Natural Weight Loss Strategies For You

It’s time to get out of the infomercial-driven market and realize that the real miracle diet is in natural weight loss strategies, using nature’s own miracle foods.

How many fads and crazy diets have you tried? Even though deep in your heart you know this isn’t the proper way to get rid of any extra weight, do you still hope that this one is the miracle you’ve been hoping for?

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By incorporating natural foods and strategies, you’ll be able to lose weight you’ve been hanging onto for good.

Here are some natural foods to provide you with an upper hand in your Natural Weight Loss Strategies:

1. Eat organic and raw.

It’s always best when trying to lose weight naturally to utilize organic products as much as possible. Organic produce is free of pesticides and preservatives and raw foods retain all of their natural vitamins and minerals. By ridding your body of these dangerous chemicals, weight loss can occur that much easier.

* Visit your local farmer’s market and support your local farmer. They might also have a larger variety of organic produce than the grocery stores.

2. Water.

Water is at the top of the list for a natural weight loss strategy. It sounds pretty obvious, but the truth is, we don’t tend to drink enough water every day. Not only does water flush out toxins and impurities, but it also helps in raising the metabolism, regulating body temperature and keeping our heart and brain healthy.

* Be aware that the popular flavored waters often add some kind of sugar, artificial sweetener, or even salt to the formula, making them less healthy than plain water. Stick to the natural stuff!

3. Vegetables.

Vegetables are one of the building blocks of good nutrition, and essential to weight loss success. High in vitamins and nutrients, veggies also provide us with energy to sustain us throughout the day. Plus, they have very little sodium, so they reduce bloating and water weight gain.

* Try to incorporate veggies into your lunches and dinners every day, specifically aim for dark orange and dark green vegetables like squash, spinach, pumpkin, and romaine lettuce. A simple side salad or lettuce and tomato on a sandwich are easy ways to get started.

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4. Choose brown rice over white rice.

Why brown rice? The answer is simple, fiber. Brown rice is loaded with fiber. Due to the simple fact that the rice’s hull is kept intact during its processing, it retains its fiber content.

* The natural fiber in brown rice allows our systems to run smoother and keeps us full for much longer than low fiber white rice.

* Brown rice can be found in any grocery store, usually next to the white rice. Throw some extra vegetables or herbs into the rice for some extra flavor and variety.

5. Choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes.

They aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore! Sweet potatoes are high in anti-oxidants and vitamins and are absolutely delicious as well.

* Providing many more nutrients than a typical white potato, they’re low in calories and a great weight loss food choice.

* Peel and cut sweet potatoes into chips or shoestring fries and roast in the oven for a tasty and colorful treat.

6. Legumes and beans.

The benefits that beans and legumes provide are absolutely outstanding! They’re low in fat and high in fiber, making them a great choice for weight loss. They’re also extremely heart-healthy.

* You can find a multitude of recipes online that incorporate legumes and beans. Take some time to do a recipe search and your heart with thank you.

7. Fruit.

Fruit is a wonderful addition to any natural weight loss regime. It provides natural energy to make exercising easier and it’s loaded with fiber to keep us full and curb cravings.

* Fruit should be eaten raw to receive its full benefit, especially the fiber. Fruit juice doesn’t provide the same nutritional value as eating an actual piece of fruit.

* Fruit smoothies are an excellent way to start your day. Even if you’re not a breakfast person, smoothies are easy to make and take on the go. Plus if you use fresh fruits, you’ll retain the vitamin content.

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Final thoughts on Natural Weight Loss Strategies

Following through with your decision to lose weight can sometimes seem overwhelming. But if you approach it with a few natural tips and tricks under your belt, you’ll be that much closer to weight loss success!

Use these Natural Weight Loss Strategies to improve your health today!

By MaryAnn Roche

Tags: lose weight, Natural Weight Loss, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Strategies

Top Tips to the Perfect Beach Body

Ok, tell me…hows your beach body? Is the thought of other people seeing your thighs or belly a little scary? or are you buff? Read on for top tips to the perfect beach body…..

With summer here, most of us are thinking about the sandy beaches, the warm sun and how we’re going to look in our swimsuits.

Well here are some quick and easy ways to get your body ready for swimsuit season this year.

Beach Bodies are great when they are planned and monitored…..

1. Keep a diet and exercise journal.

Keeping track of how often you exercise and how much you eat will really help you see the big picture. Journaling will also help you see your progress, which can do tremendous efforts in keeping you motivated.


