You don't need to go to the gym every day or go on a strict diet to lose weight. Here are some top weight loss tips from 'The Diet Doctor' Moodi Dennaoui and PT and former Survivor contestant Tegan Haining.
You dont make friends with salad. But you do lose weight.
GOING a diet can be pretty daunting. Not just because it means change and sacrifice but because there are thousands out there promising to work for you.
Instead of trying to decode conflicting messages, take on board these six traits that the best diets share.
1. THERES LITTLE TO GAIN IF YOU CANT SUSTAIN
Theres no denying quick fix plans get can results but the best diets require you to pace yourself. If you shed weight too quickly, its likely that youre losing muscle.
So dont set the bar too high effective results come from realistic expectations. Yes, its unlikely you can keep up salads and green juices forever.
2. PILE YOUR PLATE WITH PLANTS
While not everyone is ready to embrace full-on vegetarian eating, basing your diet largely on plant foods (fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts and whole grains) comes with lots of health benefits including for your waistline.
If youre a religious meat eater, consider adopting flexitarian habits (e.g. Meat-free Monday) to reap the plant power.
3. EAT FOOD, NOT CALORIES
Its no secret that heavily processed items have lots of mystery ingredients which could be standing between you and success on the scales. It may take a little more prep, but focus on real food and making your own meals from scratch that way youll know exactly whats entering your body (without having to count a single calorie).
Eat real food that you have cooked (even if it has a sprinkling of bacon).Source:Supplied
4. PRACTICE PORTION CONTROL
Its obvious that large portions make you consume more but they also encourage mindless eating, which can be a hard habit to break. Always use small plates and cutlery so you serve up less and chew with a conscious. If youre eating until youre full, chances are youve overeaten.
5. ENCOURAGE MOVEMENT
OK, this isnt dietary advice, but as long as were talking about achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, we cant not mention exercise. Regular physical activity will help you inch closer to your goal by burning calories and building muscle.
However, thats not the only reason to make exercise part of your daily life. Exercise also does wonders for your mental health and general wellbeing, and its also been linked to longer life expectancy.
6. THEY SUGGEST PERMANENT LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Forget the D word and commit yourself to making smart lifestyle choices each day. Make breakfast a priority, avoid prolonged sitting, get enough sleep and most importantly shift the way you think about weight loss. That has the potential to completely change the way you approach eating forever.
Kathleen Alleaume is an exercise and nutrition scientist and author of Whats Eating You?
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Six things the best diets have in common - NEWS.com.au
