Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

So youre looking for quick and easy weight loss tips to jump-start your diet? The sort of tips that actually work? Well if dropping a few more pounds is your goal and you want results quickly, youre not alone! On average, 40% of women and 25% of men in the United States are trying to find a way to drop unwanted weight at any given time!The purpose of this site is to give you the knowledge, understanding and support that youll need to achieve all your wellness and weight loss goals. Its really that simple! Youll not only learn about the science behind diets, how and why they work, but youll also find endless tips and techniques to lose weight!

So what can the site help YOU with? Specifically, youll learn about the most popular diets to hit the market and get an opportunity to decide if itll suit you. Well also discuss the health benefits of dropping that excess weight.

Youll also get a complete range of proven and effective diet plans to blast fat absolutely FREE! So lets learn what it means to diet properly, eat healthy and watch your whole body begin to transform before your eyes. It may not be easy, but you can do it with easy weight loss tips.

Now you know what were about, lets get started on your personal weight loss journey. Dont forget, were here to offer support and advice as your one stop dieting resource site. To get started, take a look at our navigation bar on the left of the site - itll help guide you through and find all the information you need for losing weight quickly, safely and effectively. The site information, articles and diet plans are updated regularly, so were always ready to point you in the right direction!

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Easy Weight Loss Tips to Lose Weight Quickly and Effectively

Downloadthe NHS weight loss guide our free12-weekdiet and exercise plan.

The plan, which hasbeen downloaded more than4 million times,is designed tohelp you lose weight safely andkeep it off.

The plan is designed to help you lose weight at a safe rate of 0.5kg to 1kg (1lb to 2lb) each week by sticking to a daily calorie allowance.

For most men, thismeans sticking to acalorie limit of no more than 1,900kcal a day, and 1,400kcal for most women.

If you find it hard sticking to the calorie limit, use our BMI calculator to getyour ownpersonal weight losscalorie allowance.

If you go over your limit one day, don't worry: it simply means you'll have to reduce your calorie intake on the following days.

For example, if you're a woman and you have 1,700kcal on Tuesday, that's 300kcal more than your daily calorie allowance of 1,400kcal.

To stay on track, you'd need to cut out an extra 300kcal from your remaining calorie intake over the rest of the week.

The calorie allowance is based on NICEguidance, which states that to lose weight, the average person should reduce their daily calorie intake by 600kcal.

The guide is delivered through 12 weekly information packs full of diet, healthy eating and physical activity advice, including weekly challenges.

Each informationguidecontains a food and activity chart (view sample PDF, 545kb) to help you record your calories, exercise and weight loss so you can see how well you're doing at a glance.

Printthe chart outand stick it somewhereyou can see it, such as the fridge or a kitchen cupboard, and update it at the end of each day.

In addition to a healthier diet, regular physical activity is an important component of your weight loss journey.

Not only will it help you burn extra calories, but it will also keep you motivatedand improve your general health and wellbeing.

As you work through the weeks, you'llget lots ofideas and structured programmes to help you get active, fromeasy ways togradually build activity into your day,tothe popular Couch to 5K,5K+and Strength and Flexpodcasts.

The links below provide the tools and knowledge you'll need from day one on the plan. Before you download Week 1, it's worth taking a look so you can:

This guide is intended for use by healthy adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 and over. Find out if you need to lose weight using the BMI healthy weight calculator.

It is not suitable for children and young people or pregnant women. If you have a medical condition, you should consult your GP before starting.

It's a good idea to seek the advice of a health professional before starting on any weight loss programme.

The NHS Choices weight lossguide has been developed under the supervision and advice of specialist dietitians from the British Dietetic Association, which represents registered dietitians in the UK. Thanks to dietitians at DOM UK (Dietitians in Obesity Management), a specialist group of the British Dietetic Association.

Page last reviewed: 05/12/2016Next review due: 05/12/2019

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Start the NHS weight loss plan - NHS

Finding a Healthy Weight

Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian, who can compare your weight with healthy norms to help you set realistic goals. If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.

Weight management is about long-term success. People who lose weight quickly by crash dieting or other extreme measures usually gain back all (and often more) of the pounds they lost because they haven't changed their habits in a healthy way that they can stick with.

The best weight-management strategies are those that you can maintain for a lifetime. That's a long time, so we'll try to keep these suggestions as easy as possible!

Make it a family affair. Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support. The goal is to make diet or lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family. Teens who have the support of their families tend to have better results.

Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many calories are in the sodas, juices, and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a can of soda or one sports drinkcan save you 150 calories or more each day. Drink water or other sugar-free drinks to quench your thirst and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Choosing nonfat or low-fat milk is also a good idea.

Start small. Small changes are a lot easier to stick with than drastic ones. For example, give up regular soda or reduce the size of the portions you eat. When you have that down, you can make other changes, like introducing healthier foods and exercise into your life.

Stop eating when you're full. Pay attention as you eat and stop when you're comfortably full. Eating more slowly can help because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that you are full. Sometimes taking a break before going for seconds can keep you from eating another serving.

Try not to eat when you feel upset or bored find something else to do instead (a walk around the block or a trip to the gym are good alternatives). Many people find it's helpful to keep a diary of what they eat and when and what they are feeling. When you have to write it down, you might think twice before eating cookies. Reviewing the diary later can also help them identify the emotions they have when they overeat.

Schedule regular meals and snacks. You can better manage your hunger when you have a predictable meal schedule. Skipping meals may lead to overeating at the next meal. Adding 1 or 2 healthy snacks to your three squares can help curb hunger.

5 a day keep the pounds away. Ditch the junk food and dig out the fruits and veggies! Five servings of fruits and veggies aren't just a good idea to help you lose weight they'll help you feel full and keep your heart and the rest of your body healthy. Other suggestions for eating well:

Avoid fad diets. It's never a good idea to trade meals for shakes or to give up a food group in the hope that you'll lose weight we all need a variety of foods to get the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Avoid diet pills (even the over-the-counter or herbal variety). They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term.

Don't banish certain foods. Don't tell yourself you'll never again eat your absolutely favorite peanut butter chocolate ice cream. Making all treats forbidden is sure to make you want them even more. The key to long-term success is making healthy choices most of the time. If you want a piece of cake at a party, go for it! But munch on the carrots rather than the chips to balance it out.

Get moving. You may find that you don't need to cut calories as much as you need to get off your behind. Don't get stuck thinking you have to play a team sport or take an aerobics class to get exercise. Try a variety of activities from hiking to cycling to dancing until you find ones you like.

Not a jock? Find other ways to fit activity into your day: walk to school, jog up and down the stairs a couple of times before your morning shower, turn off the tube and help your parents in the garden, or take a stroll past your crush's house anything that gets you moving. Your goal should be to work up to 60 minutes of exercise every day. But everyone has to begin somewhere. It's fine to start out by simply taking a few turns around the block after schooland building up your levels of fitness gradually.

Build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So adding strength training to your exercise routine can help you reach your weight loss goals as well as give you a toned bod. And weights are not the only way to go: Try resistance bands, pilates, or push-ups to get strong. A good, well-balanced fitness routine includes aerobic workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Forgive yourself. So you were going to have one cracker with spray cheese on it and the next thing you know the can's pumping air and the box is empty? Drink some water, brush your teeth, and move on. Everyone who's ever tried to lose weight has found it challenging. When you slip up, the best idea is to get right back on track and don't look back.

Read the original:
How Can I Lose Weight Safely? - kidshealth.org

Photo: Instagram / @alyssa_sparacino

I'm not usually a fan of prescribed "diets"I live by more of the anti-diet mantra. Call me jaded, but the word "diet"has a bit of a negative connotation these days, with "fad" and "restrictive" usually preceding it. So, when I had the chance to giveDr. Axe's new Keto360 program a two-week test run,I did some serious digging on the ketogenic diet and whether it's healthy.

Here's what I learned about the keto diet: You essentially swap a high-carb diet, which most Americans tend to eat, for a diet that's very high in fat (the healthy kinds), moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates. The idea is that you change the source from which your body gets its energy (and burns calories) from glucose (from carbohydrates) to ketones (from fat). This shift doesn't happen after one bulletproof coffee, though. It usually takes a few days of eating this way for your body to reach ketosiswhere it's looking to fat as its first source of fuel. Once there, though, your body "will be burning fat all the time," says Dr. Axe. "It doesn't matter if you're working out or sleeping, or what you're doing, your body continues to burn fat in ketosis."

Armed with the 411 on how the keto diet works, I felt encouraged and relieved. The concept is rooted in nutrition- and weight-loss science. And from my initial conversations with Dr. Axe, I liked knowing that ketogenic diet results are always meant to be time-boundeating this way is not a lifestyle and that makes sense. You may have heard that the keto diet was ranked last in the U.S.News &World Report's 2018 list of the best and the worst diets. While I embarked on this journey before that news came out, I would havegiven the keto diet a try regardless. Part of the criteria for that ranked list was whether a diet was sustainable and easy to followthe keto diet is neither, but it's not designed to be. "I don't recommend people follow strict ketogenic diets for their life," says Dr. Axe. "I recommend 30- to 90-day periods, and after that moving into more of a 'cycling' phase, where you can cycle in and out of keto." Dr. Axe admits that following a keto diet will be difficult for most people, since many Americans have diets high in sugar, salt, and carbs. Buthe says that the potential benefitsboosting brain health, supporting muscles and overall improved performance at the gym, at the office, and in lifeare worth putting in the hard work. (Just Look at the Keto Diet Results Jen Widerstrom Saw After 17 Days.)

