losing weight

Can when you eat and what foods you eat at specific times of day affect your success at losing weight? If I told you that WHEN you eat and what you eat matters, what you think I was crazy? Well, it’s true and it will make a difference to your weight loss goals. Once you understand and implement a few easy ideas, you’ll understand how your body works in assimilating and using nutrients. You'll be more aware of that when you eat and what you eat does make a difference in your weight loss program.

Carbohydrates at breakfast

I know what you’re thinking, and no, the answer is not coffee (although, admittedly, I am more coherent after I've had my morning coffee). The best way to jumpstart your day is to begin with a workout - it gets your blood flowing, oxygen to your brain and gives you energy for the day!

It can be incredibly intimidating to step on your scale every morning and there are a lot of factors that dictate the number that appears on the scale. Studies have shown that people who weigh themselves on a daily basis are less likely to regain or even gain more weight. The problem is, the number on the scale is only part of the puzzle.

Several comparison tests and consumer research has found that digital bathroom scales perform much better than analog scales.

Growing up, I watched my brother eat absolutely everything in sight. Two bowls of cereal and a PB&J in the morning, donuts, pizza, sweets, soda...pretty much everything he could get his hands on. My brother is only a year older than me, so I watched him and even mimicked him. That’s where I first began to realize that things weren’t equal.

So you’ve been working it hard at the gym, you’ve been eating well and you haven’t seen any change in that number on the scale. I can’t think of anything more discouraging when focusing so hard on your weight loss goal.  Anyone who’s working toward a weight loss goal should know that a plateau is inevitable, especially if you don’t switch it up! You can only eat so many veggies or hit the gym so many times before you become complacent.

Have you ever had an “ah-ha!” moment and realized that the answer was right under your nose the entire time? What if weight loss was that simple and the fail-safe remedy was right under all of our noses all this time?

Most people say they are carrying around a few more pounds than they’d like to. More often than not, those people are the same ones who say they don’t drink enough water. So I wondered, is water the "magical" weight loss remedy that we’ve overlooked all these years?

Maybe.

When I was little I remember watching my mom get up early and head out the door to meet her girlfriends for a morning walk. She followed her walking routine three mornings each week and it went on for several months. At that time, my mother was by no means a fan of working out, but walking fit her lifestyle. She was able to increase her heart rate and connect with her friends at the same time. After several months she lost weight too!

Getting motivated enough to hit the gym several times a week is a constant struggle for many who want to loose weight and stick to their plan. Especially if you’re new to the gym routine, it may be even extra overwhelming getting to know the different machines and the proper way to use them. In addition, it’s important that any fitness regimen incorporate a variety of strength training as well as stretching and cardiovascular workouts in order to really make an impact on your weight loss plan.

A pinch over fresh cut, home grown tomatoes, a dash over your favorite slice of pizza, a sprinkle over your scrambled eggs; is a little salt intake here and there really that bad? Can too much effect your weight loss plan? Maybe.

Leave your excuses at the door and start incorporating exercise into your day. Free exercise opportunities get your body moving, oxygen to your brain and burn calories without adding another "to do" to your your schedule.

Gym memberships are a great thing, if you can afford them and if there's one conveniently located so it's easy to get to. They're even better when you use them regularly enough to work out and reach your fitness and weigh loss goals.