Lose Weight and Keep it Off

There’s a misconception that when you want to lose weight you need to cut out fat. And then there are weight loss diets that tell you to cut out all carbs. I never recommend these types of diets. Let me make it clear that there is a big difference between low-carb diets and no-carb diets when it comes to weight loss. Low-carb diets make you think about what you’re putting in your mouth. They encourage you to focus on healthier carbs that won’t lead to high blood sugar levels and energy crashes afterwards. And the no-fat diets? Well you can’t cut out all fats—and you really shouldn’t. Yes, your body needs some fat. No sure about this? Really don’t think your weight loss diet needs carbs and fats? Well let’s look at what they do. Carbs give you energy: while protein is good for energy levels, carbohydrates are better. They metabolize a little quicker. Carbs are actually the main energy source for your body. Carbs help the digestive system: you know fiber is import...

I came across this question recently. My husband uses protein powder after exercise to help him repair his muscles. While they’re mainly used by men, there are also some women who use them. But do you really need protein powders to lose weight? Can they help or will they just make it harder to shed the pounds? Your body needs protein Let me start by saying that our bodies need protein. I’ll get into that in more detail later this week, but cutting protein out of our diets is bad. The protein helps with the building of muscle and aids with losing weight because it fills us up for longer. You can get protein from all sorts of foods. There’s no need to use protein powders really, but they can help to increase the amount you get if you don’t eat the right type of foods. There are vegetarians and vegans who can struggle to get enough protein. Those who workout a lot may find they need extra protein to help their muscles repair. Protein powders can help you lose weight...

I received a message yesterday from someone looking for some weight loss support. She mentioned that she was eating lots of fruit and vegetables but still not losing weight. Okay, well, eating fruit and vegetables isn’t enough to lose weight. Yes, really! While eating fruit and vegetables can help—it certainly gets you your nutrients—it isn’t going to give you everything your body needs. In fact, too many fruit and vegetables can lead to weight gain. And you need to look at all the other stuff you’re eating! Be honest with yourself. So, let’s look at this in stages… Eating too much of a good thing is bad Yes, you really can eat too much of a good thing. Want to know why? Because you run the risk of not getting a balanced diet. While you get your fibre and nutrients from fruit and vegetables, you need to get carbohydrates, protein, and some fats. Yes, your body needs fat! By the way, fruit is full of natural sugar. While it’s not as bad for you as...

I mentioned yesterday on the 100 Day Challenge that Wednesday was going to be busy. I expected to eat the majority of my weekly pro points that I had left. In the end, I only went into a small amount of them. The whole way I did that was by staying in control and making good choices . That’s an important part of losing weight. Yes, I could have stuffed my face with chocolate because there were periods when I really wanted to, but I didn’t. I didn’t deprive myself either. When I wanted chocolate, I told myself that I would get it later (knowing that I’d have some later anyway).  It doesn’t have to be boring making good choices. Rather than having a bit of chocolate at the end of the night, I shared a punnet of strawberries with my husband and daughter. They gave me the sweet kick that I needed to finish off the day. They were juicier and more delicious than a bar of chocolate, too. While doing all that, I’m also drinking more water. I’ve even decided to start my day...

You’re eating healthily and doing exercise, but you’re still not losing weight. What’s the problem? There are a few reasons why you still may not be losing weight. Before we get into them, it’s important to tell you not to be discouraged. We’ve all been there. It’s normal to be frustrated, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your diet plan isn’t working. Here are a few things you need to consider: You’re Eating Too Much Just because you’re eating healthily doesn’t mean you’re not eating too much. You can still overeat on fruit, salads and everything else you think is “low fat.” Remember you need to create a calorie deficit. All foods have calories; some fewer than others. You also need to think about the natural sugars in things. If you’re eating five packets of grapes a week (yes, people do it!), you’re not getting the balanced diet and you’re eating way more than your body needs. It’s important to instil some portion control, and stop thinking about foods a...

It's time to succeed with your weight loss even over the holidays Easter is just around the corner. You’ve probably already seen all the chocolate eggs, Lindt bunnies and chocolate treats. It can be such a hard time of year for those wanting to lose weight. It’s time lose weight this Easter, and you will with these four tips. This first one is my most favorite of all. Split It Up Into Portions Start by opening all the chocolate eggs, treats and everything you’re given and split them up into allowed portion sizes. You’ll need a few sandwiches bags for this, and it can be tempting to start with but you’ll love it when you know you have ready to grab portion sizes of treats. But how do you handle it when it’s all broken up? Put it all in the freezer! Not only is the chocolate out of sight, but it will make it last longer when it comes to eating. Save Chocolate for Dessert Only Make a rule that the chocolate you do have is for dessert only. When it com...