All of that said, I was ready to put the keto diet to the testand in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, no less. I relished the idea of proving that eating fat doesn't make you fata diet myth that I'd like to see die a faster death.

All new habits need a plan. Luckily, I had the Keto360 Blueprint (which mapped out how this was all going to go down), Dr. Axe at my disposal for ALL the questions, a Keto360-approved food list, and a husband who agreed to jump on the two-week keto bandwagon with me. (Research shows that having a buddy system will increase your rate of success in fitness, a diet, and even sticking to your New Year's resolutions.) Still, sitting down to figure outmy first week of keto diet mealsand snacks was daunting. (Side note: Iknew that if I was going to succeed at this, I'd have to be able to buy lunch. Luckily, Dr. Axe is totally on board, saying that most caf salad bars will have what I need to create a keto meala big spinach salad with salmon and avocado, for example.)

Keto mealsseemed so heavy and rich to me, and it just wasn't how I was used to eating. Plus, I consider myself a flexitarian, so the thought of eating more meatand more often than I typically wouldgave me pause. Dr. Axe assured me that even vegetarianscould pull off a keto diet if they planned well enough. (Vegans can, too.)That said, he's a proponent of animal products and red meat specifically, because of the iron it provides for women (who are more susceptible to deficiency) and because it can bolster energy when carbs are lacking. (TheseAre the Other Things Vegetarians Need to Be Aware of Before Going Keto.)

Still, I enjoy cooking and I plan my meals on the regular anyway. With a keto food list in hand and advice from Dr. Axe in my mind, I filled my grocery cart with family-size versions of what I regularly buy (apples, berries, nut butter, kale), and a lot more meat than I ever have in my cart at one time (ground lamb, chicken, REAL bacon). What was missing? Some of my usual high-carb items, like whole-grain English muffins, orange juice, butternut squash, and tortilla chips.

While I was feeling pretty confident about my ability to cut back on obvious carbs, I felt less sure about doubling up on my fat. This is one aspect of the ketogenic diet that I think a lot of people misunderstand. Keto is not just a low-carb diet, it's a HIGH-fat diet, too.

I can tackle coconut oil and avocado just fine. But there was one thing about the next two weeks that was looming over me: the intermittent fasting (IF) Dr. Axe built into his program. (Not all keto diets include this.) On Keto360 you can choose from three different eating windows, and I went for the longest: noon to 8 p.m., which meant I wouldn't be eating solid food until midday. I have an active fitness schedule, which needs fuel (and recovery) on a regular basis, so I was concerned I'd really miss my morning yogurt with berries and be left feeling hangry by 10a.m. (Not to mention, some food pros feel the potential benefits of intermittent fasting might not be worth the risks.) Dr. Axe assured me that not only could I handle the IF, but that temporarily starving the body this way will allow it to heal. "When you're fasting for a period of time, you're essentially letting the systems of your body completely rest and recover." And he's right. This is exactly why sleep is the most important thing for weight loss and health, why there are such things as beauty night creams, and why rest days are crucial to meeting any fitness goal. The breaking down of food, the rapid turnover of cells, and the repairing of muscle tears all happen during rest.

Plus, it's not like I couldn't feed my body anything until noon. Low-carb keto drinks such as tea, water, and coffee were all options, and Dr. Axe suggested adding protein (such as his bone broth or collagen protein powders) to my liquids to help fend off hunger. So, throughout my twoweeks, I experimented with Dr. Axe's bone broth protein and collagen protein, as well as unsweetened nondairy milks such as almond and oat milk. I'll cut to the chase on this one: While expert opinion is mixed on the bioavailability of collagen powder and its potential health benefits, through trial and error, I landed on coffee with oat milk and collagen peptides as my go-to morning brew. I also took some of Dr. Axe's Keto Fire supplements in the morning. They contain exogenous ketones, which is a fancy way of saying bonus ketones my body doesn't produce on its own.

With meals planned, research done, and supplements on hand, I was ready and excited for the challenge. Here's a snippet of my two-week experienceand the keto diet results that came with it:

Day 1: It's 8:15a.m. and my stomach is growling. It knows it's time for its breakfast, and I'm depriving it. I blended my protein coffee and ran out the door. My first thought is that the vanilla flavor is a nice complement to black coffee. But toward the end of the thermos, I realize that no matter how you dice it, vanilla bone broth protein coffee is not the same as a vanilla blonde roast with skim milk.

Day 2: There's a bagel shop less than a block from my office. I pass it every single day and never really think anything of it. Well, not today! The smell of the freshly baked everything bagelsand was that veggie cream cheeseI smelled?was wafting out the door as I walked by extra quickly. (Though I found out later that thereisa way to have bread and still stay in ketosis.)

Day 3: I'm tired AF. Like the kind of tired when you're so exhausted you have to use your left arm to lift your right arm. Somehow, I pried myself out of bed to work out only to realize cardio has never been more hardio, so some chill strength training was going to have to do. (I Now Know These 8 Things About Exercising While On the Keto Diet.) Nonetheless, feelings of lethargy were to be expected, says Dr. Axe, who says days 2 and 3 were also the hardest for him the first time he tried keto. "Every body is different," he assures me. "Some people feel better by day 5, others take twoweeks."

Day 4: Grabbing lunch out has been successful thus far. Today was some tilapia, zucchini, and yellow squash, and a kale and tofu side salad. I tossed onhalf an avocado for good fatty measure. Oh, and I notice that I've lost a pound already, which is definitely just water weightcarbs hold water so limiting them is a surefire way to release some fluid in your bodybut nonetheless. Weight loss wasn't my objective, but I doubt I'malone in thinking, "I'll take it!"

Day 5: As fate would have it, 3 p.m. rolls around and we get a message that there are cookies in the conference room. I have been snacking on keto-approved foods like Granny Smith apples (the tart green apple has way less sugar than, say, a red Gala), and full-fat cottage cheese with blueberries (where have you been all my life, snack?) with no real trouble with cravings. But just knowing there are cookies that I can't eat makes me feel a little cheated. (Though These Low-Carb Keto Desserts Help With That.)

Day 6: When I thought back to what I ate today, I realized that between my salad and my lamb burger, I ate an entire avocado. The Keto360 plan recommends no more than half an avocado a day, and most nutritionists would probably agree. While the creamy, green fruit is filled with a lot of healthy fats, which I need in excess to stay in ketosis, at 300 calories a pop, that can quickly add up. (One gram of fat equals 9 calories, opposed to 4 calories per gram for both protein and carbs.)

Photo: Instagram / @alyssa_sparacino

It's true that calories are not the only thing that matters in your diet, but if you're trying to lose weight (which is a major reason many people try the keto diet), being mindful of combining all those high-fat foods is important for success.

Day 7: Peak exhaustion set in back on days 3 and 4, but I rounded the corner and started to feel more like myself the last couple days. Now at the halfway mark, I feel likeI've gotten this keto meal-planning thing downeven if the food isn't everything I hoped and dreamed. (More on that below). PlusI'm able to effectively train the way I'm used to. Over the weekend I hit the barre, the bike, and the (kettle)bells, and it feels great. I have my energy back and then some. And I simultaneously feel lighter (down another pound) and stronger.

Day 8: I'm still struggling to find a morning beverage that I enjoy and that keeps me full, so I try flavorless collagen protein powder with my coffee plus a splash of macadamia nut milk. It still isn't the same as a French press with cream, but it's a win! On the solid-food front, I'm starting to get a little grossed out about all the meat I've eaten in the past week. It's more than I'd normally eat in three times as long. Lamb burgers, turkey lettuce-wrap tacos, chicken salads. My digestion is off (even though I take probiotics every morning), so Dr. Axe recommends his Keto Digest supplements at lunch. They contain fat-digesting enzymes to help break down the extra fat and protein that my body isn't used to consuming, and it helps.

Day 9: I caved. I was running out the door for a morning workout and I had a hefty spoonful of peanut butter this morning, but I was hangry, okay?! While I silently wonder if that's enough to send me out of ketosis, there's really no guilt (food should never make you feel guilty, IMO). I need fuel for my workoutperiod.

Day 10: I'm starting to get sick of the same foods that I know are safe bets. And the number of times I've Googled: "Is _____ keto?"is getting out of hand. I've realized that the only real gripe I have with the keto diet is that there are so many healthy, nutritious foods that you can't eat while on it. (Maybe that's why experts say you should give up restrictive diets once and for all.) Carrots? Sweet potatoes? Brussels sprouts? What vitamins and nutrients am I missing out on by leaving these foods off my plate?

Day 11: The women at the salad shop accidentally put bread in my bag even though I said no bread. I threw it out on my way out the door. Today is a sad day. In other news, my energy is still kicking, I've been keeping up with my workouts, and I lost another pound. (I kind of hate weighing myself this often.)

Day 12: Dr. Axe assured me from the beginning that I'd be able to stick to my usual kind of workouts, and I'm happy to report that I can keep up with my favorite boxing and cycling classes without feeling dead halfway through.

