do something daily!

 

Forget this twice-a-week stuff! Our bodies were designed to be active

on a daily basis! When we are, our metabolism is super-charged and it

also puts us in a " healthy " frame of mind. People who have exercised

in the morning make better food choices during the day.

 

2. Tone your muscles with weight training three days per week. Toned

muscles really boost your metabolism and cause you to burn more

calories 24 hours a day - yes, even while you're sleeping you'll be

burning more calories! Toned muscles look good too!

 

3. Always eat breakfast! Skipping breakfast sends a message to your

body that you're " starving " because you haven't had food in 18+

hours. As a protective mechanism, your metabolism slows down and your

body begins to burn your muscle as fuel.

 

4. Avoid fad diets! For healthy, permanent weight loss, develop an

active lifestyle and concentrate on eating carbohydrates such as

fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit the amount of fat you

consume.

 

5. Eat earlier in the day! Research has demonstrated that you can

lose weight simply by eating a substantial breakfast and lunch, and a

light dinner. Dinner should be eaten as early as possible, preferably

at least four hours before bedtime.

 

6. Never eat less than 1200 calories per day! Less than 1200 is

usually not enough to support your basal metabolism and thus will

slow your metabolism.

 

7. Look for situations to be active. Park as far from the store as

you can rather than looking for the closest parking spot. Use the

stairs rather than the elevator, a rake rather than a blower, etc.

Look for the " difficult " way to do things - the way the requires the

most effort!

 

8. Avoid alcohol! I call alcohol the " triple whammy " ! It depresses

your metabolism, stimulates your appetite and it's loaded with

calories!

 

9. Drink 60+ ounces of water a day. Your metabolism needs plenty

water to function properly, especially during weight loss. Water can

also help you to feel full. Carry a bottle of water with you and

drink frequently throughout the day.

 

10. Avoid the " 3 P's " .. weight loss pills, powders, and potions!

There are NO quick fixes! If you vigorously pursue fitness and

health, weight loss will happen!!