How to reduce weight

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I know some of us especially women are desperate to lose weight and probably have tried so many diet pills, diets and other slimming programs but to no avail. The fats just don’t go away. What is wrong here, you asked? The only way to losing weight is to know the basics of what actually works to lose weight.

You’ve probably heard of them before but I will post them again here.

1. Losing weight is all about being honest to yourself. You can’t expect to eat chocolates in your room and expect to lose the muffin tops on your waist.

2. Cutting down on sugar. This is the most important thing to remember about losing weight. Almost all that we eat contains sugar, even carbohydrate contains sugar, if we could cut out our sugar consumption that would help in your losing weight goal. You don’t have to cut sugar abruptly but first try to reduce the intake from 2 teaspoons to 1. Once you get used to the taste, you can cut back sugar altogether. If you love eating rice, try to just have one serving of rice and eat more vegetables, which will help you to avoid getting another second round/serving.

3. Reduce fats or oils in your cooking. I should say this is the culprit! Imagine the steak and all! Yes, again self control. I know it’s hard but think of the jeans you’ve been wanting to put on.

4. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Not only they are nutritional, they taste great too with the right dressing (use low fat) and yoghurt. In fact, you shouldn’t worry if you consume more than you should because these won’t make you fat but gives you a feeling of fullness and more alert.

5. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. I know this is too overrated but should we argue– furthermore water is always free. Forget about anything with zero or light you see on labels, water is always the best option, if you want more zing or zest to your water, add lemon – it’s a very refreshing drink and flush out toxins in your urine. Think of it as an internal body cleanser.

6. If you follow steps 1-5, then you’re on your successful goal to losing weight slowly but surely, BUT if you add some movement in your lifestyle, with something so easy as taking a walk for 30 mins a day, you could say goodbye to muffin tops! In fact, why should we even complain when you get a lot of goodness out of walking, we do it everyday anyway, adding extra half and hour is more than enough to keep the weight away.

7. Have enough sleep, if you are like me who can’t sleep as early as 11.00 pm or just before midnight, then try having a nap in the afternoon. It’s refreshing and good for the brain. Getting enough sleep, keeps you more alert and energized.

8. Read labels on every food you buy to know how much calories per saving. Use per cup measurement so you don’t over stuff yourself especially food that contains high fat density. Nuts are good for you but limit yourself to only 1/2 cup per serving. Remember – self control! See portion control.

9. Get some motivation, it is always easy to lose weight when you and your spouse wanted to lose weight together instead of just you- if your spouse does not worry about his weight, ask a girlfriend/relative/your mom- anyone – I know most women are very body conscious.

10. Last but not least, reward yourself. Yes, who doesn’t love getting a reward especially when you’ve manage to resist all the eating temptations, i.e no cakes, no chocolates for a whole week! Good, now reward or treat yourself once a week to something you really love, get that refreshing body massage you’ve ever wanted or have a slice of cake (but then again, DO NOT OVEREAT!) One whole week without those sweet stuff is hard enough so you really deserve it!