I know, I know … you see a billion articles with titles like this appear daily, right? You see banner ads all over the internet. You see spam in your inbox, you see it on TV, in magazines. There are so many proven ways to burn off the body fat. Thanks to our sedentary lifestyles and abundance of unhealthy food, many of us feel a need to shed some flab.
But see, that’s the thing, though. I’m not about to make a bunch of special recommendations, fringe concepts, or old-world remedies, none of that. I’m going to point out to you the myriad of common-sense things that, by virtue of science, work to help you burn body fat.
You don’t need some ridiculous diet, some obscure new exercise routine, some miracle supplement. You need common sense, balance, and the right lifestyle. That’s all there is to it. However, while I point out that this stuff is common sense, I don’t say that to call anyone out. Given all the contradictory claims across the world, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so these common-sense things can easily miss you, or seem like not enough in the face of grandiose claims.
To start with, let’s talk about why we gain weight in the first place.
Why the Flab?
Why do we gain weight? Well, fat is your body’s way of storing energy for later use. There was a time when we were hunter/gatherers and often had to survive lean times when weather or something else caused a famine.
Today, we live sedentarily, and we have an abundance of food – much of it not that healthy. So, we eat plenty but never burn the calories we take in, so our body stores it up because it doesn’t know what else to do with it.
Lots of Protein
What’s that? Protein? As in the thing mostly from meat, eggs, and dairy? Yep. Protein is actually good for you and isn’t a source of fat itself, but instead used to replace cells and grow muscle. Your body actually will dispense of protein; it just can’t process it as quickly.
However, eating plenty of protein will give you more endurance, it will help to grow your muscles, and it’ll make you fuller. You’re not taking on as many carbs, which can become fat.
Lots of Fiber
Are you used to eating big, filling meals? Well, you can satisfy that hunger by filling up on fiber. Bran flakes and whole-grain cereals are among the best. Beans are also excellent, as they’re loaded with protein and fiber. Leafy vegetables are another excellent source of fill-up fiber as well, and they also give you lots of electrolytes as a bonus.
Sleep Better
Sleep is important. Your body repairs itself and rebalances during sleep. If you’re not getting enough sleep (a common problem for working adults), you’re never at 100% in anything you do. Take more time to sleep well, and you’ll see your productivity increase all around.
Drink Healthy
Cut down on the soda and sweetened teas and the like. Drinking sugar is a lot of empty, refined carbohydrates that aren’t conducive (natural carbs are okay in moderation) to fat shedding. Drink lots of water, fruit juices, unsweetened tea, or coffee, which provide antioxidants and
improve workout performance.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is derived from fermented sugar, but in your body, part of it turns back into another type of bad sugar that quickly turns into fat. Alcohol also slows down your metabolism, it builds up toxins, and it stresses your organs as well. A glass of wine with dinner is actually alright, but aside from this, avoid drinking if you can, you’re just better off for it.
Train for Strength and Cardio
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Building muscle also causes body fat to metabolize faster. It also allows you to keep increasing your workout, which helps get you slim and keep you that way. So, strength training is a good idea all around. On top of this, cardio raises your body temperature and your metabolism. This burns calories and causes consumption of body fat as well.
Less Processed Food
Processed food isn’t toxic or a conspiracy to kill you. But none of this is good for you. Try to eat natural food, and prepare your meals as much from scratch as is practical for you. This is the most common-sense part of eating right – pure, natural food in balanced portions, not preservative-laden glop.
Watching Carbs
I said that carbs are not flat-out evil. They’re not. However, you need to be selective with your carbs, and not overdo it. Do not eat more carbs than you’re going to burn in a given amount of time, and be selective with them.
Complex, processed carbs are bad for you. These include bleached sugar, candy, baked goods. Avoid these when you can, instead opting for whole grains and fruits for your carbohydrate sources. Whole grain pasta is another great choice.
Adding Probiotics and Vinegar
Probiotics help your digestion and promote natural weight loss, and you can get these from delicious foods like healthier cheeses and yogurts. Vinegar is also an excellent source and can be found in hot sauces, pickles, and healthy vinaigrette dressing on a crisp, fresh salad. These add zest to your diet and help you lose that weight.
Don’t Starve
Finally, don’t starve yourself. Eat reasonably-balanced and portioned meals, and follow a rigorous workout with a healthy snack. Your body will hold onto weight if you don’t eat, making it harder to lose. Not to mention, it can be extremely dangerous. Make sure your body knows it’s not going to endure a famine, and it’ll relax a bit, and let you work it into shape.
Bottom Line
If you eat right, exercise often, and sleep properly, you will lose body fat. It’s how the body works, and all it takes is commitment and dedication. To learn how to stay on the healthy track, follow us on Facebook today.
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