I have a dream body, and many of you probably do as well. We’ve all seen the celebrities that Instagram boast about their perfect figure, and we’ve all looked at them as role models telling us that all we need to do to get there is to work out and eat healthy. While it’s true that taking care of your health is a key to getting into shape, you should not only be taking care of your health, but also your mind and your spirit.
The question is: Should you lose weight before gaining muscle? The answer is most definitely yes! You should lose as much weight as you can before you start exercising because the last thing you want is to be injured while trying to achieve a fit body. But to lose weight you need to be aware of how much you should be losing, and that’s where many people go wrong. We’re going to discuss five ways in which you can lose weight before you start exercising so that you can get the body you truly desire.
Eat Healthily
When you start a new fitness routine, the first thing you should do is cut out the foods that are harming you. That’s right – remove the foods that are contributing to your weight gain and replace them with foods that will help you lose weight. You should be aware of how much you’re eating, and what it is that you’re eating. If you’re not, then you won’t realize how much you need to reduce. Eat plenty of veggies, fruit, and lean meats, and cut out the processed foods as much as possible. You’ll start noticing the difference within a few days, and you’ll be ecstatic about how you feel.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol has a terrible reputation when it comes to weight loss. People who drink alcohol are often told to eliminate sweets and avoid fats, because alcohol is thought to be high in calories. That might be true, but the truth is that alcohol has a lot of benefits for your health. If you’re drinking alcohol regularly, then it’s probably time to reduce how much you’re drinking, especially if you want to lose weight. Some research suggests that alcohol can enhance your body’s natural energy level, resulting in increases in your metabolism. If you’re used to consuming alcohol on a regular basis, then it might be difficult to go without alcohol entirely for a while until your body gets used to the change. That’s why it’s important to reduce how much you’re drinking, even if it’s just a small amount at a time.
Consume More Water
Drinking lots of water can help you retain more fluid in your body, which in turn will help you weigh less. When you’re dehydrated, your body retains more fluid and the scale will probably start showing you that you’ve dropped a few pounds. The question is: How much water should you be drinking? The general rule of thumb is 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outside. So if you exercise for three hours, then you’ll need to drink 32 ounces of water, and so on. You might find it helpful to consult a doctor or nutritionist to get a recommendation for how much water you should be drinking.
Try An Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
Apple cider vinegar has been around for centuries, and it’s still being used today as a key everyday ingredient in many people’s diets. With all the hype surrounding apple cider vinegar, it’s no wonder people want to try it for weight loss. One of the primary reasons why apple cider vinegar supports weight loss is because of its high acidity. When ingested, the acidity of apple cider vinegar can trigger the release of insulin from the pancreas, which can in turn reduce your body’s absorption of glucose (sugar) and promote fat loss. If you’re looking for a new way to support your natural weight loss efforts, then try incorporating apple cider vinegar in to your diet.
Reduce Stressful Living
Stressful living is one of the major reasons why so many of us are struggling with our weight. It’s no secret that stress increases the desire to eat, resulting in weight gain. When you’re under a lot of stress, it might be difficult to eat healthily and exercise regularly, which results in more weight gaining. If you’re regularly stressed, then you might want to consider reducing how much stress you’re facing so that you can return to an healthier lifestyle. One way of reducing stress is by engaging in spiritual practices more often. Prayers, meditation, and yoga can help to reduce the stress you’re facing. If you want to try an alternative method to reduce stress, then incorporate the use of essential oils like lavender, which can help you to relax and reduce how long it takes you to get relaxed. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your stress levels, then try some of these suggestions out and see how much healthier and happier you can be!
Start Low, Go Slow
The only way to lose weight is by strictly following a diet and exercise plan. You can’t expect to lose meaningful amounts of weight if you don’t adhere to those plans – it doesn’t work that way. If you’re brand new to working out, then it might be a good idea to start with small weight loss goals, like getting into shape for the summer or wanting to lose a few pounds for your upcoming wedding. Setting these low weight loss goals will give you something to work toward, and you can gradually increase the intensity and frequency of your workouts as you get used to it.
Exercise Regularly
Keeping your body active is essential if you want to maintain a healthy weight. You don’t have to go overboard and do strength training every day, but you should be doing some type of workout at least three times a week. If you want to shed some extra pounds, then it’s a good idea to start small, and work your way up to more frequent and strenuous workouts as you get in shape. Research has shown that frequent and intense workouts can improve your metabolic rate, resulting in weight loss. So even if you don’t feel like you’re losing, it’s still beneficial to continue exercising regularly.
Some people think that if they follow all the “rules” pertaining to weight loss that they’ll lose all the weight that they want to lose. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to lose the right amount of weight and maintain a healthy body weight, you need to be following a structured and well-thought-out weight loss program, where all the foods you consume are considered and account for in order to achieve your target goals. Start small, and continue to build up your stamina and your strength as you move toward your goal weight.
There are so many different ways to lose weight, and it all depends on you and what you want to achieve. Some people want to lose a certain amount of weight in order to fit into a certain type of clothing style or for medical reasons, but you shouldn’t set yourself up for failure by cutting corners or going against the rules. Everyone has a different body type and a different set of health concerns, so it’s important to find what works best for you. You should also be aware of how much you’re eating, so you don’t end up consuming more than you need. Make a note of how you feel after each meal, and try to reduce the amount of food that you consume if you feel bloated or uncomfortable. Remember, the key to losing weight is moderation!