* A simple notebook will do, or you can use a spreadsheet program on the computer. Another alternative would be to create a weight loss blog. Having your progress available for the public eye to see is a great way to stay on track and motivated.

Start your Beach Body Journey here…..

2. Start eating smarter and healthier.

Choosing the proper foods is not only important for your looks, but it also affects how you feel. To burn fat off healthily and easily, begin eating a diet of plenty of green leafy vegetables, wholesome fruits, lean meats, and whole grain breads. A well-balanced diet helps your body function properly and helps you feel full and satisfied throughout the day.

3. Reduce your portions and eat less.

Portion control, or lack thereof, is probably the biggest factor in weight gain in today’s society. For some reason the majority of the population has come to think that we’re supposed to eat enormous amounts of food in order to feel satisfied, but the opposite is true.

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* When you reduce the amount of food you eat in one sitting and wait a few minutes, you’ll notice you more full than you think. This is because it takes your body 20 minutes to tell your brain that you’re full.


* Here’s another tip:
Eat six small meals a day, as opposed to the 3 larger meals that you’re accustomed to, and you’re more likely to lose weight. By eating smaller, more frequent meals, you’re keeping your metabolism going. It doesn’t slow down or stop then have to work so hard to restart itself.

Beach Bodies need Exercise….

4. Start a regular exercise program.

This isn’t a revolutionary idea, but you can target the problem areas by doing exercises specifically for your belly, thighs, upper arms and love handles:

* Crunches for your abs
* Arm rolls and pushups for your upper arms
* Leg lifts and squats for your thighs
* Bending at the side while standing for love handles

Those are just a few suggestions of exercises you can do at home that target those specific areas. Other exercises you can do to get your beach body in swimsuit shape are:

* Swimming at your local community center or public pool
* Jogging
* Walking around your neighborhood with a friend or relative
* Biking
* Hiking on trails or in other naturally scenic areas
* Inline skating at a local arena or in your neighborhood
* Nintendo Wii fitness games

5. Stay active by incorporating regular exercise into your daily routines.

* Whenever you can, take the stairs.
* Park farther out when going to the store or appointments.
* Walk wherever you can instead of driving.
* If you sit behind a desk all day, get up and move around every hour for 5 – 10 minutes.

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Getting your body ready for the beach doesn’t have to be difficult or take up extra time that you don’t have, but it can be done. By taking action with the suggestions above, you’ll begin to see the results you want and have the perfect beach body you deserve! Hurry up too! or before you know it Summer will be over!

Tags: beach body, body, perfect beach body

Body Image and Loving the Female Body

Do you have a good body image? Do you like your female body the way it is? With the media today focusing on super skinny women, it’s hard to think that you could possibly be desirable if you don’t look like the women on TV and in magazines. The reality is, the average woman in America weighs 164 lbs. and is a size 14.

A positive self-image is one of the top things most women struggle with. So, how can you learn to love your body the way it is?

First of all, you need to focus on what you do like about your body.

Here are some questions to get you thinking about the things you DO like about yourself:

* What areas do you get complimented on the most? What do others notice about you first when you walk into a room?

* Are you shapely with a larger busts and hips? Do you have a womanly figure?

* Do you have nice legs? Are they thin and long? Are they muscular and strong?

* Do people comment on how pretty you are or often say that you have beautiful eyes?

* Do you like to show off your feet with pretty sandals or open toed shoes?

* Is your hair shiny and beautiful? Do you like to touch it or play with it?

Instead of being overly critical and negative, be grateful for the body and health you do have. So give yourself permission to see and accept the good!


Loving Your Female Body Image with the Perfect Clothing

Learning to love your body is important because having a good self-image empowers you in many ways. When you love the way you look, you feel more confident and confidence gives you the ability to do anything you set your mind to.

Dressing for your body type also plays a big part in how you look and see yourself, so it’s important to know what color, style, shape and material of clothing looks best on you. If your closet is full of worn out t-shirts and old faded blue jeans, it’s time for a wardrobe makeover.

Take a good, honest friend or family member shopping with you to help you choose clothes that fit well and colors that look best on you. Updating your wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive either. Begin by shopping resale stores. Oftentimes you can find brand name, never worn clothes at prices greatly below retail. However, don’t settle for less than the best for your body type. If you can’t find the perfect items for your body, then don’t buy the clothes just because they’re cheap.

