I do care about eating right and burning more calories, but I just wish it didn't always feel like rocket science. Seriously, do I really have to read a 300 pager on some fad diet plan or learn army-worthy workout sequences just to decrease my "pooch"? There have got to be easier, sneakier ways to lose those stubborn pounds, right?
Fitness and lifestyle consultant Ashley Borden says absolutely. And while all these little tweaks may seem minor, they add up over time. Awesome.
No. 1
Limit your liquids to herbal tea and water only. Drinking even light juices or diet coke will still pack on pounds over time, says Borden. If you need a sweet fix, eat your fruit, don't drink it. You'll get more fiber and less sugar that way.
No. 2
Eat with chopsticks. "People who use chopsticks tend to eat way less and get fuller quicker because it takes longer to eat -- [chopsticks] slow you down," says Borden. This is one of the biggest rules of thumb when it comes to eating right. If you eat too fast your body doesn't register that it's full, so you'll keep eating unnecessary calories.
No. 3
Take your workout to work. No time to exercise before or after work? Burn a few calories during your lunch hour instead. Borden likes the virtual jump rope for this purpose (try Airope Original, 34.95). It's easy to tote, you won't whip any colleagues, and two simple minutes of jumping will get you off your bum and blasting cals. Bonus: It'll give your back a much-needed break from hunching (and hurting), she says.
No. 4
Avoid low fat diets. "Fat is your friend, it will help you get fewer calories cravings," says Borden. Find good-for-you fats in avocado, olive oil and fish.
No. 5
Do an activity that jumpstarts your lymphatic system, says Borden, like running, jump rope, and rebounding (jumping on a mini trampoline). These activities boost your circulation to help release built-up toxins, which in turn speeds up your metabolism. And you know what that means: More calories burned without any extra effort.
No. 6
Sprinkle on the cinnamon. Flavoring your oatmeal, cereal, coffee -- you name it -- with cinnamon may actually control the insulin spikes that often occur after you eat, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture finding. These spikes can make you feel hungry, which isn't exactly ideal if you're trying to cut calories.
No. 7
Avoid creamy foods. Example: Dairy or creamy dressings like ranch have more unhealthy fats and are harder to digest than olive oil-based fats found in vinaigrette-like dressings.
No. 8
Add more weight to your weight-training workout. It's a myth that women "shouldn't lift more than three pounds," says Borden. "The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be," she adds. So, don't be afraid to pile on the pounds (to your weight room routine, that is) and don't worry, contrary to popular belief, it's actually hard to add bulk. If you can do 15 reps of an exercise easily, add more weight until your last rep is an effort, she says.
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