Day 13: I have a love-hate relationship with this intermittent fasting thing. I think it's "working," and by that I mean I'm losing some weight. (Plus, improved body composition and definition can come with weight loss.) When I ask Dr. Axe if I should attribute my success to keto or IF, he says both. "I would say 80/20 it's more strongly in the favor of keto, but intermittent fasting does help as well," he says. The fat-burning capabilities of keto have more strength behind it when it comes to weight loss, specifically, he adds, but the intermittent fasting can be great for digestion and just feeling good.

Day 14: Today's the last day on the Keto360 plan, so naturally I wear my Body by Butter tank to my morning workout. The class incorporated heavy lifting circuit training and cardio bursts, and I felt like I could go for round two when it was over.

In the end, I'm pleased with my keto diet results both internally and externally. I lost 4 pounds in twoweeks, gained some energy and efficiency with my training, and more often than not felt that I could see better muscle tone instead of feeling bloated or weighed down. While the ketogenic diet may not be my go-toon a regular basis, Dr. Axe's final feedback was encouraging: He says because I've now had a successful keto trial run, if I wanted to cycle through some keto weeks (or even a month, next time), I'd be able to easily, potentially reaching ketosis even more quickly. While going full-force back on the carbs could derail me or anyone else who wants to keto-cycle, Dr. Axe says the odds are in my favor. Ninety percent of the time if someone's done it once, they will get into ketosis quicker and easier the next time, he says.

In fact, he says my already somewhat balanced diet is part of why I didn't experience the keto flu. (Some people report feeling sick to their stomach, irritable, and dizzy, among other flu-like symptoms, for the first few days or even weeks of keto.) People who transition from a very high-carb and high-protein dietto a high-fat dietare more susceptible to these rare but extreme symptoms, he says. This is why he says he builta Feast Phasewhen you're adding fats into your diet without really restricting your carbsinto his Keto360 plan as a way to ease your body into ketosis. "If someone is a fairly good eater, and they already do have a moderate amount of fat in their dietnot high fat but moderatetypically they'll transition pretty well,"he says.

Many people may look at myside-by-side before and after picsand think, "She was fit before and she looks the same now." (Isn't it strange how differently other people see you versus how you see yourself?) But eating and exercise should always be about more than the aesthetics. How do your diet and fitness habits make you feel? Food is fuel (and recovery) for the activities you like to do most. If eating well means you gain some perspective, then ending up with abetter butt isjust icing on the cake. BTW, I can have cake now.

Read the original:
The Keto Diet for Weight Loss Review | Shape Magazine

Inspiring Weight Loss Stories from Real Mums

Read inspiring stories from our Healthy Mummy community members whove followed our weight loss meal plans designed for busy mums like you. Here youll find healthy weight loss tips, real results, encouraging advice, and Healthy Mummy motivation!

Sometimes, thats all you need to start transforming your mindset, your body, and your life. Inspiration, motivation, and practical tips you can turn into action right away.

Ready to take the first step? Start your weight loss journey join our community and sign up for our next 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

Youre in the right place. Here are 5 of our favourite tips for planning healthy meals when youre a busy mum on a budget.

Your body, lifestyle, and situation are unique to you. So, adapt your diet to match! This is especially important for mums who are pregnant or if youre breastfeeding your baby. After all, you need to sustain two people with your diet! So, make sure you get a customisable meal plan suitable for pregnant women or a program that can adapt to your needs as a breastfeeding mum.

Ever come home from work, a shopping trip, or a day out with the kids and just grabbed takeaway because you had no time or energy to cook? Yep, weve all been there. Its not the best option for our health OR our bank accounts. Thats why the best way to stay on track with your weight loss meal plan is to plan ahead and meal prep so youve always got something in the fridge or freezer thats ready to go.

Its always easier to achieve a goal (like sticking to your healthy meal plan!) when youve got someone doing it with you. Surround yourself with a tribe of other mums who want to make positive, healthy changes in their lives too. Youll always have a safe place to share your wins (and struggles) and get a boost when you need it. Plus, youll be able to see whats possible for you and your family because others have done it too.

Do you ever get bored with cooking the same old meals? Its easy to get stuck in a rut with recipes and ingredients same old, same old. Sometimes, finding new recipes can inspire you to make healthier choices and cook meals that are good for you and that your whole family is happy to eat. Check out our weight loss recipes to find some new go-to meals and healthy ingredient options.

These days, there are plenty of tools you can use to make it easier than ever to follow a weight loss meal plan. The Healthy Mummy app, for example, helps you manage your recipes, meal plan, and shopping lists on-the-go (so you never end up at the shops without a list again). Embrace the tech to make planning meals quick and easy.

Feeling inspired? You can check out our free weight loss recipes, create your own weight loss meal plan, and start your journey right away.

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Weight Loss Healthy Meal Plans For Pregnant Women - The ...

What are OTC diet pills?

Only one over-the-counter diet pill is approved for weight loss: a reduced-dose formulation of orlistat known as Alli. It works by preventing absorption of about a third of ingested fat. While side effects from Alli are slightly lower than with its prescription cousin (because of the lower dose): they remain unpleasant: oily stools and discharge and potential bowel accidents if too much fat is eaten at one sitting. Alli's manufacturer recommends keeping total fat consumption to about 30% of calories a day and spreading it out over three meals. The net weight loss effect with Alli: about 50% greater than diet and exercise alone.

What do I need to know about OTC diet supplements?

Many other over the counter diet supplements are promoted as helping with weight loss, but few have actually been proven to work. Worse, some of the ingredients used in OTC diet supplements may be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration classifies herbal products as dietary supplements. This means that they are unregulated and can be marketed without the years of testing and regulatory review required for prescription (and nonprescription) drugs. Remember that supplements can have side effects, and you should check with your doctor first before taking any type of supplement, including OTC diet pills.

Here are some common ingredients seen in OTC diet supplements:

Green tea extract: cases of liver problems in people using concentrated green tea extracts have been reported.

Hydroxycitric acid: Derived from the fruit of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It generally appears to be safe, although one maker recalled its products after they were associated with liver damage. Other health problems reported included seizures, cardiovascular disorders, and serious muscle damage. These products contained many other ingredients, and it is unclear which ingredients or doses were associated with the liver problems.

Chromium: A mineral that people can get through diet, particularly meats, whole-grains, and some vegetables and fruits. It has been linked to side effects such as headaches and dizziness as well as more serious health problems at high doses.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): Found naturally in meat and dairy products, it may cause stomach upset.

Hoodia: Derived from an African plant native to the Kalahari Desert. Hoodia products typically contain other additional ingredients. Its safety is not yet known.

Chitosan: Made from the starch found in shellfish.

Pyruvate: Produced by the body as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrate and protein from food and found naturally in foods such as cheese, wine, and red apples.

St. John's wort: Used mainly as an antidepressant, this herb can interact with numerous other drugs.

Aloe: Sometimes marketed as an "internal" cleanser, aloe causes a strong cathartic effect in the intestines. That can lead to mineral depletion or worse if users have pre-existing intestinal issues, such as ulcerative colitis.

Cascara: An effective laxative but ineffective weight loss agent, cascara interacts with other drugs and can throw off the body's mineral balance.

Glucomannan: Derived from a plant root, glucomannan has been banned in several countries because when exposed to liquid it swells and can result in a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Guarana: A natural stimulant, guarana can increase blood pressure.

Yerba mate: Often used in a tea, yerba mate ingestion can result in high blood pressure and overstimulation of the central nervous system. It may also be linked to esophageal cancer.

Guar gum: It is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a thickening agent, but taken alone, guar gum can swell on contact with liquid, potentially leading to an obstruction.

Ephedra (ma huang): Consumers should not be able to find OTC supplements containing this ingredient, because the FDA banned its sale in dietary supplements in 2004. Use of ephedra can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

SOURCES: http://www.healthyweightforum.org (Healthy Weight Forum)Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2008 Feb; 18(2): 158-68 (website: http://www.ncbi.nih.nlm.gov)www.teachersdomain.org (Teachers Domain)www.fda.govwww.weightlossworld.orgwww.obesityaction.org (Obesity Action Council)www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov (Daily Med)www.webmd.comwww.aarp.org (American Association of Retired Persons)www.pdrhealth.comNIH, Office of Dietary Supplements websiteOver-the-Counter and Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/herbal-remedies

Read more:
Weight Loss Drugs Prescription and OTC by RxList.com

What's the best diet for healthy weight loss?

Pick up any diet book and it will claim to hold all the answers to successfully losing all the weight you wantand keeping it off. Some claim the key is to eat less and exercise more, others that low fat is the only way to go, while others prescribe cutting out carbs. So, what should you believe?

The truth is there is no one size fits all solution to permanent healthy weight loss. What works for one person may not work for you, since our bodies respond differently to different foods, depending on genetics and other health factors. To find the method of weight loss thats right for you will likely take time and require patience, commitment, and some experimentation with different foods and diets.

While some people respond well to counting calories or similar restrictive methods, others respond better to having more freedom in planning their weight-loss programs. Being free to simply avoid fried foods or cut back on refined carbs can set them up for success. So, dont get too discouraged if a diet that worked for somebody else doesnt work for you. And dont beat yourself up if a diet proves too restrictive for you to stick with. Ultimately, a diet is only right for you if its one you can stick with over time.

