Losing a few pounds doesn’t have to be a chore or expensive, either. As long as you can read the labels on the foods you purchase, you can be mindful of your intake of things such as fat, carbohydrates, sugars, etc. If you’re disciplined enough, it doesn’t have to cost you any more than you would normally spend at the grocery store. Here are ten practical things to keep in mind if shedding a few pounds is a priority:
1. Avoid processed foods like the plague. Fast food is a killer — literally. So are things like cakes, ice creams, sodas, and candies. These foods often contain hidden fat and sugar.
2. Get off the sofa. The more idle you are, the more apt you are to convert those empty calories to fat. Even if your health prohibits anything too strenuous, a leisurely walk around the block will help. I’d ask my doctor first, though; especially if you have any concerns.
3. Know your fat-to-carb ratio. It’s not necessarily just fats or just carbs that lead to weight gain. It’s a combination of both. Obviously, if the intake of both is high, you’ll gain weight. Figure out what’s best for you. I’m not saying to eliminate both completely, as that’s not good either, but begin to slowly scale back on one or the other until you start to see the results you want.
4. Lessen the fat. Start buying leaner meats such as chicken, ground turkey, pork, etc. Invest in a pair of kitchen scissors. I use mine all the time. Before I cook chicken, for example, I remove all the visible fat. It really does make it much leaner. And the less you rely on fried foods, the better.
5. Cut out the sugar. Again, read the labels, and if you have to add it to your food, do so sparingly.
6. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Apart from the other obvious risks, most alcohols are sugar-heavy.
7. Eat less, but more. Huh? Eat 3 or 4 meals a day, but less at each meal so you feel satisfied. Make sure each meal contains the same amount of fat and carbs. This will also assure you maintain your blood sugar level.
8. Occupy your time. Get yourself a hobby. If you have something that will divert your attention, you’ll have less time to think about food.
9. Eat more fruits and vegetables. The more you eat, the less likely you’ll be to want processed foods. Okay, you’ll probably still WANT them, but you’ll be less likely to eat them. The more natural the food, the greater the fat-burning quality.
10. Be disciplined enough to push yourself away from the table. If you begin to eat a lower-fat diet, you’ll find that you’ll be less satisfied because you’re not ingesting as many of the things that made you full before. If you have to snack periodically, choose foods that are lower in fat and/or carbs.
It may be difficult to make the adjustment at first. But if you stick with it, you’ll see results. Just don’t do anything drastic at first. Slowly begin to tweak your diet and see what works best for you.
