Sunday 31 March 2013

How to Lose Fat Fast

You can lose fat fast and forever without waking up at 5am to run on an empty stomach, without exercising 6x/week, without feeling hungry all the time or cutting your favorite foods forever and without expensive supplements.
You only need 3 things to lose fat: strength training, healthy nutrition & cardio. This post will give you a simple, efficient fat loss plan; so you can get your body fat to dream numbers while still have a life & eat normally.

You'll get best results doing a free weight routine of compound exercises like Squats & Deadlifts. It only takes 3x45mins/week.


Get Stronger. Strength training increases cardiovascular fitness, strengthens joints &   bones, builds  muscle and improves fat loss.  
Maintain Muscle. More strength is more muscle. Strength training builds muscle and prevents muscle loss so you don't get skinny + fat.
Burn Fat. Strength training prevents your metabolic rate from going down when dieting. This means more fat loss.
Stick to Diet. Exercising positively influences your eating habits. You'll stick to your diet better if you do strength training, losing more fat.


Eat Healthy. Eat whole unprocessed food, 90% of the time. Whole foods come as close as possible to their natural state: without added sugars, fats, sauces, ... Buy raw foods and cook them yourself.
  • Protein. Necessary to build & maintain muscle so you don't get skinny + fat. Protein also satiates and has the highest thermic effect. Eat a whole protein source with each meal: beef, poultry, fish, dairy, whey etc
  • Veggies & Fruits. Fill your stomach, but usually low in calorie. Also high in fiber, water, vitamins & minerals. Eat veggies & fruits with each meal: spinach, broccoli, kale, asparagus, apples, oranges, etc.
  • Healthy Fats. Fat doesn't make you fat, bad nutrition & lack of exercise do. Healthy fats help fat loss: they satiate and slow down digestion. Eat healthy fats with each meal: fish oil, olive oil, mixed nuts.
  • Water. Thirst can make you think you're hungry. Avoid soda, alcohol and fruit juice. Drink 2 cups water with each meal and sip water during your workout. Green tea and water with squeezed lemon are OK too.

Eat Grains Post Workout Only.
Grains like pasta or rice are very caloric dense: 100g blank pasta has over 350kcal while 100g broccoli has only 35kcal. Limit your intake of grains to post workout only to automatically reduce your caloric intake.
  • Eat Less Starches. Eat proteins, veggies, fruits & healthy fats with each meal. Carbs from veggies & fruits are OK, this isn't a zero carb fat loss diet. Don't eat starchy carbs except post workout.
  • No Workout = No Carbs. If you do strength training 3x per week, you can eat starchy carbs 3x per week post workout. Eat proteins, veggies, fruits & healthy fats with all other meals.
  • Eat Whole Carbs Only. Whole carbs promote fat loss and take longer to digest. Avoid white carbs. Eat whole carbs only: brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, oats, quinoa, ...

Eat More
. Frequent meals prevent hunger by keeping your blood sugar stable. Frequent smaller meals also decrease your stomach size over time, which means you'll feel full sooner. Eat every 3 hours.
  • Eat Breakfast. Build the habit of eating breakfast and try one of these breakfast recipies. Cook your food for the day while making breakfast.
  • Eat Post Workout. The only meal where you can have carbs to replenish energy stores. Whole meal of protein & carbs or post workout shake.
  • Eat Every 3 hours. 6 smaller meals per day instead of 3 large ones. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, pre-bed and 2 snacks.

Add Cardio.
Excess cardio burns muscle instead of fat, causing the skinny + fat look. Never do cardio only. Add cardio to speed up the fat loss you get from strength training & healthy nutrition.
  • Moderate Intensity. 60-70% of your max heart rate. Breathing heavier than at rest, not gasping. Your goal is fat loss, not exhaustion.
  • 3x45mins. Start with 15mins cardio post strength training 3x per week. Build up to 3x45mins per week by adding 1min each workout.
  • Elliptical Trainer. Aka the crosstrainer. There are many cardio machines you can choose from, but this one remains my favorite.


Fat Loss Strategies.
Now that you know what to do, you need to make it as easy as possible to apply the above fat loss tips. Follow the next 8 strategies, even if they sound counter-intuitive to you.
  • Buy Healthy Foods Only. Enough for your whole week so you can stick to your fat loss plan. Don't buy junk food - avoid temptations.
  • Prepare Food in Advance. Cook your food for the day on waking up or when you get back from work. This takes about 1 hour.
  • Make Double Portions. Speeds up preparation. Prepare 12oz chicken and eat half at lunch and half at dinner.
  • Eat The Same Every Day. Removing choice kills cravings and makes you see food for what it is: fuel for your body. Switch it up every 3 weeks.
  • Eat at Fixed Times. Don't wait until you're hungry or feel like eating. Eat every 3 hours. Build consistency.
  • Take Food with You. Take food to work, to school, to the movies, etc. This ensures you're eating foods that will make you lose fat.
  • Eat Before Going Out. Avoid ending up eating junk food because you're hungry. Eat before you leave home and take food with you.
  • Eat Junk Food 10% of The Time. You can eat 4 junk meals/week if you eat 6x/day. This actually helps fat loss. Eat out so you can't overdo it.
  • Track Progress for Motivation. Pictures, body fat, measurements and strength gains. Aim for 2-3% fat loss/month (use a fat caliper).

