Do your Research

 There are so many benefits to having a healthy body that people are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. Some of the benefits include increased energy and endurance, healthy blood pressure, improved quality of sleep,improved mood and self confidence, etc. So many people actually end up harming their body trying to achieve a healthy body. How?

 

There are hundreds of thousands of diets today. If you think I'm exaggerating, check out wikipedia. Among the top eight diets you'll find Atkins, Zone, Weight Watchers, Raw Food, Mediterranean, etc. All of these diets have different approaches, but typically have a common end goal - weight loss. With the media today, so many women are uncomfortable in their own bodies so they resort to diets to help them achieve the 'sought' after look. But with so many diets being advertised, how do you choose?

 

When trying to find a 'diet' that works for your goal it can be very time consuming, confusing, contradicting, etc. You must remember that these people who have 'created' these diets are doing it to make money. They are after your money and will tell you whatever you want to hear. Let me tell you something - you don't need them. STOP with the shakes, the pills, the pre-made meals, and for heavens sake STOP EATING THOSE LEAN CUISINE MEALS! Do you even know what's in them?  Many frozen dinner options contain trans fat—the substance linked to heart disease that’s now nearly banned, even in fast-food chains. And to enhance flavor, they’re packed with additives, sodium, and even sugar, not to mention a plethora of preservatives.

 

 

While I'm not saying that you can't lose weight on these diets (because you can), I would not recommend it. Most of the weight loss is from water, and what happens when you stop taking these said pre-packaged meals, shakes, pills? I guarantee you will gain the weight back, if not more. You have to change your lifestyle, or you will always be eating the whole package of cookies or the whole carton of ice cream.

 

Food is your friend and should be used as units of energy. No food should be off limits, which I've stated before. You can have your chips, cookies, etc - just in moderation. All you need for weight loss is a calorie deficit, and I don't mean go try living off of 1200 calories ladies! If you are doing this, you are doing it wrong and are harming your metabolism. Most women's maintenance calorie intake is roughly 2200 calories - slowly cut your calories. Don't hurt your body. Don't be the one who is afraid of carbs or fats, the one who does hours of cardio, the one who is spending hundreds of dollars on 'fake food', the one binging on the weekends. Don't do it. Ask for help.

 

Tips:

• Eat wholesome items with 5 or less ingredients.
• If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it.
• Shop the perimeter of the store. You will get your lean proteins, dairy, produce, etc.
• Plan before you shop. Eat before you shop. This allows you to get in and get out without picking up those unhealthy options.
• Eat your vegetables. Have a colorful plate.
• Drink your water.
• Don't say, "I can't have that." Instead, "I can have that, I just don't want it."
• Cardio is NOT needed for weight loss.
• Check out sites like http://www.fooducate.com/ or http://www.goodguide.com/ if you are confused. Fooducate has a great app that I would recommend for beginners.

 

At the end of the day, if you are truly seeking for help - reach out to someone who is educated in the area, preferably a nutritionist. I know I've touched on a lot of topics in this post, so if you'd like me to go into more detail about a certain topic - please comment below.

Hydrating Your Body

Have you ever taken a second and thought about how much water you drink in a typical day? Chances are you aren't drinking enough water. It is recommended that an individual should drink 8 cups of water a day. When you line up 8 cups of water, it may seem like a lot - especially if it's not your beverage of choice. To take a step further, it is said that you should drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day. For example, 120lb individual should drink atleast 60 oz of water per day. I, however, drink more than a gallon a water a day!

Don't feel like water is that beneficial to you? You can live several weeks without food, but only a few days without water. You could be dehydrated from not drinking enough water which could cause a variety of symptoms such as fatigue/weakness, irritability, dizziness/lightheadedness, nausea, headaches, constipation, dry skin, etc. These are common issues that many individuals have, but are not aware of the reasoning why or how easily it is to fix.

Dehydration can also CAUSE bloating. When the amount of water in your body falls too low, your kidneys signal the rest of your body to hold onto water. This is one of the reasons why drinking water can help reduce bloating. Increasing the amount of water in your body can stimulate your kidneys to release water, which should help relieve your bloating to some degree.
 

The benefits of water are endless! It is hydrating, refreshing, and healthy at 0 calories! Water removes waste and toxins, transports nutrients and oxygen, controls heart rate and blood pressure, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, and protects organs and tissue, including the eyes, ears, and heart. Water can even help you lose weight by acting as an appetite suppressant.

Are you ready to hydrate your body and feel the difference? Here are some ways to stay hydrated throughout your day. Keep water with you throughout the day - if you have it and are constantly reminded, you'll drink it without thinking. Keep in mind that if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Beverages high in sugar or caffeine, like soda, can cause dehydration. Be sure to eat food with high water content such as lettuce, watermelon, broccoli, or yogurt. Tracking your water intake can be very motivational, creating awareness and habit-forming. Also, you can benefit from writing on times on your water bottles like so -

 



How much water do you drink per day? Do you make it an effort to drink water throughout the day? Are there tips that help you drink the recommended amount? Help others, and keep yourself accountable by commenting below.