Some experts believe that successfully managing your weight comes down to a simple equation:If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight. Sounds easy, right? Then why is losing weight so hard?

A different way of viewing weight loss identifies the problem as not one of consuming too many calories, but rather the way the body accumulates fat after consuming carbohydratesin particular the role of the hormone insulin. When you eat a meal, carbohydrates from the food enter your bloodstream as glucose. In order to keep your blood sugar levels in check, your body always burns off this glucose before it burns off fat from a meal.

If you eat a carbohydrate-rich meal (lots of pasta, rice, bread, or French fries, for example), your body releases insulin to help with the influx of all this glucose into your blood. As well as regulating blood sugar levels, insulin does two things: It prevents your fat cells from releasing fat for the body to burn as fuel (because its priority is to burn off the glucose) and it creates more fat cells for storing everything that your body cant burn off.The result is that you gain weight and your body now requires more fuel to burn, so you eat more. Since insulin only burns carbohydrates, you crave carbs and so begins a vicious cycle of consuming carbs and gaining weight. To lose weight, the reasoning goes, you need to break this cycle by reducing carbs.

Most low-carb diets advocate replacing carbs with protein and fat, which could have some negative long-term effects on your health. If you do try a low-carb diet, you can reduce your risks and limit your intake of saturated and trans fats by choosing lean meats, fish and vegetarian sources of protein, low-fat dairy products, and eating plenty of leafy green and non-starchy vegetables.

It's a mainstay of many diets: if you dont want to get fat, dont eat fat. Walk down any grocery store aisle and youll be bombarded with reduced-fat snacks, dairy, and packaged meals. But while our low-fat options have exploded, so have obesity rates. So, why havent low-fat diets worked for more of us?

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating good fats and good carbs along with large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oiland only modest amounts of meat and cheese. The Mediterranean diet is more than just about food, though. Regular physical activity and sharing meals with others are also major components.

Whatever weight loss strategy you try, its important to stay motivated and avoid common dieting pitfalls.

We dont always eat simply to satisfy hunger. All too often, we turn to food when were stressed or anxious, which can wreck any diet and pack on the pounds. Do you eat when youre worried, bored, or lonely? Do you snack in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day? Recognizing your emotional eating triggers can make all the difference in your weight-loss efforts. If you eat when youre:

Stressed find healthier ways to calm yourself. Try yoga, meditation, or soaking in a hot bath.

Low on energy find other mid-afternoon pick-me-ups. Try walking around the block, listening to energizing music, or taking a short nap.

Lonely or bored reach out to others instead of reaching for the refrigerator. Call a friend who makes you laugh, take your dog for a walk, or go to the library, mall, or parkanywhere theres people.

Avoid distractions while eating. Try not to eat while working, watching TV, or driving. Its too easy to mindlessly overeat.

Pay attention. Eat slowly, savoring the smells and textures of your food. If your mind wanders, gently return your attention to your food and how it tastes.

Mix things up to focus on the experience of eating. Try using chopsticks rather than a fork, or use your utensils with your non-dominant hand.

Stop eating before you are full. It takes time for the signal to reach your brain that youve had enough. Dont feel obligated to always clean your plate.

Permanent weight loss requires making healthy changes to your lifestyle and food choices. To stay motivated:

Find a cheering section.Social support means a lot. Programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers use group support to impact weight loss and lifelong healthy eating. Seek out supportwhether in the form of family, friends, or a support groupto get the encouragement you need.

Slow and steady wins the race. Losing weight too fast can take a toll on your mind and body, making you feel sluggish, drained, and sick. Aim to lose one to two pounds a week so youre losing fat rather than water and muscle.

Set goals to keep you motivated.Short-term goals, like wanting to fit into a bikini for the summer, usually dont work as well as wanting to feel more confident or become healthier for your childrens sakes. When temptation strikes, focus on the benefits youll reap from being healthier.

Use tools to track your progress.Smartphone apps, fitness trackers, or simply keeping a journal can help you keep track of the food you eat, the calories you burn, and the weight you lose. Seeing the results in black and white can help you stay motivated.

Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep stimulates your appetite so you want more food than normal; at the same time, it stops you feeling satisfied, making you want to keep eating. Sleep deprivation can also affect your motivation, so aim for eight hours of quality sleep a night.

Whether or not youre specifically aiming to cut carbs, most of us consume unhealthy amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pizza dough, pasta, pastries, white flour, white rice, and sweetened breakfast cereals. Replacing refined carbs with their whole-grain counterparts and eliminating candy and desserts is only part of the solution, though. Sugar is hidden in foods as diverse as canned soups and vegetables, pasta sauce, margarine, and many reduced fat foods. Since your body gets all it needs from sugar naturally occurring in food, all this added sugar amounts to nothing but a lot of empty calories and unhealthy spikes in your blood glucose.

Calories obtained from fructose (found in sugary beverages such as soda and processed foods like doughnuts, muffins, and candy) are more likely to add to fat around your belly. Cutting back on sugary foods can mean a slimmer waistline as well as a lower risk of diabetes.

Even if youre cutting calories, that doesnt necessarily mean you have to eat less food. High-fiber foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are higher in volume and take longer to digest, making them fillingand great for weight-loss.

Its generally okay to eat as much fresh fruit and non-starchy vegetables as you wantyoull feel full before youve overdone it on the calories.

Eat vegetables raw or steamed, not fried or breaded, and dress them with herbs and spices or a little olive oil for flavor.

Add fruit to low sugar cerealblueberries, strawberries, sliced bananas. Youll still enjoy lots of sweetness, but with fewer calories, less sugar, and more fiber.

Bulk out sandwiches by adding healthy veggie choices like lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, and avocado.

Snack on carrots or celery with hummus instead of a high-calorie chips and dip.

Add more veggies to your favorite main courses to make your dish more substantial. Even pasta and stir-fries can be diet-friendly if you use less noodles and more vegetables.

Start your meal with salad or vegetable soup to help fill you up so you eat less of your entre.

Set yourself up for weight-loss success by taking charge of your food environment: when you eat, how much you eat, and what foods you make easily available.

Cook your own meals at home. This allows you to control both portion size and what goes in to the food. Restaurant and packaged foods generally contain a lot more sugar, unhealthy fat, and calories than food cooked at homeplus the portion sizes tend to be larger.

Serve yourself smaller portions. Use small plates, bowls, and cups to make your portions appear larger. Dont eat out of large bowls or directly from food containers, which makes it difficult to assess how much youve eaten.

Eat early. Studies suggest that consuming more of your daily calories at breakfast and fewer at dinner can help you drop more pounds. Eating a larger, healthy breakfast can jump start your metabolism, stop you feeling hungry during the day, and give you more time to burn off the calories.

Fast for 14 hours a day. Try to eat dinner earlier in the day and then fast until breakfast the next morning. Eating only when youre most active and giving your digestion a long break may aid weight loss.

Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. You can create your own small portion snacks in plastic bags or containers. Eating on a schedule will help you avoid eating when you arent truly hungry.

Drink more water. Thirst can often be confused with hunger, so by drinking water you can avoid extra calories.

Limit the amount of tempting foods you have at home. If you share a kitchen with non-dieters, store indulgent foods out of sight.

The degree to which exercise aids weight loss is open to debate, but the benefits go way beyond burning calories. Exercise can increase your metabolism and improve your outlookand its something you can benefit from right now. Go for a walk, stretch, move around and youll have more energy and motivation to tackle the other steps in your weight-loss program.

Lack time for a long workout? Three 10-minute spurts of exercise per day can be just as good as one 30-minute workout.

Remember: anything is better than nothing. Start off slowly with small amounts of physical activity each day. Then, as you start to lose weight and have more energy, youll find it easier to become more physically active.

Find exercise you enjoy. Try walking with a friend, dancing, hiking, cycling, playing Frisbee with a dog, enjoying a pickup game of basketball, or playing activity-based video games with your kids.

Few things are more discouraging to someone on a weight-loss plan than the oft-cited statistic that 95% of people who lose weight will regain it within a few years. The difficulty in sticking with a long-term weight-maintenance plan is one of the main reasons that weight-loss programs fail. To uncover clues to successful weight loss, researchers have been collecting information on people who have lost weight and successfully kept it off for many years. This project, known as the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), records what these people did to achieve their goals.

Below are six strategies gleaned from NWCR participants who have kept off at least 30 pounds for at least one year:

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How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off: Dieting Tips that Work ...

This 5-day sample meal plan for weight loss is all about eating more, not less.

You learn about lots of healthy, filling meals and snacks that can help you not only weigh less but also feel your very best.

This healthy meal plan for weight loss includes all kinds of satisfying, hunger-curbing foods like mustard-coated salmon, sweet potatoes, and hearty Italian-style soups.

By switching from a bowl of cold, dried cereal to one of hot whole-grain cereal and fruit, youd take in approximately 100 fewer calories each day. That one simple change to your daily diet could help you drop about 10 pounds in one year. Plus, hot cereal has more staying power. It tends to fill you up better and longer than dried cereal.

If desired, add a little nonfat milk or soymilk and a packet of sugar substitute (a good choice is Splenda).

