We are all looking for the holy grail when it comes to weight loss, something that can magically shed our pounds without any effort on our end. While there are some products out there which can help you do so, ultimately it is going to come down to what type of diet you’re on, and what type of supplements you’re using to help you along the way.
As far as weight loss goes, the journey can be different from person to person, but ultimately there are a few proven pathways to success. Most people who want to lose weight whether it is 5 lbs or 50 lbs, have tried and failed at dieting. While there are going to be some snags along the way, there are some proven methods which can help you drop those pounds fast, with a few tweaks to your daily lifestyle.
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Cut Down on Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates themselves aren’t necessarily bad as far as putting on weight goes, however the types of carbohydrate foods we do eat are extremely detrimental here. This is because many of the foods we eat are loaded with simple sugar and carbohydrates, while being devoid of fiber.
Consuming foods which are rich in carbohydrates or sugars while being low in fiber is a great way to influence insulin resistance and to reduce our metabolism. These foods are quickly digested and synthesized by the body which is a quick path to type II diabetes.
Instead of eating these foods which are going to make you fat and kill your metabolism, stick to whole foods instead. Whole grains are going to provide you with a similar amount of energy as these other products however they contain fiber and other nutrients which slow down the digestive process. This means blood sugar spikes and more energy throughout the day – both of which will keep the weight off.
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Eat More Nutrient Dense Foods
Another huge problem many of us have when it comes to losing weight is that we are nutrient deficient in many aspects. A nutrient deficiency is going to cause the body to crave more food, even in cases where we are eating an adequate amount of calories.
While having enough energy is important to the functioning of the body, a lack of calories isn’t the only reason why we crave food. This is why protein is so good at satiating our hunger, as this is one macronutrient the body craves through hunger.
Eating more nutrient dense foods is the key here, as not only do these foods have more of the vital minerals and vitamins we need, but fiber as well. Seeds, nuts, grass fed meat and other nutrient dense foods tend to be relatively high in fiber and protein as well, which really keeps the hunger at bay.
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Exercise Quality over Quantity
As far as our workouts are concerned, many of them aren’t up to par when it comes to their fat burning potential. One problem here that many people have is that they are under the false impression that the time they invest in the gym will directly translate to results.
Ultimately, it comes down to the amount of effort you are putting in, and not how much time you spend at the gym. If your workouts are hindering your weight loss, then it is in your best interest to switch things up a bit.
Burst training, HIIT or other varieties which revolve around high intensity exercise with short period of rest is a program you should consider. In this way you are making the best use of your time in maximizing your fat burning potential.
These types of exercises don’t require a huge investment of your time as in the case of other routines, and the after burn effect just can’t be matched. This workout has an impact on your metabolism that lasts all day, and when done consistently greatly improves the rate at which you will lose weight.
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Protein Supplements
Arguably the biggest nutritional deficiency that most adults have is a lack of protein. This problem becomes even more significant in the case of athletes or those of us who exercise regularly, as more often than not we do not make adequate changes to our diet to accommodate this increased need of protein.
The amount of protein someone needs can vary greatly which is dependent on many factors such as activity level, age, sex, and bodyweight. These recommended values vary depending on what source you go to as well, but most experts recommend that we should be consuming at least 0.75 grams of protein per pound of body weight a day. This number is much higher than what most people are getting, and protein supplements are a great way to make up this difference.
Powdered protein supplements are a convenient way to get some extra protein in your diet, however all products are not created equal. When choosing a powdered protein supplement not only do you have to look at the differences in the nutritional information, but you have to consider their source as well. Many of these products are tainted with contamination from heavy metals, so make sure to do your due diligence in researching these products before going out to purchase one of them.