More Diet and Weight Loss Tips

It can often be hard to maintain motivation when on a Diet. Here are some Diet and Weight Loss tips to ensure that you keep on the right track!

1. It’s been said time and time again but always eat breakfast. Your metabolism has been slow all night and this will give it a boost. Even if you don’t have time in the mornings you can take a smoothie (preferably containing a protein source) and a banana with you. These foods will provide a slow release of energy throughout the morning.

2. Use a smaller plate than usual! Even if you fill this plate you are still eating less than you normally would yet your mind is fooled into thinking that you are eating a massive amount of food!

3. Increase the serving size of vegetables and salad on your plate. These foods are often treated as an accompaniment to the main meal when in fact vegetables and salad should form the main part of the meal, the next being the protein, and lastly starchy carbohydrates. Why? Vegetables and Salad are complex carbohydrate sources which are very low in calories. They also fill you up, particularly fibrous vegetables such as broccoli.

4. Always, but always drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will keep your body hydrated and will also make you feel fuller for longer.

5. As far as possible eliminate processed foods from your diet. They contain hidden sugars and high quantities of salt. Salt increases fluid retention which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

6. Snack on fruit and vegetables. A mixture of fresh and dried fruit, and also raw vegetables such as carrots and “Mange Tout” (young peas) are ideal for snacking since they are low in calories. Foods that are low in calories will help you lose weight.

7. Elevate your Basal Metabolic rate. Besides reducing your dietary calories, there are two more ways that you can lose fat. Firstly you can exercise more. Secondly you can concentrate on exercises that help you build muscle. Adding muscle to your body increases your metabolic rate which will in turn help you lose weight.

8. Maintain your metabolism by eating smaller amounts throughout the day. When you consume a meal your metabolic rate increases to aid digestion of the meal. As the digestion process becomes complete your metabolic rate slows down. You can keep your metabolic rate elevated by eating smaller meals throughout the day. However, this is not an excuse to eat ALL day!

9. Don’t eat at least one hour before going to bed. Your organs slow down while you sleep as they need rest too! It’s best to have all your food digested before you go to bed and not be sitting in your stomach all night.

10. Don’t weigh yourself every day. Your weight can fluctuate daily because of reasons other than losing or gaining fat (such as different levels of fluid in your body). This can be a killer to your motivation and it is the long tern trend that counts.