Physical activity is great to get the body moving and to burn calories, but the most important part of any workout routine is the food you eat! Many people work themselves hard in the gym only to discover that the weight just isn’t budging, and that stubborn fat is primarily attributed to the wrong choices of food.
Preparing the right types of meals will require a bit of time and effort on your part, but the results will have a lasting affect on your physical body, as well as your entire well being. Stop the yo-yo dieting, hold off on purchasing diet pills and shakes, and follow these tips for how to eat clean to lose weight.
Drink lots of water.
As you work out, the body will use lots of its water to maintain your core body temperature through producing sweat, so make sure you replenish your body with water. Skip the sodas and juices high in processed sugars (HFCS) that create empty calories that turn into the type of fat that is hard to burn off and instead, add fresh fruit to your drinking water if you want a taste of flavor. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning will jump start your metabolism to help burn fat. Eight glasses a day or a half gallon should do the trick.
Eat lean protein.
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Protein is necessary to rebuild muscle once you’ve worked hard to tear them apart. Stay away from fried foods and eat baked or sauteed lean proteins like skinless chicken breasts, lean turkey or freshwater fish like tilapia. If you are a vegetarian, eating tofu or stocking up on lentils, chia seeds or quinoa are great substitutes for meat proteins.
Get your greens.
Combining leafy green veggies like broccoli, celery and other green vegetables provides your body with countless amounts of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber that helps to keep your colon flowing. Regular movements help to keep the stomach flat and the pH of the body in balance. Adding green tea to the mix also helps to pull off extra water weight that can cause bloating and a feeling of heaviness. Try a cup in the morning and one at night, but if you aren’t much of a tea drinker, green tea supplements work just as well.
Say no to carbs.
Breads and pastas make you feel full, but when working on shedding those extra pounds carbs are your worst enemy! Carbohydrates convert into sugar that turns into some of the most difficult fat to burn off. Substitute cereals with small amounts of granola or steel cut oats and leave the dinner rolls behind!
Beat the sweets.
The worst offenders on the journey to fitness are arguably those oh-so-delicious and delectable sweet things that we can’t resist! Candy, pastries and frozen sweet treats are all empty calories that can set you back days or even weeks in your progression towards being in the best shape of your life. Substitute these snacks with fresh melon, berries or granola with honey. Healthier substitutes for your favorite sugar rushes will leave your sweet tooth satisfied and your midsection will be, too.
