What to eat and not to eat in order to lose belly fat is the top question being asked (especially this time of year – the pre-bathing suit season)! Understanding what causes belly fat (stress, unhealthy food/beverage choices and sedentary lifestyle) will help you make small changes for big results. Here are my "top five secrets" for successful belly fat loss.
1: Each more monounsaturated foods: Atlantic pickled herring, halibut, sable fish and mackerel contain the highest amounts. Peanut butter (organic preferred), unsalted and roasted (not dry roasted) seeds (pumpkin, flax and sunflower), nuts (almond and pecans), avocados and olives (including olive oil) are great choices, too. Safflower, sunflower, olive, soybean, canola, avocado, hazelnut and cod liver oils.
2: Run, jog, walk, and/or use an elliptical for aerobic training and workout; at least 30 minutes a day, at a consistent and (somewhat) exerting pace. Increasing your heart rate is important. Start with a five minute warm up (or one song warm up as I call it) and progress to a slow but steady increased pace for 20 minutes, cool down for five minutes.
3. Graze throughout the day and avoid alcohol and caffeine. I consume a healthy smoothie in the a.m. (which includes yogurt), a mid morning snack (usually fruit), a healthy mostly complex carbs lunch with 3 oz of lean protein and 1 tablespoon or 1 oz of fat (mono or polyunsaturated fats), a mid afternoon snack (equivalent to 1 oz of almonds, walnuts combined or any cup of fresh fruit or veggies). Dinner is mostly protein (4-6 oz), 1 cup carbs and 1 oz or 2 tablespoons of healthy fats (I use olive oil for cooking). Alcohol is nothing but empty calories and caffeine causes more stress than it relieves; avoid both. Decaf coffee and teas are preferred, natural herbal tea is highly recommended (green tea is best!).
4. Pray + fast + eat = live. That's what I teach and is my basic theory for wellness. A lifestyle that is balanced throughout (physical, emotional and spiritual) goes a long way in helping us stay healthy. And you'd be surprised what that will do for belly fat!
5. Massage. I highly recommend a deep tissue massage at least once every 14 days, which naturally releases toxins from your body. Toxins aid in building up acid deposits throughout your body. Deep tissue massages aid in removing them, followed by 64 oz of water a day and an Epsom salt bath. For as little as $30/hour you can get rejuvenated throughout your entire body. I personally recommend Fuller's School of Massage in Virginia Beach (with whom I have no association except as a grateful customer).
Quick tip: Wellness equals weight loss but weight loss doesn't always equal wellness. Belly fat is mostly a condition reflecting poor exercise and diet. Practice wellness and you'll start seeing your belly shrink naturally.
No comments:
Post a Comment