Weight Loss
What’s the key to weight loss? Education.
You’ve heard it before: The best way to lose weight is diet and exercise. And that’s not wrong—you should watch what you eat and try to fit in some exercise every day—but what really makes or breaks a weight loss program is education.
Foods can either be the most powerful form of medicine or the slowest of all poisons, but without knowing which foods fall under each category, you might think you are eating “healthy” and really be harming your body.
Foods to make a part of your daily diet.
If a food comes from a plant, and isn’t made in a plant, it’s the right food for you. Basically—fruits and veggies?—eat them up! And be sure to buy organic produce whenever possible as pesticides are harmful to a healthy body. (If you’re on a budget, check out the “Dirty Dozen” for which fruits and vegetables are at a greater risk of pesticides and the “Clean Fifteen” for the ones you can get away with buying non-organic.)
Lemons are a great fruit to make a part of your daily routine. They are full of vitamins and minerals, help boost your immune system, and even lower blood sugar. Just add a little fresh lemon juice to a glass of water for an easy way to incorporate it into your diet.
They might not come from plants, but meats and dairy products are still an essential part of any diet. Animal products should be GMO, hormone, and antibiotic free, and animals should be able to roam freely, consuming their natural diet.
Foods you can skip…
Just as foods can be nutritious, they can also be harmful. And the biggest offender is sugar, which is in more foods than you would think. Be sure to always check the label to see if sugar is an ingredient, and if so, how much is included.
Here is a list of the types of foods you should avoid or eat in small amounts:
- Sugar and sugar alcohol
- Carbohydrates (which contain sugar)
- Saturated and trans fats
- Corn-fed beef (it’s high in fat and inflammatory)
- Processed foods (they contain hazardous products)
Yes, many of the foods our country consumes on the regular fall under the categories above. But if you stick to clean meats, fruits, and vegetables, you’ll start seeing a change in how you look and, more importantly, how you feel.
Exercising shouldn’t be scary.
If you exercise for 30 minutes a day, you’ll be helping your body tremendously. Really, that’s all it takes!
And it doesn’t have to be weight lifting at the local gym. Take a walk in your neighborhood, go to a yoga or pilates class, or even swim a few laps at the local pool during the summer. The choice is yours!
Whatever you do, do it for half an hour every day, and change things up every so often. Variety is key for your entire body to see results.
And if you miss a day, just jump right back in the next one! Soon, exercise will be a part of your routine, and you’ll look forward to your daily 30 minutes of activity.
Begin your weight loss journey today.
Looking for guidance on a healthy diet and exercise plan? Contact us today to find out how you can look and feel like your best you as soon as possible!