14 DAY TRIAL // If you have already started a diet and workout plan to lose weight and they are not returning the results you expected, or if you’re just now preparing to do so, there are a few things that you must always bear in mind, health experts and nutritionists say. As AllWomenStalk sums it up, in order to lose weight fast and for good, thus avoiding the yo-yo effect, remembering a few simple rules is of vital importance.
The first one would be to drink plenty of water. Most women must already know by now that it’s recommended that they drink at least eight glasses of water per day in order to keep hydrated. Water, however, also does wonders for the skin, bringing a more youthful glow to it, while also keeping hunger at bay and, if drank during meals, avoiding overeating. If you don’t wish to forget about your daily drinks of water, always keep a bottle with you no matter where you go, be it at the office, the gym or when out walking with friends.
“Leave a little room for dessert. It’s completely unreasonable to take all the joy out of eating. If you’re craving a Butterfinger instead of broccoli, indulge in a baby-sized candy bar once in a while. It’s okay. Watch your portion size. Remember, a serving of chicken or beef shouldn’t be any larger than the size of a deck of cards, not as big as a dinner plate. At the beginning of a meal, cut out the right size portion, and eat only that. Take the rest home for lunch the next day.” the aforementioned women-oriented e-zine further says.
Keeping close tabs on our daily intake of sugary drinks is also the way to go if we’re set to drop a few dress sizes. Even those drinks that claim to be “light” are not good for our waistline, so it’s best to stick with water most of the time. When cravings kick in, those are the only times when we can have a sugary drink without concern for our weight, granted that doesn’t happen too often. Speaking of concern, another thing to remember is to always read labels carefully: this way, not only will we ensure we always know the number of calories ingested per each portion, but we’ll also make sure we avoid unhealthy food.
“Keep a food journal. Once you start recording everything you eat in a day, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to see where you can make improvements in your eating habits. Five straight days of grabbing a cheese Danish and a venti Mocha for breakfast, with Doritos and a Diet Coke for lunch? Really? Find alternatives. If you’re a fast-food junkie and just can’t bear to part with your beloved Taco Bell, find a healthier alternative to the Chalupa and Gordita. How about a fresco-style chicken or steak soft taco instead?” the same e-zine further says.