Top Female Body Image wardrobe from the bottom up, starting with the basic necessities:

* Black dress pants for work or an evening out
* One dressy blouse for work or an evening out
* One power suit for job interviews or business
* A black skirt
* Camisoles in a variety of colors for layering
* A well fitting pair of blue jeans for casual days
* 2 to 3 casual tops (by casual I’m not talking t-shirts either)
* 2 pair of shoes: 1 for dress and 1 for casual

When you’ve got the basic necessities, then you can build your wardrobe up from there by adding dressy blouses or tops in different colors and styles, more skirts in various styles and colors and so on.

Once you start loving your body by recognizing what you do like about it and dressing to fit your body type, you’ll gain a whole new confidence like you’ve never felt before and other people will take notice too. You may notice others reacting somewhat differently toward you as they respond to your new confidence. Heck, you might even get a raise!

So start learning to love your female body now. You’re beautiful!

A positive self or body image is essential to all around happiness – after all you have to live in that body – it will work better for the both of you if you like each other…lol

Whatever shape or size you are – love yourself and your female body!

Tags: Body Image, female body, female body image, the Female Body

My Top 5 Energy Boosters

Do you need more energy? most of us do at times. Read on to find my Top 5 Energy Boosters, you will probably find them all in your pantry right now!

With so many ads about which super foods are best, it can be confusing to decipher what’s a scam and what’s the truth. That’s why I compiled a list of the top five energy boosting foods that will give you true, lasting energy to keep you hopping all day!

Best Energy Boosters….

Now lets start with my favourite food of all – and Im not kidding this genuinely makes the list……

Chocolate

Studies show that chocolate can elevate your energy levels by way of certain bioactive compounds such as tyramine and phenylethylamine. Chocolate has also been claimed to improve anemia, awaken the appetite, aid in digestion, and improve longevity. Chocolate contains sugar and caffeine along with fat and calories so consume in moderation. When possible, opt for dark chocolate or raw cacao for the highest source of antioxidants.

Oatmeal

Oats contain the energizing and stress-lowering B vitamin family, which helps transform carbs into usable energy. Oats are also low on the glycemic index because they have a lot of fiber. That means that your body gets a steady stream of energy, as opposed to a short-term spike, because the carbohydrates gradually flow into your bloodstream.

The key here is to look for high-fiber oatmeal, like oat bran. For the best nutrition kick, avoid instant oatmeal and stick with more natural varieties, then add your own sweetness.

Lentils

Beans are a great source of fiber, which translates to a slow release of glucose, as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. Lentils provide both carbohydrates and protein, making them a great addition to any meal. Lentils help reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure, and they’re low in fat and calories to boot.

Bananas

Bananas provide a lot of potassium, an electrolyte that helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. Unlike some nutrients, the body doesn’t store potassium for long periods of time. This means that your potassium level can drop during times of stress or during strenuous exercise when the nutrient is lost through excessive sweating. The sugar in bananas is an easily digested form of carbohydrate.

Other fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches and pineapples also make great energizing and refreshing snacks. We all know we need to be eating more fruits in our diet!

Almonds

These little guys are great if you’re looking to improve your focus and mental clarity. Monounsaturated fats such as almonds provide essential fatty acids, known as omega-3s and omega-6s that produce an alert mental state.

Healthy Fats

Other healthy fats to include in your diet are avocados, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and fish oil. Of course, you’ll want to check with your health practitioner before making drastic changes to your diet.

Incorporating these foods into your daily menu takes some planning, so here are some ideas you can use to ensure you’ll have all the energy you need every day.

Energy Boosting from the Start of the Day

Breakfast

* Smoothies: For breakfast, a banana fruit smoothie is a quick and easy way to get the potassium your body requires for normal function. In a blender, combine a small banana, some frozen berries of your choice, ice, 1/2 cup low fat milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla. You can also add a tablespoon of peanut butter or some raw cacao powder as well.

* Oatmeal: If you need a quick breakfast, you may not always think of oatmeal, or you may think of instant oatmeal, which isn’t as nutritious. Some companies are making instant oatmeal healthier by not adding as much sugar and artificial flavoring, but you’ll always want to compare the sugar and fiber amounts across a few different brands to find the most nourishing oatmeal.

* Cereals: Another great alternative to a bowl of hot oatmeal is bran and muesli cereals. They contain a lot of the energy boosting nutrients of oatmeal, and often contain healthy nuts and dried fruits as well.

Snacks

* Almonds: These nuts are perfect as a mid afternoon snack. Grab a handful and take them to work with you in a snack cup or baggie.

* Dark Chocolate: When you’re feeling sluggish, a small dark chocolate bar is all you need for a great pick me up that will last longer than an hour or two.