1 steamed 6-inch corn tortilla with fresh or grilled vegetables (such as onions, green bell peppers, and tomatoes) and no-added-salt salsa.

Warm the tortilla between slightly moistened paper towels in the microwave for about 1 minute, then top with veggies and salsa; fold

For your salads, break out of the lettuce-and-tomato box. All kinds of veggies and fruit can go into your salad. Try diced sweet potatoes, yellow squash, red bell peppers, cucumbers, red cabbage, red onions, and more.

And always keep in mind that no oil, even so-called good ones, should be considered a weight-loss food. Coating your salad with oil can tally up as many calories as a scoop of premium ice cream.

Make your own. Its easy! From one 14-ounce can of no-salt-added cannelini beans, spoon out 2 tablespoons of beans. Puree the rest. In a medium nonstick pot, saut 5 cloves of chopped garlic until translucent. Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and 1 head of escarole, chopped, or a package of frozen chopped spinach. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Add pureed beans, red pepper flakes and black pepper, to taste, and cook 1 minute longer. Garnish with the beans you spooned out plus, if you desire, a little chopped red bell pepper. Refrigerate or freeze what you dont eat for easy soup prep for a future lunch or dinner.

Especially popular among our guests at the Pritikin Longevity Center are Greek-style yogurts such as Oikos and Fage. So rich and creamy tasting! If you need a little sweetness to cut the tart flavor, simply add diced banana, or stir in 1 packet of Splenda

A gigantic Farmers Market-style salad with a variety of fresh seasonal produce and fresh herbs, such as fresh baby arugula and radicchio, and red wine vinegar sassed up with a little horseradish. Enjoy visiting your local Farmers Market every week and asking the vendors, Whats new and tasty this week? What would make great ingredients for my salad?

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When dining out and ordering fish, request that your fish not be salted or basted in calorie-dense ingredients like olive oil and butter. Healthier cooking options include steaming, broiling, or grilling.

Contrary to popular belief, potatoes are a great food for helping you lose weight. Its what we put on top of our potatoes butter, cheese, and bacon bits that turn them into waistline-busting foods.

Egg white omelet stuffed with 1 cup of assorted grilled vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and broccoli, and a dollop of nonfat ricotta cheese.

In a nonstick skillet misted with a little cooking oil spray, stir fry until brown diced baked potatoes with sliced onions, sliced green bell pepper, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika.

Yes! Cocoa can be part of a healthy meal plan for weight loss! For cocoa: Mix nonfat milk or soymilk, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and 1 packet of sugar substitute, such as Splenda (if desired).

Like vegetables, fruits are fabulous weight-loss foods because theyre big foods, that is, foods that are bulked up by lots of fiber and water. With big foods, youll be eating a lot of food (which will satisfy your hunger) but not a lot of calories.

Heres a great example: For the same number of calories that are in a handful of peanuts (about two ounces), you can eat 2 pounds of strawberries (about five of those green boxes that strawberries come in.) Eating big foods like strawberries, salads, and other fruits and vegetables can prevent hunger from taking over and taking you places you dont want to go

Big salad of baby greens with Pritikin-Style Thousand Island Dressing, which has less than one-quarter the calories and sodium of regular Thousand Island Dressing. What a gift for your heart and waistline! To make dressing, combine thoroughly the following: cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt, cup fat-free sour cream, cup unsweetened, low-sodium ketchup (good brand is Westbrae), teaspoon oregano, and teaspoon granulated garlic.

Sandwich of fresh roasted turkey breast (3 to 4 ounces) with 2 slices of low-sodium, whole-grain bread with assorted veggies, like baby greens and sliced tomatoes. Smear the bread with 1 tablespoon of low-sodium stone-ground mustard.

Did you know that bread and rolls are the No. 1 source of salt in the American diet, accounting for more than twice as much sodium as salty junk food like potato chips? Thats why its so important to look for low-sodium varieties of bread (a good brand is Food for Life).

Keep stocked in your refrigerator or freezer a box of veggie burgers (look for low-sodium varieties). Veggie burgers are a much better choice for your waistline and heart than ground meat. Veggie patties have only about half the calories of regular red meat patties, and zero heart-hurting saturated fat. Plus, theyre so easy to cook just one or two minutes in the microwave. While toasting your whole-wheat bun, take from your pantry a jar of roasted red bell peppers and top your veggie patty with a couple of luscious slices. Smear your bun with a little low-sodium Dijon mustard.

1 or more cups (its hard to go overboard on fresh veggies!) of steamed fresh vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, and/or cauliflower, with lemon juice and sauted garlic.

Hot whole-grain cereal, such as oatmeal, cracked wheat, barley or polenta, made with 1 cup nonfat milk or soymilk and 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries.

There are many great choices of whole-grain hot cereals; just make sure you buy one with no added sugar or salt.

If desired, add a little nonfat milk or soymilk and 1 packet of sugar substitute (a good choice is Splenda).

Look for fat-free low-sodium varieties, or make your own.

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Did you know that four ears of corn has the same number of calories as one medium serving of French fries? (The corn tastes better, too.)

cup 1% no-salt-added cottage cheese with cup to 1 cup fresh diced fruit, or use pop-top canned fruits packed in juice or water, no sugar added.

A big salad of baby spinach and other fresh veggies, such as sliced carrots and tomatoes, topped with your favorite canned no-salt-added beans. Toss salad with about teaspoon of wasabi (to taste) and 3 to 4 tablespoons of rice vinegar.

Look for no-salt-added varieties of canned beans since rinsing the beans through a colander removes only 30% of the added sodium.

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Give your brown rice a nice savory spin by adding freshly minced garlic. At the last minute, add in fresh herbs like thyme and Italian parsley and just about any vegetable you have on hand, like chopped cucumbers, celery, onions, and tomatoes.

If you've enjoyed this Healthy Meal Plan for Weight Loss, you'll love the Weight Loss Spa Menu

Red Bean and Leftover Veggie Soup

While there are probably plenty of pre-made bean and veggie soup options that just need a few minutes to heat through on the stovetop, making your own soup is really easyand a great idea for your health. Homemade soups are much lower in sodium about 100 milligrams or less per 2-cup serving. By contrast, 2 cups of many canned soups contain a blood-pressure-busting 1,200 milligrams or more, a worrisome amount considering that health experts recommend consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium for the entire day. This is also a great way to use up all those leftover vegetables in your crisperpretty much anything works in this soup.

Directions:Put into a soup pot 1 can of no-salt-added red beans (drained), 4 cups low-sodium vegetable juice like Knudsens Very Veggie Low-Sodium Juice, 2 to 3 teaspoons oregano or Italian-style seasoning, and 2 cups of any veggies you already have sitting in the refrigerator bin, such as carrots, celery, and onions. Rough-chop the vegetables into bite-size pieces and bring to a boil, simmering until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. If desired, top with a tablespoon of fat-free sour cream.

Put together a sandwich of tuna (canned preferably low-sodium, light, and packed in water) with 1 tablespoon nonfat mayo or nonfat plain yogurt, chopped celery, and onions, topped with baby spinach or peppery arugula, on 100% whole-wheat bread (low-sodium)

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Enjoy the rich flavor of sweet potatoes? While home on Sundays, cook up a batch. Wrap each one in foil and bake for about an hour at 425 degrees F, or until their luscious, sweet juices start to ooze out into the foil. At work the following week, just pop one in the microwave for a quick warm-up. Theyre loaded with taste, so they dont need any extra toppings. If you want a little zest, swirl in a teaspoon or two of no-salt-added Dijon mustard or a quarter cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt.

A big salad with a variety of lettuces, plus tomatoes, cucumber, and any other veggies you have in the fridge, including varieties youve never thought of adding to salads but actually taste delicious, like sliced fennel.

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Ah, quinoa. This healthy, rich-tasting whole grain/seed has so many nutritional riches that it puts refined grains like white rice to shame. Tofu is the perfect sidekick because its both waistline-friendly (per bite, tofu tends to have about one-third the calories of meat and poultry) and heart-friendly (tofu has no artery-damaging saturated fat or cholesterol).

Directions: Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 1 tablespoon curry powder and 1 teaspoon turmeric. Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the water is absorbedabout 15 minutes. Stir in 1 cup shredded carrots and 1 cup cubed firm tofu. Makes about 4 one-cup servings. Refrigerate remaining servings for an easy, healthy snack or meal later in the week.

Blend together until smooth and creamy your favorite fresh berries, silken tofu, Splenda (if needed), and a little vanilla extract.

Think oatmeal is boring? You havent tried Chef Anthonys sweet/ tangy Oatmeal Supreme, always a favorite among guests at Pritikin. Its a great meal for losing weight, and starting your day.

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If desired, add a little nonfat milk or soymilk and 1 packet of sugar substitute (a good choice is Splenda).

Open up a big bag of baby carrots and dip them into your freshly made no-oil-added, no-salt-added hummus. Simply whip up in your food processor a can of no-salt-added chickpeas/garbanzo beans, fresh tomatoes, lemon juice, garlic, a jalapeno pepper (if you like your hummus hot and spicy), and fresh herbs like cilantro and dill. Add a little water, if necessary, until the desired consistency is achieved.