Example Fat Loss Diets.
To lose fat: proteins, veggies, fruits and healthy fats with each meal. Carbs post workout only. Example fat loss diet:
  • Breakfast: eggs with tomato & bell peppers, orange, green tea
  • Snack: cottage cheese with apple
  • Lunch: chicken, bok choy, tomato, chicory, olive oil
  • Snack: mixed nuts
  • Post workout: ground round, brown rice, mixed veggies, banana
  • Dinner: chicken, spinach, baby carrots, pear
  • Pre-bed snack: cottage cheese, berries, ground flax seeds, fish oil
Don't waste your time counting calories: you won't get fat eating unprocessed foods. Just eat your stomach full and prepare your own food so you have total control over the ingredients. Aim for 2-3% fat loss per month.

http://stronglifts.com/


Saturday 16 March 2013

Dr. Oz's 100 Weight Loss Tips

Dr. Oz's 100 Weight Loss Tips



  1. Automate your eating by planning your meals ahead of time. That way you're less likely to make an unhealthy last-minute food choice.
  2. Oats are your friends! Eating a cup of oatmeal in the morning will prevent you from gorging in the afternoon.
  3. Foods with healthy fats such as olives, salmon and walnuts help you feel satisfied.
  4. Skipping meals can cause your body to go into a fat-storing starvation mode, making it harder to burn calories.
  5. Got nuts with nuts. Eating a handful of nuts will help you stay full. Try soaking them in water for a different texture.
  6. Use meditation to help you cope with chronic stress, which can lead you to crave feel-good carbs.
  7. You may be used to fried foods but there are other, sometimes healthier, ways to cook including: roasting, steaming, poaching, baking, braising and broiling.
  8. Do your grocery shopping with a list and a time limit; that way, you're less likely to stray into the processed foods section.
  9. Don't confuse thirst with hunger. Drink a glass of water when you feel hungry to see if that's what you're really craving.
  10. When out at a restaurant, ask the server to hold the bread, snack mix or chips and salsa that might come before the meal. If you're hungry, you'll be tempted.
  11. Tired of eating your salad on a plate? Fill a whole wheat pita with salad and a splash of lemon for a twist.
  12. You might do better to replace an occasional dinner with a nice roll in the hay. Healthy sex may help control the amount of food you eat and it's great exercise.
  13. Create emergency packs filled with healthy foods such as nuts, fruits or sliced vegetables to help you avoid unhealthy temptations.
  14. Add red pepper flakes to your pantry. When eaten early in the day, red pepper lowers the amount of food you'll eat later.
  15. Odds are you're eating too fast. Try holding a conversation while having a meal so you're not gulping down more than you need to feel full.
  16. Take a brisk walk before lunch or dinner. Not only will you get in some exercise, you're less likely to choose something unhealthy after a little movement.
  17. Looking for the benefits of salmon but you don't feel comfortable cooking fish? Try canned salmon as a simple and affordable alternative.
  18. Are your dishes too big? A healthy dinner should fit on a 9-inch plate. You may find that kid-sized plates are more appropriately sized to feed an adult!
  19. Never eat any snack food out of the box, carton or bag it came in. You're less likely to overeat if you separate snacks into appropriate fist-sized servings.
  20. Boost your metabolism with some green tea or chili peppers.
  21. Get your Zzzzzs. Sleep deprivation alters levels of hormones in the body that regulate hunger, causing an increase in appetite.
  22. Muscle burns at least four times as many calories as fat does, so try twenty minutes of strength straining two to three times a week.
  23. Decaf coffee is a great low-calorie fluid when you're having cravings (and a great source of antioxidants).
  24. Eating liquid-based foods such as natural smoothies and low-sodium soup can help you cut back on calories yet feel full.
  25. A pedometer can help keep track of your steps. If you're not getting 10,000 steps a day, you're not moving enough.
  26. Natural applesauce is an excellent dip for fruits such as bananas and melons.
  27. Take every opportunity to move around, even in small ways. Studies show fidgety people tend to be skinnier.
  28. Identify the emotional triggers that lead you to seek unhealthy comfort food. Picture your goal weight the next time a trigger strikes to help you resist temptation.
  29. Use a vegetable bean dip such as hummus instead of ranch dressing or a fatty cream-based dip.
  30. People who regularly weigh themselves and keep track of their progress in a journal are more likely to lose weight.
  31. Use a dash of cinnamon to give fruits such as bananas and melons a richer dessert feel without the sugar.
  32. Give your protein extra low-calorie flavor by adding a salsa or chutney instead of a gooey cream sauce.
  33. Distracted dining will get you in trouble. Avoid eating in front of a television or in a movie theater, as you're bound to consume more calories.
