Many of us were really hoping that the first week of 2020 would be our lucky charm and we would finally shed off the extra pounds from the previous year. Unfortunately, that was not to be as we’ve all been struggling with stubborn weight issues ever since. In fact, the scales haven’t moved an inch since the beginning of the year despite all of our best intentions.
Whether you’ve been sticking to the same old diet and workout routine or you’ve been trying out new fad diets and gym memberships, none of it seems to be working. You’re at your wit’s end and you’re feeling really down about yourself because you know there’s no easy way to lose weight. Maybe you’ve even tried to commit suicide because of the way you feel about your body. That’s the reality for a lot of us at the moment.
Don’t worry though, we’re all in the same boat. That’s why I’ve decided to put together this article series to help you navigate your way through this rough patch. I’ll be discussing various aspects of nutrition and fitness, hoping that one (or more) of them will help you to rediscover your joy for living and your desire to lose weight. Let’s get started.
What’s The Biggest Myth About Losing Weight?
One of the biggest weight loss myths is that you have to deprive yourself of food. Many of us have been led to believe that keeping a food diary and eating only salads and juices will help us slim down. This is an obvious misconception as you cannot lose weight if you go on a diet that consists mostly of salads and juices. This will never do any good. Instead of depriving yourself of food, try to incorporate more veggies and fruits into your diet. There are so many health advantages to this that it’s not even funny. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Obesity Is On The Rise. Kids Aren’t Standing Still For This.
According to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people around the world are categorized as obese. That’s nearly one-third of the population. It goes without saying that this is a massive number and it’s definitely not good. There’s no question that obesity is on the rise and it’s not something that’s reserved for adults. Even kids are getting in on the act and it’s something that needs to be addressed.
It’s not just a matter of eating food and drinking water. The issue here is that while food is important, it’s not the whole answer to gaining weight loss. You have to look at the calories that you consume and the amount of physical activity that you do on a daily basis. Sadly, a lot of us are not active and as a result, we consume way too many calories. This leads to major problems like diabetes and also heart disease. You’re bound to develop at least one of these issues if you continue down this path. It’s not fair to blame food alone for our unhealthy weights. There are lots of other factors that contribute to weight gain and it’s about time that we started paying more attention to these factors rather than the pounds that we can’t seem to shift.
Your Body Needs Nutrition To Function Properly.
It’s a well-known fact that our bodies need nutrients to function properly. The human body does not produce these nutrients on its own. This is why you have to include some kind of nutrition in your eating plan if you want to lose weight. There are plenty of food sources that provide essential nutrients to the body. You just have to know where to look. You shouldn’t be limited to a diet that consists of salads and juices because you’ll never reach your full potential if you do that. Get creative and try out new foods that you’ve never eaten before because there’s a good chance that they’ll help you to shed some pounds. Your body needs all the nutrition that it can get and it doesn’t care what type of food it gets. It just wants to be fed. The important thing is that you feed it the right nutrition.
Avoid All Processed Food.
It’s been scientifically proven that food that’s been loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients isn’t good for your body. There’s a reason why these foods are popular as quick fixes for weight loss. People want to lose weight and they don’t have the time to prepare nutritious meals. This is why they turn to foods with high glycemic indexes. The faster your blood sugar increases after eating a certain food, the more calories you’ll burn. These foods are frequently high in fats and sugars and they give you a short-lived energy boost. If you want to lose weight, it’s best to avoid foods with high glycemic indexes. The bottom line is that your body doesn’t need foods with high glycemic indexes. It needs foods that are good for your health. You’ll be surprised at how many foods fit into this category. Have you ever heard of lentils? They’re one of my favorite foods and I frequently include them in my diet. You may not have thought of them as healthy foods but they rapidly become staples in my kitchen as I begin to understand their benefits.
Eat Plants.
It’s a well-established fact that our bodies can only function properly when they’re supplied with nutrients. This is why it’s important to eat food that provides your bodies with nutrients. There are actually a lot of vegetables and fruits out there that provide your body with nutrients. These are the kinds of foods that you should be consuming on a regular basis if you want to lose weight. You don’t need to stop eating meat or dairy completely (unless you’re allergic to them), you just need to switch to a plant-based diet. It’s not easy to change your diet completely and it takes some time to adjust your taste buds but you’ll be glad that you did. You’ll start to see clear results within a few weeks. Just remember to drink plenty of water and make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. This will help you to adjust to the new lifestyle that you’re living. It’s not easy but it’s certainly worth it.
The Most Important Nutrients For Losing Weight.
There are a few nutrients that are vital for losing weight. Vitamin A is one of them. It’s important for the healthy function of your immune system and it has also been shown to regulate the appetite. The team at Harvard Medical School looked into this further and found that people who were deficient in vitamin A were more likely to have higher body mass indexes. This makes sense as it would be difficult to control your appetite if you’re lacking in this vital nutrient. You need enough vitamin A to maintain good eyesight as well. Vitamin C is also important for the synthesis of collagen. This helps to keep your skin looking young and healthy. Vitamin E is vital for the reproduction and healthy function of your fat cells. It also helps to maintain healthy blood circulation and normal body function. If you want to lose weight, focus on getting your daily essentials (ie. vitamin C, E and A) and make sure that you’re getting plenty of sleep. This will help to regulate your appetite and assist you in getting into the right caloric balance. Avoid foods with added sugar and you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle in no time.