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Butter beans are as delicious as they sound: big, meaty and filling, with a mild flavor that works well with bright, assertive flavors like lemon and scallions.

1 can no-salt-added butter beans cup chopped scallions (also known as green onions)Juice from half a lemonRed chili pepper flakes, to taste2 to 3 cups chopped fresh Romaine lettuce and/or baby arugula

In a medium mixing bowl, combine butter beans, scallions, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Spoon over lettuce greens.

Sear, skin side up, a 4-ounce cut of salmon in a hot nonstick skillet and cook until well browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook till slightly translucent in center, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer salmon to serving dish. To skillet add teaspoon grated orange peel, 3 ounces orange juice, and cup white wine. Boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves. Spoon sauce over salmon.

Cooking up soba (the Japanese word for buckwheat) noodles instead of white-flour noodles is a great way to cut calories. A cup of soba has just 113 calories; a cup of white pasta, about 200. Plus, soba noodles are full of fiber, protein, and B vitamins.

Combine in large bowl:2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeds removed, and sliced tablespoon paprikaPinch cayenne pepperPinch black peppercorns, freshly ground cup fresh lemon juiceLet cucumber mixture sit for a few minutes while you cook 8 ounces of soba noodles according to package directions. After cooking and draining sobas, toss in bowl with cucumber mixture and gently blend.

Pour a 6-ounce bag of pre-washed baby spinach in a hot wok sizzling with a small amount of water or white wine, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and minced garlic. Stir spinach till wilted.

Smoothie made in blender with 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt, cup crushed ice, banana, and fresh or frozen berries.

Tags: meal plansweight loss

Eugenia Killoran has been the food and fitness journalist for the Pritikin Program since 1992. She has published more than 3,000 articles, lectures, and book chapters on a wide variety of healthy living and weight-loss topics.

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Healthy Meal Plan For Weight Loss | 5-Day Free Menu

You need a new approach for weight loss after 40. Instead of quick fixes that dont work, here are seven steps to take to develop healthy habits and combat weight gain.

Its no secret that losing weight after 40 can be difficult for some women. As you age, you begin to lose muscle mass, causing your metabolism to slow down. Add to the slow metabolism a dose of wildly fluctuating hormones and you have the perfect recipe for weight gain. Weight gain after 40 no longer translates into only a tight-fitting pair of pants. You are now at increased risks for a wide range of diseases, including depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

If you are trying the same tricks and tips you used in your 20s and 30s, you will find they no longer work. Cutting back on dessert and spending an extra hour in the gym would result in a five pound weight loss. It seemed effortless, but why dont those tricks work for you after forty? Your body doesnt respond the same way it did as in your 20s.

Here are seven steps required to successfully lose weight after age 40.

Why it works: As you age, you begin to lose muscle mass. Your metabolism, the rate you burn calories, is tied directly to muscle mass. A pound of muscle, at rest, burns about six calories per hour.

Compared to the measly two calories a pound that fat burns, you can see why retaining as much muscle mass as possible is vital in losing weight.

Furthermore, lifting weights has the extra benefit of helping women maintain bone density during menopause.One of the best ways to increase your muscle mass is to lift weights. Dont worry. Lifting weights will not give you a big, bulky look.

Instead, your muscles will tighten and you will achieve a slimmer appearance. Also, dont be afraid to lift heavier weights. You do not need to stick with the little pink dumbbells.

How to do it: Lift weights three to four times per week. Alternate the targeted muscle groups. For example, if you lift weights for your arms, shoulders, and upper body on Monday, dedicated Wednesdays weight lifting session to legs and lower body work.

Dont overlook the convenience of body weight exercises. Squats and lunges can be performed in your own living room without any special equipment. Push-ups and pull-ups are also good alternatives to weight rooms and gym apparatus.

Why it works: It should come as no surprise that processed foods are generally higher in calories, unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar than whole foods.

Eliminating processed foods can have one of the largest impacts on your weight. Skip the fad diets and simply eat whole foods.

Whole foods are foods that have not been overly processed or have added additives or artificial ingredients. For example, skip the breaded, frozen chicken nuggets and opt for a simple grilled chicken breast.

Typically, foods full of sugars and starches are often processed. Skip the sodas and sugary drinks and stick to water. You dont need to shy away from dairy.

In fact, current research is showing that higher levels of dairy intake help prevent weight gain in middle-aged women.

How to do it: Instead of thinking about cutting out foods, change your mindset so you are thinking about adding healthier foods into your diet.

You may find that your cravings for carbohydrates and sugary foods wane as you opt for healthier alternatives. When you do make changes to your diet, do so gradually and in small increments.

Remember, you are working on developing a lifelong habit of healthier food choices, not jumping on the next bandwagon diet.

Related:10 Foods You Should Avoid Like The Plague

Why it works: Portion sizes have greatly increased, and in some cases, it has doubled and even tripled! As portion sizes increase, so do waistlines.

However, as you age, you actually need fewer calories. As creatures of habit, you tend to eat the same foods in the same amount. An extra 100 calories per day can translate into a ten-pound weight gain over the course of the year.

How to do it: One of the easiest ways to limit your portion sizes at home is to use smaller dinner plates. Just like the growing portion sizes, dinner plates have grown.

Utilizing the smaller luncheon plate gives you a more accurate estimate of proper portion size.

When eating out, split your meal, order from the childrens menu, or even pack half of your entree to-go and save it for another meal.

Consider using one of the popular food tracking apps to keep a food diary. They make keeping track of calories easy and can provide more in-depth information such as your highest caloric foods, what time you tend to eat the most, and other useful data.

Slow down your eating. Take your time chewing your food. Sit around the table with family and friends and enjoy a leisurely meal.

This will give your stomach more time to let your brain know when it is full. Also, avoiding the TV during meal times will help you consume less food.

Why it works: Its a common misconception that you have to be engaged in a high impact activity to get aerobic benefits. As a matter of fact, walking is one of the best exercises for you.

Its low impact so it is easy on the joints and it engages the major muscle groups in your body. Too much sitting is bad for you and contributes to weight gain.

A good way to counteract all that sitting is by walking. Walking after your meals also aids in weight loss and helps control blood glucose levels. Furthermore, walking can help alleviate, or at least ease, body aches and pains.

In particular for middle-aged women, walking is associated with less weight gain and even mitigates the effects of aging.

How to do it: You already know how to walk, so this becomes a case of how to fit more walking into your already busy day.

Start with the obvious and easiest tips: park farther away, take the stairs, take the dog out for an extra walk.

Research is beginning to show that using an activity trackers combined with an online social network can increase activity and enhance weight loss.

Popular fitness tracking devices, like Fitbit, allow for competition among your friends to see who can take the most amount of steps per day.

Why it works: For a myriad of reasons, you are not getting all the nutrients you need out of your food. Perhaps your diet isnt as healthy as you would like.

Maybe nutrients were lost during the ripening and delivery process. For whatever reason, supplementing your diet with vitamins can be a boost to your weight loss.

Solid research is coming out that is very convincing of the need to supplement with a vitamin regime. Omega 3 fatty acids such as those found in fish oils are shown to have significant health benefits, including those associated with heart disease.

As women age, the need for calcium is actually increased to help prevent osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. This is also good news for women looking to lose weight.

Calcium supplements may also aid in weight loss. Additionally, Vitamin D3 is showing some promising results in studies concerning older women and weight loss.

How to do it: Vitamin supplements may include a general daily multi-vitamin, high quality Omega 3 Fatty Acid, and Vitamin D3 with Calcium. Other options to consider include live culture probiotics and green tea supplements.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid capsules are available in most supermarkets and health food stores, and there is a good selection of Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements on Amazon.

Why it works: You may not be woken up by crying babies any longer, but women over 40 may still not getting the sleep they need.

Sixty-one percent of menopausal women are afflicted with insomnia.Fluctuating hormones can interfere with sleep and even turn a morning person into a night owl.

These changes in the sleep patterns lead to fatigue and low energy levels. Low energy levels translate into decreased physical activity and cravings for high carbohydrate foods. Simply not getting enough sleep can cause weight gain and lower your overall quality of life.

How to do it: Create a comfortable environment for sleeping. Select soft lighting, eliminate TV and other electronic screens, and turn down the thermostat for a cool room.

Design a sleep schedule that works best for your lifestyle and stick to it. Going to bed and waking at the same time will help your body adjust to a natural sleep/wake cycle.

Eat more protein throughout your day. It may seem strange to list food among tips for getting more sleep, but studies show that increasing your protein intake make for a better nights sleep. Additionally, avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages before bed.

Why it works: Individuals who are stressed lose less weight than non-stressed people. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is released during times of stress.

It regulates many of the bodys responses to stress, including blood sugar levels and metabolic rates. Too much cortisol makes it difficult to lose any weight. It is imperative that any attempts at weight loss include a stress management program.

How to do it: One of the best ways to manage stress is through exercise, particularly yoga. Yoga has been known to release mood-elevating chemicals within the body, and it is effective in promoting weight loss. Other options include meditation or tai chi.

Volunteer. Spending your time helping a worthy cause combats cortisol. You will feel better about yourself and have a sense of accomplishment.

Spend time in nature. Our brains seem to work better in nature. If you cant get out in nature, research suggests that merely listening to the sounds of nature can reduce stress and cortisol.

