A lot of people today don’t exercise. That’s either because they don’t have the time or they don’t like working out. However, to many, it’s a lot easier to lose weight by dieting. Why? How come eating less is more efficient than eating right and exercising to shed unwanted pounds? In a society with busy business people working 24/7, relaxation doesn’t fit in anymore. Going to the gym usually means “wasting” 3 hours yourself, and we all know that very few people have 3 hours per week to waste working out. However, to them, it’s not that difficult to lose weight by dieting. A busy schedule doesn’t allow people to eat right. Some overeat and end up obese; others don’t eat at all and stay fit.
Of course, this is not the right approach to consider if you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Even though in some cases dieting can be more efficient than exercising, one must find a way to balance these two activities and include them both into their lifestyle.
Slim Down with Dieting
The best way of slimming down and dropping a few sizes is with dieting. When it comes to weight loss, it all comes down to food. Expert nutritionists emphasize that people who work out but don’t restrict calorie intake drop only 2-3% of their overall weight in 6-12 months. This is because it’s a lot easier to cut 500 calories/day (which is the amount per day required to lose 1 pound/week) than to burn 500 calories at the gym. However, for a diet to be beneficial it is important to adhere to 3 basic principles:
- Adhere to a plant-based diet – fruits & veggies, nuts, beans, whole-grains, healthy fats (omega-3s, olive oil)
- Limit the consumption of processed foods (frozen meals, refined carbs, deli meats, pastries and bread)
- Focus your attention on foods that are low in calories especially when snacking between main meals; and make sure to hydrate your body with water. Ditch fizzy drinks and sodas as they are packed with refined sugars.
The strategies mentioned above are meant to keep your body full without adding extra weight. Adhering to a healthy diet might seem difficult at first. Since your stomach is used to receiving lots of food to feel satisfied, at some point you might be craving for more immediately after you’ve had breakfast or lunch. If this happens to you, the key is to be strong. Have some water with lemon or tea; have a banana or some strawberries. Whatever you do just don’t eat junk food!
Tips for Increased Energy
Exercise is excellent at providing instant energy boosts. However, eating smart throughout the day will also keep you energized. Proper nutrition and meals at exact time intervals will additionally balance your blood sugar levels. Why is this so important? Because blood sugar drops and spikes are the main cause for energy fluctuations; another great benefit of proper nutrition is that it keeps brain neurotransmitters balanced. These chemical substances (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) are in charge of elevating your mood.
In order to make sure that your blood sugar levels are properly maintained, you should adhere to a 6-time meal every day. Apart from main dishes, include 200-calorie snacks as well into your diet. Ideal snacks should have healthy fats included, as well as lean protein and complex carbohydrates. Peanut butter on whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and an apple, yoghurt with granola are all excellent choices. Frequent eating makes sure the body doesn’t feel hungry or depressed considering that low blood sugar might boost the hormone in charge of stress – cortisol.
Another great way of decreasing fatigue levels is by eating foods high in flavonoids. Blackberries, acai juice, and blueberries are excellent choices. Flavonoids founds in these foods interact well with brain receptors; in adequate amounts, flavonoids lessen the feeling of tiredness. So even when they’re not boosting your energy levels, they still make sure your body is not fatigued.
Supplementation & Hydration
If losing weight with exercise is tough you should consult a nutritionist and talk about supplementation. Today’s reliable supplements are based on all-natural ingredients; their main purpose is to help the body burn fat faster and speed up the weight loss process. Even though there’s a lot of confusion concerning supplements, the best ones don’t contain any added substances that might put your health in danger. Among most of the most efficient, we should mention green tea supplements, starflower oil capsules, and omega-6.
Last but not least, for a diet to work it is important to complement it with as much water as possible. When trying to lose weight, staying hydrated is fundamental. If you don’t like drinking plain water, spike up your daily glasses with lemon juice, strawberries or other fresh fruit.