The number one question we get in the gym is not how to burn fat but rather how to lose weight and keep it off once it's gone. Today's article will show you five proven steps, all of which are free and which anybody can apply right now.
In a world where hype is king we all get misled at some point by celebrity gossip magazines claiming we can all lose five stones in a week without going to the gym, or bodybuilding magazines claiming a new supplement is going to help you build muscle in your sleep. This causes disappointment, depression and ultimately no results.
You do not have to carry on being miserable about your weight. No matter what your goal is, it is certainly achievable. We know this because it's our job to do so.
The five steps below are the benchmark of a good, proven diet:
1) A calorie deficit is necessary to lose weight but it must be done correctly or it will not work. This means cutting your daily calories by around 100-200 per day until you reach your target number each day as opposed to suddenly dropping your food by 50% and hoping for the best. The former will increase weight loss and make your diet far easier to stick to, whereas the latter will force your body into starvation mode where it stores fat. That's right, drop your calories too drastically and you'll be storing more fat even though you are eating way less. This step is where so many 'yo-yo' dieters and celebrity magazine followers go wrong.
2) If you eat more protein you will burn more fat. That may sound strange, given that protein is normally associated with bodybuilders and building big muscles, but it is completely true. As you drop your carbs and fat intake you will begin burning muscle and keeping fat. You don't want this to happen. Increase your protein intake and you'll end this effect, forcing your body to retain lean muscle and lose fat instead.
3) More protein means more fat loss. Protein is usually associated with building muscle but don't worry you're not going to suddenly hulk up into Arnold Schwarzenegger! Between the three macronutrients protein has the least effect of fat storage, so if you need a snack think fish, chicken or a protein shake.
4) Pack your lunch. This is not perhaps what you'd expect but it will make sense and is a real favorite at the gym among those who get results. When you are out all day at the office there is huge temptation coming from the resident chocolate store or vending machine. We've all been there. Pack a few small tubs with 50 to 100 kcal meals and you'll beat this temptation. The snacks are too small to impact your daily diet anywhere near enough to make a significant difference and it will help you avoid fatty, bad foods.
5) Take a day off every Sunday or any other day which works best for you. How many friends have you known who have crashed off a diet two weeks in because they were avoiding all of their favorite foods and living on boring salads? We know where this leads. They promise to start a new routine next month, only for the same effect to take hold again. Enjoying a day off is a key part in helping you stick to your diet.
Having one day off each week is a great way to reward and recharge yourself ahead of the next week and the fact is there is nothing wrong with this at all. You may take on board some bad foods, that's a given, but ultimately if it helps you to stick to your goal for ten times as long as you ever could before then there is no problem!
If you have ever heard somebody say that gradual weight loss is better than fast weight loss that's because it's absolutely true. The five rules we outlined today will help you to lay the foundations for your journey, go achieve your goals.
In a world where hype is king we all get misled at some point by celebrity gossip magazines claiming we can all lose five stones in a week without going to the gym, or bodybuilding magazines claiming a new supplement is going to help you build muscle in your sleep. This causes disappointment, depression and ultimately no results.
You do not have to carry on being miserable about your weight. No matter what your goal is, it is certainly achievable. We know this because it's our job to do so.
The five steps below are the benchmark of a good, proven diet:
1) A calorie deficit is necessary to lose weight but it must be done correctly or it will not work. This means cutting your daily calories by around 100-200 per day until you reach your target number each day as opposed to suddenly dropping your food by 50% and hoping for the best. The former will increase weight loss and make your diet far easier to stick to, whereas the latter will force your body into starvation mode where it stores fat. That's right, drop your calories too drastically and you'll be storing more fat even though you are eating way less. This step is where so many 'yo-yo' dieters and celebrity magazine followers go wrong.
2) If you eat more protein you will burn more fat. That may sound strange, given that protein is normally associated with bodybuilders and building big muscles, but it is completely true. As you drop your carbs and fat intake you will begin burning muscle and keeping fat. You don't want this to happen. Increase your protein intake and you'll end this effect, forcing your body to retain lean muscle and lose fat instead.
3) More protein means more fat loss. Protein is usually associated with building muscle but don't worry you're not going to suddenly hulk up into Arnold Schwarzenegger! Between the three macronutrients protein has the least effect of fat storage, so if you need a snack think fish, chicken or a protein shake.
4) Pack your lunch. This is not perhaps what you'd expect but it will make sense and is a real favorite at the gym among those who get results. When you are out all day at the office there is huge temptation coming from the resident chocolate store or vending machine. We've all been there. Pack a few small tubs with 50 to 100 kcal meals and you'll beat this temptation. The snacks are too small to impact your daily diet anywhere near enough to make a significant difference and it will help you avoid fatty, bad foods.
5) Take a day off every Sunday or any other day which works best for you. How many friends have you known who have crashed off a diet two weeks in because they were avoiding all of their favorite foods and living on boring salads? We know where this leads. They promise to start a new routine next month, only for the same effect to take hold again. Enjoying a day off is a key part in helping you stick to your diet.
Having one day off each week is a great way to reward and recharge yourself ahead of the next week and the fact is there is nothing wrong with this at all. You may take on board some bad foods, that's a given, but ultimately if it helps you to stick to your goal for ten times as long as you ever could before then there is no problem!
If you have ever heard somebody say that gradual weight loss is better than fast weight loss that's because it's absolutely true. The five rules we outlined today will help you to lay the foundations for your journey, go achieve your goals.
About the Author:
About the author: Russ Howe is a qualified and much followed Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. If you are lost with your diet, be sure to watch your exclusive video guide to how to lose weight next.
