| Well it is that time of the year when | | | | |
| thoughts of bathing suits, sun tan lotion, | | | | To keep your cardio interesting try to mix it |
| and beach balls begin to strike fear in the | | | | up. Jog, bike, walk hills, swim, play tennis, |
| 63% of Americans that are overweight. With | | | | team sports... anything to keep your heart |
| that in mind I got together a group of my | | | | rate up for 45 to 60 minutes three times a |
| colleagues...a virtual think tank of fitness | | | | week. |
| professionals...with over 50 years of | | | | |
| experience helping even the self proclaimed | | | | 5. Do not Drink Sugar |
| hopeless people drop weight and keep it off. | | | | |
| | | | I am not going to make this an endorsement |
| We compiled a list of ten things you can | | | | for Diet Coke or Pepsi. The jury is still out |
| change starting today to begin your weight | | | | on whether these can be considered weight |
| loss process and keep those pounds off | | | | loss drinks but one thing is certain; sugar |
| permanently. So grab a bowl of cottage | | | | is your enemy. It must be defeated on every |
| cheese, sit back, and take a few minutes to | | | | front including your daily mocha latte and |
| read this list of simple weight loss tactics; | | | | your late night red bull pick me up. You do |
| but remember real weight loss does not happen | | | | not need the calories. Look for sugar free |
| overnight so get to work on your summer body | | | | versions of the things you drink daily and |
| early and be ready to stick it out for at | | | | watch the calories you save pile up. |
| least 8 - 12 weeks. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Bake Do Not Fry |
| 1. Drink Water | | | | |
| | | | Baking is a great alternative to frying your |
| Universal agreement among dietitians, | | | | food. It keeps the fat content down and your |
| nutritional consultants, coaches, life | | | | arteries will thank you for it later in life. |
| coaches, personal trainers, and mystic gurus | | | | |
| put this simple recommendation at the top of | | | | 7. Lean Protein (Not any Protein) |
| our list. Close your eyes and imprint these | | | | |
| two words in your mind. Put down that 4th cup | | | | Bacon is not a health food. Ok I will admit |
| of coffee and go pour yourself a glass of | | | | it, things taste better with bacon in it... |
| water (don't worry we'll be here when you get | | | | but we are talking weight loss here and, like |
| back). Studies support 8 glasses of water per | | | | me, you should substitute lean meats for |
| day to promote weight loss. | | | | fatty meats. Skin your chicken, cut excess |
| | | | fat off all meat and increase your |
| 2. Load your body | | | | consumption of turkey, chicken and fish. Your |
| | | | body will thank you. |
| Cardio is great, but remember it is only one | | | | |
| piece of your fitness program. A complete | | | | 8. Join a fitness center |
| weight loss program will incorporate strength | | | | |
| and core training on a weekly basis. Be sure | | | | If you have a hard time scheduling time to |
| to load your body using dumbbells, medicine | | | | run by yourself or train at home try joining |
| balls, resistance bands, barbells, or your | | | | a gym. Fitness classes are a great way to get |
| own body weight. | | | | fit while having fun and if you have a budget |
| | | | to support it, hiring a personal trainer is |
| 3. Eat Frequently | | | | an excellent way to guide yourself through |
| | | | this effort. |
| It's a fact. You can eat yourself thin. Yet | | | | |
| many health and fitness professionals feel | | | | Above all, remember these are life-changing |
| like a broken record saying this over and | | | | tips not a fad diet endorsement. Do not |
| over again to skeptical clients that cannot | | | | expect to lose 10 pounds in one week. One to |
| understand how eating more frequently will | | | | three pounds per week is an excellent pace |
| help them lose weight. Breakfast is essential | | | | for permanent weight loss. So kiss those |
| to weight loss, but it is just the beginning. | | | | fears of the beach goodbye, squeeze into your |
| Eating smaller meals more frequently will | | | | newest two-piece bikini and get ready for a |
| keep your metabolism purring throughout the | | | | great summer beach season. |
| day. | | | | |
| | | | (Overweight = A Body Mass Index (BMI) in |
| 4. Vary your cardio program | | | | excess of 25. |