Eat More, Weigh Less

Many of us gain weight this time of year due to the parties and celebrations we participate in, all featuring rich and tempting foods. How can you lose that weight? Believe it or not, you have to eat more food more often to effectively lose weight.


Eating five small meals every three hours throughout the day keeps your metabolism moving and helps your body maintain a stable insulin level. This consistency prevents the body from releasing excess insulin and storing fat. Your body, instead, uses the energy right away, helping you to lose weight.


Since eating actually increases your metabolism, eating regularly every few hours will keep your metabolism at its most efficient. Every time you eat, your body expends energy to digest, absorb and store food. Therefore, the more you eat, the more your metabolism revs up.


When you eat your meals, you must make sure you are eating the right combination of foods. Use the guidelines listed below:


+DRINK WATER - In addition to eating more often throughout the day, make sure you drink lots of water, at least 8 glasses a day. Sip slowly throughout the day. Water speeds up metabolism and flushes toxins out of your body.


+EAT FIBER ?High-fiber foods absorb substances containing sugars, fats, carbohydrates, and the calories associated with them, speeding up the movement of food through the body; this also speeds up weight loss. High-fiber foods include whole fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grain breads, cereals, wheat germ, barley and brown rice. Always check food labels for fiber content.


+EAT PROTEIN ?A large percentage of calories from protein are burned off in the digestion process (this is called the thermic effect food). Of all the nutrients our body ingests, protein has the highest thermic effect. Eat lean meats, poultry and fish.


+EAT HEALTHY FATS - Monounsaturated fats do not raise blood cholesterol levels and are an excellent source of antioxidants. Monounsaturated fats are, in fact, required for the body in order to function effectively. Replace butter and other fat with extra virgin olive oil in cooking and baking. Season your olive oil with garlic and/or herbs and spices.


+EXERCISE 朤he easiest exercise that will benefit anyone regardless of their fitness level, that can be done inside or outside, is walking. A brisk walk can burn as many calories as jogging, but does not have the risk for injury that jogging does. As an aerobic exercise, walking revs up the metabolism and keeps it going even after you have stopped. The only equipment needed is a good pair of shoes.


By following the guidelines listed above, your body will function more efficiently, you will lose weight, and you will be healthier. It is not difficult to make the changes necessary to transform your body into an efficient fat-burning machine. You will have better health, longer life, and more energy.
 
 

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