fat burning
What stops you losing weight?
Australia is now the fattest nation in the world, with some 4 million or 26% of adults obese? This tops the United States at 25%. Our lifestyles & high processed foods contribute to these statistics. Yes, we need to eat less & move more, but what are the hidden obstacles in our day to day thoughts that are in the way? Here are some little things that can help you beat the battle of the bulge?
Treat Yourself:
When you start the healthy eating plan, are you far too strict? In a recent study, two groups of people were separated. Group 1 was not allowed to have their favorite “sometimes food”. Group 2 was allowed to have as much as they wanted. Once the ban was lifted Group 1 ate more of the banned food than Group 2 ate all along.
The occasional treat while on your healthy eating plan can ward off binging on it. The secret tip here is moderation.
Not bothering to cook for one:
Tonight it’s just you, so you can’t be bothered to cook. You start with a snack of something handy. Still not full you attack the biscuits & continue to graze on snack foods (high in calories which don’t fill you up) until you are stuffed. Because you have not had a proper meal this leaves you hungry through the night, tired & lethargic the next day as your sugar levels have been bouncing around rather than staying at a stable level. It’s better to cook a double portion, eat one portion and freeze the rest for another night when you are eating alone.
“I'll have what she’s having”:
You just want to eat what your friend is eating. We all know this friend. You know the one that eats anything and everything and still manages to maintain a healthy weight? So you keep up with them because you think it’s not fair. Well, everyone’s metabolic rate is different. Keeping up with your friends eating habits is only making it harder for you in the long run. Get to know what works for your body and stop worrying about what everyone else can get away with. Enjoy your food, the company, sticking to what works for you and your body.
The fast eater:
2,4,6,8 bog in don’t wait- WRONG! Though your body is an amazing piece of equipment, some messages take time to travel from your stomach to your brain. Once you are full from eating it takes your brain about 20 minutes to receive the message. Think about how much more you have eaten than you really needed or felt like in 20 minutes. Again take your time, enjoy the company and your food. Chew each mouthful and taste it.
No Waste Club:
I can always hear my mother saying “you are not leaving the dinner table until you have eaten every last bit of food on your plate.” So now, I start with smaller servings on my plate. If I need more, I go for seconds, rather than piling it on and feeling the need to eat it all.
Leftovers can be tomorrow’s lunch or dinner. When eating out, it is ok to ask for a doggy bag. Keep in mind, no matter which way you look at it, it is going to waste or waist…
It’s my destiny to be fat:
“I’ve tried losing weight before and failed several times, so just except it, I am fat”. You haven’t succeeded in the past as you just haven’t tried the write method, or had the right skills. There is a whole industry built around educating us on weight loss; don’t assume you should know how to do it by yourself. You are not a failure, you just need to get with a health professional or spend the time to read up on it to educate yourself on strategies that work. I can’t read Russian, but I have never been taught to so that’s expected, right?
Eating makes you feel better:
The brain releases serotonin (a feel good hormone) when you take that first bite. Once you realize that you aren’t actually craving the chocolate bar but the serotonin you can start to curb the craving. Exercise releases similar hormones which make you feel good, so a walk or workout would give you that same great feeling.
Emotional eating:
You’ve had a bad day at work, had a fight with your partner, feeling lonely or anxious. When we feel stressed or anxious our body naturally goes into famine mode, where it tries to store weight. Take the time to find out what your stress triggers are. Maybe take a time out and go for a walk to think about it. The serotonin and time out will help alleviate the emotional need to eat, while actually burning calories at the same time. Meditation, yoga and Pilates all bring about an element of calm which can restore your body to its normal mode of fat burning.
I’ll start my diet when…… or ill go to the gym after I lose…..kgs
‘I’m going to lose weight before I start the gym’. ‘I’m not fit enough to go to gym class.’ Does this sound familiar? NEWS FLASH! The gym is there, to help you achieve these goals. It is not just a place for thin, perfect, healthy people. You can rest assured that at least 10% of the people in the gym that day have just started their healthier lifestyle change. There is at least one new person in every class that is finding it challenging. Everyone is there to achieve their own personal goals; the professionals who work there are there to guide and help them. The only person judging you is you, everyone else is too busy working toward their goals. Waiting to get fit before you go to the gym is like saying; I will wait till I know how to drive before I take a driving lesson.’ As Nike say, “Just do it”.