Start by taking note of what you eat
Over a typical three day period write down what you eat, paying attention to when you eat, portion size, ingredients and calories (calorie counters are available on the internet).
Reset your body
Detoxing brings your body back into balance so you feel healthier, burn energy more efficiently and reduce water retention-all which help you lose weight. A guided detox program is the best way to cleanse, but if you can’t join one either do a juice fast or try the following for at least 3 days, up to 2 weeks:
Squeeze a lemon into warm water and drink first thing in the morning-this stimulates the liver.
Don’t eat meat, dairy and refined foods-they produce large amounts of acid wastes in the body. Don’t eat salt, sugar or foods with added sugar. Use honey, agave or stevia if you need to sweeten something. Don’t eat fried foods or foods cooked with oil. If you want to use oil drizzle cold-pressed organic olive or flax seed oil over food just before serving.
Eat as many raw organic fruits and vegetables as your body can handle. If your digestion is weak, you may need to eat some steamed or baked vegetables.
Drink at least one raw fruit or vegetable juice per day.
Review your food journal
Identify foods which are processed, high calorie and low nutrition, and contain lots of salt and sugar. Replace them with more nutritious options. Focus on foods that have a high amount of nutrients per calorie such as leafy greens. Replace processed foods with high fiber foods like oatmeal, fruits or vegetables, which help you feel full longer. Replace high fat foods with low fat options. Note times that you eat unhealthy foods, and replace them with wholesome snacks. If you crave something sweet, choose fruit instead; salty and crispy-try snacking on nori or celery sticks.
Keep hydrated
Water helps us feel full and flushes out toxins– two key factors for weight loss. But most of us don’t drink enough. During the program drink a minimum of 3 liters of water per day and avoid dehydrating alcohol, coffee and soft drinks.
Work up a sweat
Aerobic exercise is the best way to burn fat, and intense intervals burn fat up to 3 times faster. Try walking, swimming, rebounding, or an aerobics class for 30-45 minutes, 3 non-consecutive days a week. Warm up and cool down 5 minutes each, and alternate 60 second bursts with 60 seconds of lower intensity in the middle of your workout. The other 4 days do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise.
Tone and define
Although it weighs more than fat, muscle uses energy. So the more you have, the more calories you burn – even at rest. 30 minutes of yoga 3 days a week is an ideal way to build muscle and tone without bulking up. An added bonus-it improves your posture which makes you look slimmer!
Triumph over cellulite
The unsightly texture that can appear on legs, hips and stomach is due to fat, water retention, reduced circulation, fibrous tissue and weakened cell membranes. The recommendations above will improve cellulite, as will eating plenty of healing nutrients. Healthy fats found in nuts and seeds heal cell membranes. Vitamin C, zinc and silica found in fruits, vegetables, pumpkin seeds and oats improve skin’s elasticity.
Get the right attitude
The confident people on the beach aren’t always the fittest. How people see you is influenced by how you feel about yourself. Taking care of your body makes you appreciate it more and feel like you look better, which is half the battle.
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