The concept of dieting is daunting. With the thousands upon thousands of tips, tricks and snap diets, it's difficult to determine the best course to follow.
Follow these 5 simple steps to simplify dieting and keep yourself satiated.
Look at eating through macro-nutrients, not calories. Set your daily goals based on the amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats that you consume. Diets should be rich in protein, low-moderate in carbohydrates and loaded with healthy fats as a general guideline. Most people consume too little protein and too many carbohydrates, whereas a diet should include the inverse. Healthy fats become effective as they keep you feeling fuller, longer.
Record your daily meals. MyFitnessPal makes this a breeze. Simply download the app, and input your breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and exercise. Every day, in the Nutrition tab, you'll be able to see your daily protein, carbohydrate and fat consumption, i.e. macro-nutrients. This will serve as a personal guideline to you, and you'll learn more about the foods that you're consuming.
Eat the right foods at the right time of day. This is one of the most effective methods to begin shedding that stubborn belly fat. Use the following consumption guideline for each meal:
Morning - High Protein | High Fats | Little-to-No Carbohydrates (e.g. eggs, nuts, etc.)
Afternoon - Moderate-High Protein | Low-Moderate Fats | Moderate Carbohydrates (e.g. chicken, turkey, quinoa, brown rice, etc.)
Snack - Low-Moderate Protein | Moderate-High Fat | Low Carbohydrates (e.g. almonds, protein bars, etc.)
Dinner - Moderate-High Protein | Moderate Fats | Low Carbohydrates (e.g. salmon, vegetables/salad, sweet potato, etc.)
Note: "Fats" does not encompass saturated or trans fats, which should be avoided. The healthiest fats can be found in eggs, nuts and fishes.
Avoid sugary drinks, and limit alcohols. Replace any sugary or diet drinks with water, green tea or even black coffee. These metabolic stimulants will improve your body's fat-fighting abilities. Multiple cups of green tea (cold or hot) can greatly increase the body's metabolic activity. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation, but excess drinking plays a large role in dropping pounds.
Exercise. If you do not normally exercise or prefer to avoid a gym setting, walk. Walking quickly can become boring. So, liven it up. If you have a pet, take him for a stroll (weather permitting). If you can only use a treadmill, put on a favorite movie, book on tape or soundtrack to keep you entertained as well as continually motivated. Habitual walking makes a big impact in improving one's overall physique.
These 5 tips are great starters to shedding belly fat that you can't seem or lack motivation to shake.
For additional questions or more information related to shedding excess pounds, contact the author.