Dinner Side Dishes

* Beans: Lentils are a great side dish to enhance many dinner entrees such as tacos and burgers. You can also make lentils a main dish by combining several types into one dish as a bean soup or bean casserole served with cornbread. Another way to eat lentils is to add some pepper and melted shredded cheese as part of a healthy lunch.

Get Your Energy, Easy Energy Boosters!

Working these naturally energizing foods into your daily routine doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little imagination and effort, you can have all the energy you need to stay awake and alert throughout the entire day!

Try some of these top 5 Energy Boosters today and get more out of life!

Tags: booster, energy, Energy Boosters

Here’s How You Can Lose 5 Pounds

I’ve been on a weight loss binge latelyand here’s what I learned to get rid of a few pounds really quick!

How many times have you heard someone say that they want to lose five pounds? And how many times have you heard that the diet starts tomorrow?

Tomorrow? Why not right now? Tomorrow never comes!

The truth is, losing a mere five pounds is very realistic and it can be a great kick-start to your metabolism and energy levels. Plus, it can help you fit into that little black dress or suit for that upcoming wedding, reunion, or vacation. But you have to make the commitment to start now, not tomorrow, not Monday, but right now!

Below is a healthy weight loss plan to help you shed 5 pounds quickly, easily and most importantly, the healthy way. As with all diets, check with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise plan.

1. Begin by drinking more water.

Your body requires water to function properly and with the right amount of water, your digestive system will work more efficiently. Plus, by filling your stomach with water, you’ll eat less and feel full faster.


* Water helps flush your body of toxins and water weight. Yes, more water actually helps your body get rid of excess water.


* The daily minimum intake of water is 64 ounces (or almost 2 liters).

If you’re like most people, your current intake of water is probably less than half of the recommended amount, so drink up!

2. Get off the couch and get active.

When you move your body you build muscle, which burns fat. There are so many activities that you can engage in that don’t cost money or require expensive gym equipment to help you get fit and lose weight. Here are some ideas:

* Walking around your neighborhood or in a local park
* Biking
* Hiking
* Swimming
* Throwing a ball with your kids or spouse
* Frisbee
* Volleyball
* Tennis
* Inline skating (with the proper safety equipment of course)

3. Make healthier food choices.

To effectively boost your calorie and fat burning processes, eat healthier foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits and lean meats.


* You’ll also want to limit your intake of red meat, high calorie and fat dressings, gravies and sauces and avoid sugary drinks, candy or other foods with lots of sugar.


* Sugar causes you to put on weight, so when you eliminate sugar, you help eliminate weight gain. Also, try to choose natural or organic foods in order to avoid consuming chemicals that may actually cause you to retain weight.

4. Use portion control to limit the amount of food you consume.

Studies show that reducing the amount of food you eat actually produces the quickest weight loss. Obviously you want to do this in a healthy manner, not obsessively or out of control. 


* Eating 6 small meals a day, as opposed to the three larger meals you’re probably accustomed to, has been shown to be healthier, help reduce fat stores and to increase metabolism.


* If you’re wondering what a healthy portion looks like, it’s all in the hands. In other words, a healthy portion or serving size is about the size of your fist, palm, or hand, depending on what food you’re eating.


* Close your fist. That’s a healthy portion size for a serving of rice, pasta or other side dish.


* Open your hand and look at the size of your palm. This is the perfect amount of chicken breast, pork or other types of meat. It should be about the size and thickness of a deck of cards.


* The size of your entire open hand is the perfect size for veggies.

5. Replace unhealthy snacks with nuts, raw veggies or fruit.

Here are a few examples to help you choose healthier snack options:

* When you’re craving chips or other salty, crunchy snacks, grab a handful of nuts instead. They are healthier for you and satisfy the craving for salt or crunchiness. Also, try to buy nuts with less salt. Natural or raw varieties will help to reduce your salt intake too.

* When you want something sweet, grab a piece of fruit like an apple, banana, orange, or melon. The natural sugar is way better for you than eating a bowl of ice cream or a handful (or two) of cookies.

* Have the munchies in general? Nibble on some raw carrots, celery or broccoli.

Whether it’s to kick-start your weight loss plan or to fit into that little black party dress, taking off 5 pounds is a step in the right direction to a healthier, more fit you. It begins now!

Losing 5 pounds can be fun and make you feel so much better about yourself. Probably the best part is that it can be done quickly, in as little time as a week or two, depending on your specific circumstances.

Let me know if you have some great weight loss tips and I will add them here! Good luck on your journey!

Tags: lose, lose weight, pounds