In order for those abs to show, remember these helpful principles:
•Eat six times a day in order to avoid energy imbalances. Aim for smaller, healthy meals every 2-3 hours of about 200-300 calories each that incorporate protein, carbs and healthy fats.
•Drink more smoothies! Smoothies made of low fat milk, yogurt, ice and a variety of fruits, can act as great meal replacements throughout your day. Their thick texture will help keep you full, and they’re great as a healthy breakfast or to blend up before or after your workout.
•Start a food/ exercise diary. By writing down everything you eat, the time of day you eat , and how much energy you had after you eat, serves as a very useful reference as you try to gain muscle mass and lose fat. After using a food diary regularly, it shouldn’t take you long to realize how your body reacts to certain foods and what makes you feel your best during and after your workouts.
•Watch what you drink. We all know getting your daily water consumption is extremely important in your healthy weight efforts. Staying hydrated will help you push yourself through your workouts and allow you to feel better every day. Water also helps us banish feelings of hunger, (which is really just thirst a lot of the time), and helps us feel full. Alcohol, (for those of us that are old enough to drink the stuff), is another story.
Alcohol slows the rate at which our bodies burn fat, and actually encourages our bodies to store more. If you absolutely cannot be without your nightly glass of Chardonnay, limit your intake to 2-3 glasses a week, and definitely avoid the weekend binge drinking!
•Allow for some cheat meals. Of course, nobody’s perfect. If you limit yourself too much to eating only healthy foods every single day, you will get bored and frustrated, and eventually end up eating the entire food tray at your best friend’s wedding. When a craving arises, allow yourself some M&M’s, or a slice of pizza you’ve been eyeing all week. Just watch your portion sizes and remember: everything in moderation!
•Eat six times a day in order to avoid energy imbalances. Aim for smaller, healthy meals every 2-3 hours of about 200-300 calories each that incorporate protein, carbs and healthy fats.
•Drink more smoothies! Smoothies made of low fat milk, yogurt, ice and a variety of fruits, can act as great meal replacements throughout your day. Their thick texture will help keep you full, and they’re great as a healthy breakfast or to blend up before or after your workout.
•Start a food/ exercise diary. By writing down everything you eat, the time of day you eat , and how much energy you had after you eat, serves as a very useful reference as you try to gain muscle mass and lose fat. After using a food diary regularly, it shouldn’t take you long to realize how your body reacts to certain foods and what makes you feel your best during and after your workouts.
•Watch what you drink. We all know getting your daily water consumption is extremely important in your healthy weight efforts. Staying hydrated will help you push yourself through your workouts and allow you to feel better every day. Water also helps us banish feelings of hunger, (which is really just thirst a lot of the time), and helps us feel full. Alcohol, (for those of us that are old enough to drink the stuff), is another story.
Alcohol slows the rate at which our bodies burn fat, and actually encourages our bodies to store more. If you absolutely cannot be without your nightly glass of Chardonnay, limit your intake to 2-3 glasses a week, and definitely avoid the weekend binge drinking!
•Allow for some cheat meals. Of course, nobody’s perfect. If you limit yourself too much to eating only healthy foods every single day, you will get bored and frustrated, and eventually end up eating the entire food tray at your best friend’s wedding. When a craving arises, allow yourself some M&M’s, or a slice of pizza you’ve been eyeing all week. Just watch your portion sizes and remember: everything in moderation!
No comments:
Post a Comment