  34. Pass on pop. You'll be amazed by how much weight you drop by simply switching to water.
  35. Beware of "fat-free" or "zero trans fats" foods as you could be trading fats for huge amounts of sugar or sodium.
  36. Try drinking skim milk at breakfast instead of juice. Overweight people who drank skim milk for breakfast ate fewer calories
  37. Sugarless chewing gum can suppress your appetite in a pinch.
  38. Snack attack! Puree peaches, berries or pears for a sweet spread to go on pita chips.
  39. If you're having trouble getting started, make a small move such as starting an eating log or buying walking shoes. You're three times more likely to follow through if you start with small gestures such as these.
  40. Always have vegetables on hand. Saute a big bag of frozen mixed vegetables in olive oil and garlic. Add some red pepper or turmeric for additional flavor and separate into portion-sized containers for the fridge.
  41. Edamame (soy beans) are a great low-cost snack. Look for them in the frozen foods section.
  42. Soups can be both filling and comforting. Try making a garden or bean soup with low-salt broth and store in portion-sized cups for later.
  43. Save time and money during the week by buying lean protein such as chicken breasts in bulk and cooking a week's worth on Sunday night.
  44. Save the kitchen and the dining room table for cooking and eating. Try not to use it as a place to do work or other activities, or you may be tempted to eat more.
  45. If food was your only source of pleasure, make sure to reconnect with other things you enjoy -- music, sports, volunteer work or movies, for example.
  46. Try to have a little lean protein with each meal, as protein tends to be more satisfying than carbs or fats.
  47. Think ahead to how you'll eat and exercise on the weekends. It's easy to get too relaxed on Saturdays and Sundays, but healthy living is a 7-day-a-week endeavor.
  48. Dump the junk food. If you want to avoid temptation, make sure you clean out the fridge and the pantry
  49. When you eat calorie-friendly fruits and vegetables that are in season, they tend to taste better and you're more likely to enjoy them.
  50. People who eat breakfast have a better shot at losing and maintaining weight loss.
  51. Replace your scale with a tape measure. Aim for 32 1/2 inches or less for women and 35 inches or less for men.
  52. Make sure you check food labels and avoid anything with more than 4 grams of sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, per serving.
  53. Eat a fiber-filled apple before a meal to help you feel full faster.
  54. Opt for peanut butter or almond butter spreads instead of cream cheese or butter.
  55. Remember these five essential smoothie ingredients: frozen berries, a banana, skim milk, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of psyllium seed husks.
  56. Researchers found that dieters who ate eggs in the morning were less hungry than those who ate carb-heavy meals.
  57. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon may dial up your body's ability to burn fat, especially if you add some exercise.
  58. A Mediterranean diet not only comes with heart benefits, studies show it leads to more weight loss than low-fat diets.
  59. Replace your regular pasta noodles with whole wheat pasta for a more filling meal.
  60. When eating out, ask your server to point out the healthiest options on the menu.
  61. You don't have to make a three-digit number your weight loss goal. Aim for a certain dress size or waist measurement.
  62. Go lean with bean protein. Beans are an affordable and healthy alternative to meats and are wonderfully filling.
  63. Energize plain-tasting proteins such as eggs or chicken with metabolism-boosting chili pepper sauce.
  64. Try a plain Greek yogurt with frozen berries for a pre-workout boost.
  65. Turn dinner into a healthy lunch the next day by wrapping your lean leftovers in a whole wheat wrap. Add a little Dijon mustard or curry powder for added flavor.
  66. Eat a rainbow of colors. Have at least one brightly colored fruit or vegetable in each meal, and, if appropriate, eat the skins -- that's where you'll find a powerhouse of antioxidants.
  67. Make an office snack box of your own so you're not tempted by your colleague's candy bowl. Fill it with small individually packaged portions of soy chips, almonds and dried fruit.
  68. For a thicker, creamier texture, choose low-fat, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Loaded with protein, calcium and natural probiotics, it makes for a tasty snack any time.
  69. If you're 'cooking' food in the microwave, chances are you're eating unhealthy packaged foods. If you must microwave, consider soy chicken patties, veggie burgers or steamer vegetables and brown rice.
  70. Make your wardrobe match your goals. As you lose weight donate the clothes that no longer fit you as an incentive to stay on track.
  71. Pick up a 5- or 10-pound weight at the gym and visualize that weight coming off. Holding the weight in your hands helps bring home just how heavy even 5 pounds of extra fat can be.