1. Yoga. Yoga and Pilates are fantastic for women looking to lose weight, and the benefits do not stop there. Ithas been found to improve circulation, strengthen core muscles and increase flexibility. Yoga is also very calming and is an effective stress reliever.

2.Coenzyme Q10 supplements and omega-3 supplements can help you shed pounds in a healthy manner.. Not only can they increase weight loss, they also support healthy heart and brain function.

If you want to try Coenzyme Q10, then there is a good selection on Amazon with tons of customer reviews.

3. Take Your Time.One of the biggest obstacles to weight loss is portion size. Oftentimes a person will keep eating long after they are full simply because they ate too fast for their body to communicate that fact. To combat this, try chewing slower, drinking water while you eat and engaging in conversation throughout the meal.

4. Early Morning Cardio.When you first wake up in the morning, your body has essentially been reset and has a calorie deficit. To take full advantage of the morning hours, try going for a jog before eating breakfast. Research indicates that cardio on an empty stomach capitalizes on the bodys fat burning capabilities.

5. Avoid Exercise Ruts.Aging causes the metabolic rate to drop, which often leads to weight gain. Switching up your exercise routine can give your metabolism the boost it needs. Changes to your workout will also help you avoid a weight loss plateau.

6. Bedtime Snack. Recent studies suggest that drinking a protein shake before going to bed could kick start your metabolism. This could be especially helpful for individuals over 40, as age causes a decreased metabolic rate.

7. Preparation is Key.One of the best ways to set yourself up to be successful in your weight loss journey is to be prepared with healthy snacks. Protein bars, almonds and fruit are all excellent snack options and will help curb cravings.

8. Jump In.Swimming is one of the best exercises out there, and it is also low impact. Itis a great option for anyone who cannot partake in conventional exercise due to knee pain, back pain etc. Swimming is a heart healthy exercise and helps build endurance while burning calories.

9. Eat More Fish.Fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Fish is also an excellent source of protein. Women who do not get enough fish in their diet are encouraged to take a fish oil supplement.

10. Green Tea.Green tea is very popular for individuals trying to lose weight. Not only does it taste great, it also contains caffeine and antioxidants. Caffeine is a known fat-burning stimulant, and antioxidants such as EGCG increase metabolism.

11. Catch More Zs.Sleep is essential for weight loss. Lack of sleep can be detrimental to weight loss efforts, as sleep plays a vital role in appetite and hormone control. Those looking to lose weight should be mindful of how much sleep they need, and how much they get.

12. Eat Your Vegetables.Dont just eat your vegetables, try to eat them first. Vegetables are loaded with nutrients but contain very few calories. Filling up on vegetables will help you eat less high-calorie items on your plate.

13. Calcium.As you get older, it becomes more difficult for your bones to absorb calcium. A strong frame is essential for an active lifestyle. Low fat dairy products are ideal for those looking to slim down, as they have less calories but roughly the same amount of calcium.

14. Choose Your Calories.Be mindful of the calories you are consuming. Skip the bread basket when you are out to eat. Remember not to drink your calories. It doesnt matter how well you watch your diet if you are drinking tons of sugary drinks or alcohol.

Losing weight after forty isnt impossible, but it does take a more deliberate approach. Embrace the life experience and lessons you have learned to enhance your weight loss. Patience and persistence, both skills developed over a lifetime, turn these seven steps into healthy habits that will last your entire life.

So whats stopping you from losing weight ? Tell me your challenges in the comments.

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Weight Loss After 40: How to Successfully Lose Weight after ...

Whether youve decided to get in better shape as part of a New Years resolution, for summer bathing suit season or you just want to boost your normal routine, theres never a bad time to get fit and shed those last extra pounds. And odds are you want to lose weight fast.

But if youve ever tried losing weight, getting in shape or simply leading a healthier lifestyle, you know that its not as easy as just changing your diet and squeezing in more workouts. Thats why Ive rounded up my favorite 49 ways to help you get healthy andfit.

From exercising for short bursts of time to making weekly menus to even having a cheat meal, these 49 workout, diet and lifestyle tips to lose weight fast will help you achieve your health and fitness goals.* Just remember, this is not onlyabout losing weight, but living a better healthier, happier life!

1. Schedule workouts

Pencil workouts into your daily planner the same way you do dinner with friends or that important business meeting. This will help hold you accountable. Itll also force you to choose a specific time to get your sweat on, making it more likely youll stick to it.

2.Break up workouts throughout the day

Cant carve out a full 30 minutes or an hour of exercise time in one go? Opt for shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day instead. The latest science suggests that several short exercise bursts provide the samehealth and fitness benefits as a similar amount of exercise done in one longer workout and, in some cases, reap even more rewards. (1)

Try a quick cardio circuit in the morning, a brisk stroll during your lunch hour and an after-dinner strength session. Theres no need to do it all at once.

3. Dont let traveling derail your efforts

Being away from your normal routine doesnt mean your healthy efforts need fall to the wayside. Jog a few miles on the hotel gyms treadmill, scope out a local barre studio and pop in for a class, take a walking tour of the city, rent a bike and explore or even do a quick workout in your hotel room.

Try theseresistance bandexercises; they make for a quick workout, and a band takes up little space in your bag, making it perfect for when youre on the go.

4. Add variety to your routine

Keep your muscles guessing by cross training and trying different workouts or tweaking your usual routine. Youll work new muscles and beat boredom while tryingsomething new. Also, studies show that youre more likely to stick with your daily exercise routine if you switch up your workouts. Are you a CrossFit junkie? Stretch out at a yoga class. Is running more your style? Try addingsome speed intervals throughout your usual route.

5. But dont force yourself to do an activity you dislike

If you hate an activity, youre likely much less likely to stick with it. This doesnt mean shying away from activities that challenge you thats how your body changes! But if you dread swimming, theres no reason to force yourself into the pool five times a week. Working out shouldnt be a chore; it should be something you look forward to.

6. Do it on a budget

Its easy to think that getting in shape will be expensive, but it doesnt have to be. Aside from outdoor activities like walking, running andhiking, there are many other ways to get in a great workout without spending much money. Try a YouTube workout, check out low-cost community fitness centers or invest in a few quality exercise videos.

7. Crank up the music

Its been scientifically proven that listening to upbeat music during exercise helps you work harder and enjoy both the workout and the music more. (2) Plus, it can help pass the time during a particularly intense part of your workout.

And its super easy! All you have to do is add your favorite fast-paced jams to a playlist and get moving.

8. Exercisewith a group

Not only do activities like group fitness exercises help hold you accountable to a specific time and place to work out, its also a great way to meet friends. After all, youre likely to start seeing and befriending class regulars. Classes also provide an opportunity to try something new in a safe, supportive environment.

If working out in a studio isnt your thing, check sites like Meetup to find local groups in sports youre interested in. From running groups to walking to lose weight to bike riding communities, theres probably a group interested in the same activities as you.

9. Start your day with a workout

If you constantly find that theres not enough time during the day to squeeze in a workout, it might be time to jumpstart yourday with one. Getting exercise in the morning has a variety of perks: Youll be energized throughout the day, unexpected time commitments wont jeopardize your fitness plans and youre more likely to make healthier choices.

And heres a bonus tip: Make setting the alarm clock early a bit easier by prepping your workout essentials the night before so you can grab and go.

10.Get results fast with burst training

Burst trainingisinterval training that combines short, high-intensity bursts of exercise with slow recovery phases. This method of exercise helps your body burn fat faster because your metabolism stays elevated for up to 48 hours after exercise. When youre short on time but want fastresults, its a super effective option to lose weight fast.

11. Skip the scale

When youre trying to lose weight, the scale can be deceiving. Thats because it doesnt take into account that you are probably adding muscle. So even though youre making progress, the number on your scale might not budge (or it couldeven go up), which can be defeating.

And while a pound of fat is still the same as a pound of muscle, because muscle is lean and smooth, you can be shedding inches while remaining the same weight. To get a more accurate depiction of how your body is changing, use body measurement tape instead to track your size and progress.

12. Incorporate weight lifting

Could lifting weightstruly be one of the fastest ways to lose weight? Savvy exercisers know that the best workouts dont include just cardio, but incorporate strength training as well.

Building muscle helps you lose inches all around, keeps your metabolism going after leaving the gym and will help you look better, too. Researchers even discovered that weight training could be more beneficial for reducing belly fat than aerobic exercise. (3)

And ladies, dont stress weight lifting will not make you bulk up. So if youre looking to get that toned look, pick up those weights and make them a regular part of your routine.

13. Consider using a personal trainer

If youre at a total loss as to how to begin a fitness routine, have an injury or other health issues or simply want to learn how to maximize your gym time, considering investing in a personal trainer. They can help shape a fitness program to reach your goals while taking into account any special considerations.

A certified personal trainer can be a great way to kick-start your healthy lifestyle or help get you over a weight loss plateau. Scheduling one with a few friends can keep costs down, too.

14. Drink plenty of water

Often we think were hungry when our bodies are actually just begging for water. So itsimportant to drinkenough waterthroughout the day to stay hydrated. Rather that worrying about stomach bloat and water weight, you need to realize that water will actually reduce bloating and overall weight.

