Summer is here ladies and gentleman, and with it are the cute dresses, too short shorts, and revealing bathing suits. Inevitably, the first question we ask ourselves is “do I look good in this?” Answers may vary. But what do you do when the answer is “no”? Take a good, hard look at yourself and picture (realistically) what you would like to see in the future. But where do you start? We all know exercise is important. In fact, it is fundamental to being in good shape. But to lose a little bit of that extra fat, we need to turn to the kitchen.
I have admittedly always been skeptical of diets. I do not have faith in the miracles that the infomercials seem to proclaim. But I also must admit that your diet must change, at least in the beginning, in order to really see the results you want. So lets take a look at the different diets that might work for you.
Counting calories
This may be one of the easiest diets to keep track of, although slightly misleading. While counting calories does help to keep you from over-eating, sometimes it is taken to an extreme. The most important thing to know is that if you want to lose weight, you must burn more calories that you take in. This is the main reason to count. It is also misleading because calories are not the only thing that matters: salt, sugar and protein are all ingredients that you should measure when considering what to eat. In any case, calorie counting is a good way to start.
Programs
There are numerous programs out there such as Herbalife, Nutrilite and even Jenny Craig that do all the meal planning for you. In most cases, they include supplements to decrease appetite or increase energy. These are good for people that do not have time to search for healthy meals and cook, as well as people that have a little extra money. However I have personally seen the results some of these programs guaranteed and there is no doubt that it can work for some people.
Go organic
Another option for people who have the little extra money or the time to garden is to go organic. By that, I mean eating only healthy, fresh foods. These stores are not always easy to find but they are worth it because the food is more delicious and satisfying, not to mention free of hormones and pesticides. It is simply a matter or keeping your eyes open and being critical of the foods you pick up off the shelf. Stores like Whole Foods offer most of the foods you would find at Publix.
There are hundreds of options out there. Some people become vegetarian. Others cut sweets out of their diets completely (not advised). Some people eat very little to lose weight fast and then slowly build back up (also not advised). In the end, every body responds differently; you need to find the right diet for you. It is also important to remember that you really should not “diet”. If you really want to lose the weight and keep it off, it should be a lifestyle change. This means eating clean. I have never heard from a single person who has made this decision that they regret it. I know you can do it. So go get started!
Measuring Tape Wrapped Around Fork