  72. If you find yourself at a weight loss plateau, up the duration of your exercise routine by five minutes.
  73. Pounding out your meat will help healthier portions go a longer way visually, and it's good stress relief.
  74. Silken tofu makes a wonderful replacement for cream in some recipes.
  75. Save 85 calories just by swapping mustard for mayonnaise in a sandwich.
  76. Do your best to ensure you're not eating after 7 o'clock at night. You're more likely to make unhealthy choices and less likely to sleep as well after a late meal.
  77. Try a pasta-less spaghetti by mixing shredded zucchini, veggie meatballs and raw tomato sauce seasoned with a dash of zesty oregano.
  78. Fresh herbs can really zing up a healthy meal. Try growing some in the kitchen using a strawberry pot. Preserve the flavor by adding fresh herbs at the end of the cooking process
  79. Fast food is salty food. If you cut back on the salt, in a few weeks you'll be able to better taste the natural salts in food and may not crave the junk as much as you used to.
  80. The rub on ground turkey is that it's dry. Add some olive oil and finely blended onions to a turkey burger or turkey meatball to enhance its juiciness.
  81. If you're trying to lose weight with your significant other, pack each other's lunches. The lunchbox surprises will keep the both of you motivated.
  82. If you're eating out, make salad the appetizer. Most starters are fried and come with unhealthy dips or sauces.
  83. Savory 'umami' ingredients such as mushrooms, low-sodium soy, asparagus and olives can help you feel full and add an earthy, home-y quality to your healthy-dishes.
  84. Make it a point to use the steps whenever possible. Use the bathroom on a different floor at work, take the stairs at the bus station, the airport or the mall.
  85. Try baking apple slices as a healthy alternative to potato chips.
  86. Eating water-rich foods such as melons, tomatoes and celery can help fill you up without adding too many calories to your day.
  87. Avocados can be your secret weight loss partners. They're high in fiber and healthy fats, giving you a meaty-tasting meat alternative.
  88. A handful of unsalted pumpkin seeds make for a healthy mid-day snack. They're rich in magnesium, which helps lower blood pressure.
  89. Keeping good posture will not only strengthen your core, but will also add a small extra-calorie burn, because you're working slightly harder to maintain the position.
  90. Cravings can sneak up on you when you're tired. Try taking a nap if you feel yourself wanting some junk food.
  91. Share your weight loss goals with your friends and family. Make it a positive life change and ask for their encouragement.
  92. Take a photo of yourself each week so you can see your physical transformation.
  93. Store-bought salad dressings can be packed with calories. Make your own vinaigrette and store it in a small spray bottle to coat your greens without over-dressing them.
  94. Yoga may be relaxing but you can also get a good workout. An hour of yoga can burn up to 350 calories.
  95. Get familiar with quinoa -- a wonderful grain that's easy to cook and goes great with sauteed vegetables or mushrooms.
  96. Ditch the mayo, cheese and top bun if you want to scrape off 250 calories from a restaurant sandwich.
  97. Resistance bands are a comfortable and affordable at-home exercise option for strength straining.
  98. Use the freezer to add some extra oomph to summer foods. Freeze grapes for some bite-sized delights. Or get a popsicle mold and freeze some Greek yogurt with berries.
  99. Wrap up any extra food you've cooked before you sit down to a meal so you're not tempted to get seconds.
  100. Take a 30-second break in the middle of your meal. Evaluate just how hungry you still are before getting back to your food.          

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-100-weight-loss-tips

The No Fail, 10 Minutes to “Firm” Workout

Four Weeks to Great Legs
 the-lean-inner-thighs

The Lean

(for inner thighs)

Return to Skater’s Lunge position, with your right foot back. Bend sideways at the waist, reaching your right arm up and left arm down and back toward your right calf (as shown). Return arms to starting position. Do 10 reps, then switch sides and repeat.

 squat-glutes-abs

Geisha Squat

(for glutes and abs)

A. Standing with feet and knees pressed together and hands in prayer position, push hips back and squat down; don’t let knees go past your toes.

B. Keeping your lower body still and facing forward, squeeze inner thighs together and rotate upper body and head to the right, touching right elbow to right knee. Turn to face forward again (still squatting), then repeat to the left; that’s 1 rep. Do 12 reps. 

Burn it off!
To shave inches and fat off your legs, do at least 30–45 minutes of interval training (walk, run, elliptical, swim, bike, skate) 3–4 times a week, alternating 3 minutes of moderate effort with 2 minutes of intense effort.