Drinking water not only keeps fat toxins moving out of the body, it also keeps your metabolism running optimally. In fact, in a 2013 study showed14 healthy men and women increased their metabolic rate by 30 percent after drinkingabout 16 ounces of water! (4)

And if thats not enough to convince you the worlds healthiest drink will help you lose weight fast, remember that itscalorie-free, too!

15. Pack your own snacks

It comes on suddenly: One minute youre feeling great and the next youre starving for a snack. Skip the vending machine and prepare your own healthy snacks to take to work, school or whenever youre out and about. Why? In part, because most processed snacks are purely carbs and are the definition of empty calories, jacking your blood sugar and leaving you hungrier afterwards.

From apple chips to an on-the-go healthysmoothie, packing your own snacks will help you lose weight fast while also giving you the nutrients you need without the icky preservatives from expensive, processed foods.

16. Increase your protein intake

Increasing your protein intake is a great way to lose weight fast and burn fat. And most people dont get nearly enough protein in their diet.

If your goal is to lose weight, I would recommend consuminghalf your body weight in grams of protein a day (at the very least). For those seeking to burn fat and build muscle, aim to consume 0.7 to 1 gramperpound of body weight. For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should be getting 75 to 150 grams of protein a day (depending on your goals). Checkout this list of these topprotein foods.

17. Eat grapefruit

New research is revealing that consuming grapefruit benefits weight loss in a major way. (5) The key may be an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that is found in grapefruit. AMPK helps your body utilize sugar, which results in boosting your metabolism.

Additionally, nootkatone, a component found in grapefruit, has been shown to significantly increase fat-burning (AMPK) activity. So consider grapefruit a great vitamin C-rich snack and add grapefruit slices to a spinach salad or even into an immune-boosting smoothie to help you lose weight fast.

18. Drink green tea

Drinking herbal teas such asgreen tea, white tea, black tea and rooibos tea can amp up your metabolism. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea is more effective than other teas like oolong at promoting weight loss because of its high levels of catechins. (6) So if you want to lose weight fast, I recommend drinking 13 cups of green tea daily.

19. Get your fill of fiber

Foods high in fiber will help you feel fuller longer and help reduce sugar cravings. Also, fiber has been proven to balance blood sugar, lower cholesterol and more.

But chances are youre not consuming enough. The average person only gets 1520 grams of fiber eachday when they should be getting 3040 grams daily. Not sure if your favorite foods stack up? Check out my tophigh-fiber foods.

20. Eat 90 percent of your meals at home

Whether youre a novice or a pro in the kitchen, making your own snacks and meals from whole foods will help you lose weight fast. By controlling what ingredients, fats and oils are in your food, youll be able to make healthy choices without sacrificing the food and flavors you love.

Start by committing to making one meal a day at home. As you get more comfortable in the kitchen, increase that number. Youll be surprised by the quality of dishes you can make right in your own kitchen. Get some of my favorite healthy recipes here.

21. Stock pile healthy snacks at home

See no evil, eat no evil. Its hard to resist temptation when it comes to foods so eliminate it instead! Keep your cabinets and refrigerator stocked with fresh, healthy snacksso theyrefront and center. One trick I love is washing fresh fruits and veggies as soon as I get home from the store and storing them in glass or nice bowls on the counter or refrigerator shelf. It keeps them visible so you rememberto eat them!

Plus, whenever I need a snack, theyre already prepped. To make it a little easier to start, here are sometips forhealthy eating on a budget. You can also take along my healing dietshopping listthe next time you hit the supermarket.

22. Make a menu

If youre constantly find yourself thinking, I have nothing to eat or I dont know what to make, preparing a menu is for you. Similarly, many diets may give you a plan in the beginning but then ask you to repeat the menu. Most of us like variety so it might be time to create your own menu.

Choose your favorite recipes and decide what you want to serve for meals a week at a time. Write out the ingredients youll need and take that list with you when you shop. Youll have all the ingredients on hand to make nutritious meals for the week.

Bonus: Save money by choosing meals that use in-season produce and combining your meals with your local grocery stores sales flyer. And dont forget about leftovers! Use them to create new meals (for instance, make a stir-fry with leftover cooked meats and veggies) or have a weekly night where all the leftovers get put out and everyone in the family can eat their favorites again.

23. Slow down!

When you eat fast, its easy to overeat. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to register that itsfull. While you chew, your brain is processing that you are eating, and chewing releases enzymes for pre-digestion in your saliva to start the digestion process.

So begin mindful eating, chewing slowly and enjoying the flavor of your food! This process will ensure that you not only consume fewer calories, it also eases digestion and helps your brain to catch up with your body. If you have trouble eating slowly, try putting down your fork or spoon in between bites.

24. Let go of the grains

Even though grains have been promoted as healthy starches, consuming them is one of the fastest ways to pack on the pounds. Plus as you probably know by now, the gluten found in most grains can increase inflammation in yourbody and put a strain on your digestive system. And store-bought bread often has added high fructose corn syrup, sugar and preservatives.

Grains contain large amounts of carbohydrates, which break down into sugar thatyour body will store as fat. So my advice is to keep your grain consumption down to one serving or less daily. And when you do eat grains, eat only sprouted grains or quinoa, and load up on vegetables!

25. Dont shop on an empty stomach

Does this situation sound familiar? You have the best of intentions to fill the grocery cart with lots of produce and healthy protein. But halfway through your shopping trip, your stomach starts growling and all of a sudden those potato chips are looking a lot more appealing than normal. Well, its happened to us all.

The best solution? Fill up before you go! When youre not fighting hunger pangs, its a lot easier to make healthy choices.

26. Make healthy swaps

Eating clean doesnt mean you have to give up your favorite foods. Instead, think of ways to healthify them yourself! Is dip your weakness? Try this spicy bean dip. Are Fridays your pizza night? Make a coconut crust pizza instead. I guarantee theyll be delicious, satisfy your cravings and help you feel great!

27. Dont supersize

No, Im not talking about fast food in fact, pleasecut outANY fast food, which relies on terrible ingredients and excessive sodium, from your diet. But simply speaking, there are going to be times that you are in a situation where you are in a position to eat something that is usually off-the-menu for healthy eating. So, instead of binging on these foods, keep your goals in mind and nibble on smaller amounts.

Are you at a party with hors doeuvres and appetizers you just cant turn down?Decide youll eat just one type of bite-sized food and turn down the rest. Or, is your office having a pizza party and the smell of cheesy goodness is too hard to resist? Pick the slice loaded with veggies, enjoy and then turn away.

28. Add in some fat-burning herbs

Most diets barely discuss herbs, but adding in some healthy herbs to whatever eating plant youre onmay be just what you need to lose weight fast! Studies have shown that herbs like cayenne pepper, turmeric, cinnamon and dandelion may all help promote weight loss. (7)

You can add a bit of cayenne pepper to season chicken or dips, use turmeric when making burgers or sprinkle it on a salad, put 1/2 teaspoonof cinnamon in your smoothie and drink a hot cup of dandelion tea in the morning for breakfast.

29.Downsizeyour plate

Believe me, this really works! Because the same serving of food looks like less food on larger plates, trick your brain into eating less by serving your main dish on salad-sized plates instead of dinner ones. (8)

I switched out all my large dinner plates with salad plates for a while. And it is amazing how a medium-sized plate of food felt more satisfying when I cleaned it. When you combine this with eating slower and more intentionally, you will enjoy your food more and eat less!

30. Do a cleanse or detox

Doing a short cleanse or detox is one of the best ways to lose weight fast. Whether it be a few days or weeks, doing something like a vegetable juice cleanse or the Daniel fastis highly effective. Another simple way to cleanse is by starting to drink thisSecret Detox Drink.

31. Make a better breakfast

Start your day on the right foot and fuel your body with a hearty breakfast. Itll give you energy in those first few hours youre awake. Plus, since breakfast is the firstmeal of the day, youll have all day to burn those calories. Tired of the same old eggs and toast? Try some of these delicious breakfast recipes.

32. Go crazy for coconuts

When consumed as part of a low-carb diet, along with the avocado, coconut is one of the best weight loss foods in the world today. Coconut contains MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids) that your body can easily burn as fuel for energy.

To get more coconut into your diet, switch out the other oils in your home for coconut oil, add coconut milk into your morning smoothie, use coconut flakes to crust chicken tenders and drink coconut water to stay hydrated during your next workout.

33. Dont drink your calories

Creamy, foamy drinks might taste delicious, but they can have enough calories to serve as an entire meal and thats not even taking into account the amount of sugar and preservatives they contain. Make your own healthier versions instead. From pumpkin spice lattes to spiced hot apple cider, theres a nutritious alternative for most high-calorie beverages

34. Choose healthy fats

Not all fat is created equal. The fats found in foods likeavocados, nutsand dark chocolate are actually good for you and they taste delicious! Enjoy them on a regular basis to reap their health benefits but dont go overboard because they are calorie dense.

35. Bring your own foods

Its your Aunt Mildreds birthday and, while youre committed to healthy eating, the rest of your family hasnt gotten there yet. Instead of chowing down on fried, unhealthy foods or being rude and turning down everything thats offered, a great compromise is to bring a dish along to share (after clearing it with the host, of course).

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How to Lose Weight Fast: 49 Secrets to Put Into Practice ...