While switching to Paleo is a good way to begin your fat shedding journey, there are also few lifestyle habits which can aid in reaching your goals.
Here are 6 simple strategies for slim-down success from our NewMeMD wellness team:
1. Keep your food simple.
One of the reasons why the Paleo Diet has been so effective for weight loss is because of its ability to help dieters reduce calories without consciously restricting them. Studies show eating "simpler foods" can lead to consuming less overall, which in turn, can expedite the process of shedding those unwanted pounds. For starters, try sticking to the basics...
- healthy meats or protein alternatives (like chicken, beef or fish)
- plenty of non-starchy vegetables (kale, spinach, Romaine lettuce)
- whole food carbohydrates from root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets, etc.)
- low glycemic index fruits (plums, strawberries, raspberries)
- some healthy fats (nuts, avocados)
2. Be sure to eat enough.
Several Paleo newbies initially believe less food is always better when it comes to losing weight. Decreasing your caloric intake too much, however, lowers your resting metabolic rate... which can cause those numbers on the scale to remain stagnant (or even reverse). Regardless of which program you choose, dieting should never be about starving yourself. Remember-- calories do count but when it comes to weight loss, taking in too few calories can be just as problematic as overeating.
3. Try to be as active as possible throughout the day.
Did you know most of us actually spend up to 15 hours a day sitting?! There are actually dangers of constantly being sedentary... so much so that getting into the habit of moving more throughout the day can improve your health, promote fat loss and even reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. When it comes to trimming down, staying active throughout the entire day is definitely a must-- so get movin' already!
4. Eat enough carbs to support your activity level.
Tolerance to carbohydrates can vary according to each individual's lifestyle and/or genetic makeup. This means some people can do quite well on very low-carb diet, while others can simply crash and burn. Although we don’t think it's absolutely imperative to completely prohibit your intake of carbs on a daily basis, it's important to match your carb load in proportion to the amount of exercise you do. A mismatch in your total carbs taken in vs. the actual calories you burn could cause your weight loss to plateau and can also cause fatigue and/or muscle breakdown (if you are over-exercising and not eating enough starchy foods). The best thing to keep in mind is this-- just like any other fare you feed your body, moderation is always key!
5. Address your whole life, not just diet and exercise.
Everyone knows there is more to dropping a pants size (or more!) and keeping it off through just diet and exercise. One good example is a lack of sleep. Depriving yourself of those much needed zzzzzs can make you feel hungrier, which can lead to eating too much or consuming the wrong kinds of foods simply to trump your tiredness. Your day-to-day pressures or burdens are also big factors to consider. High levels of stress stimulates our body to produce certain hormones which can cause us to eat more and store more fat, which can significantly reduce our capability to:
- get back into those skinny jeans
- be able to fit into them year-round
The solution? Focus on managing your daily stress with mind-body techniques like meditation and yoga. Even try connecting with friends or family to rally support for your weight loss efforts. You'll be amazed to find out how far just a little encouragement goes during your mission to minimize that mid-section!
6. Don’t do it alone.
The hardest part of losing weight is doing it all on your own. Whether it's the Paleo Diet or a new workout regimen, it can be incredibly difficult to make major lifestyle changes without any support, and that's where we can help. Our NewMeMD wellness team & medical experts can customize a weight loss program designed exactly for your specific needs, and we'll also provide you with the ongoing support and nutritional guidance you need to keep you on track each step of the way. For information about our products & services click here to visit our web site NOW.
Here's to a skinnier reflection in the mirror that will surely have you saying, "OMG!"
--Your NewMeMD Wellness Team
Here are 6 simple strategies for slim-down success from our NewMeMD wellness team:
1. Keep your food simple.
One of the reasons why the Paleo Diet has been so effective for weight loss is because of its ability to help dieters reduce calories without consciously restricting them. Studies show eating "simpler foods" can lead to consuming less overall, which in turn, can expedite the process of shedding those unwanted pounds. For starters, try sticking to the basics...
- healthy meats or protein alternatives (like chicken, beef or fish)
- plenty of non-starchy vegetables (kale, spinach, Romaine lettuce)
- whole food carbohydrates from root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets, etc.)
- low glycemic index fruits (plums, strawberries, raspberries)
- some healthy fats (nuts, avocados)
2. Be sure to eat enough.
Several Paleo newbies initially believe less food is always better when it comes to losing weight. Decreasing your caloric intake too much, however, lowers your resting metabolic rate... which can cause those numbers on the scale to remain stagnant (or even reverse). Regardless of which program you choose, dieting should never be about starving yourself. Remember-- calories do count but when it comes to weight loss, taking in too few calories can be just as problematic as overeating.
3. Try to be as active as possible throughout the day.
Did you know most of us actually spend up to 15 hours a day sitting?! There are actually dangers of constantly being sedentary... so much so that getting into the habit of moving more throughout the day can improve your health, promote fat loss and even reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. When it comes to trimming down, staying active throughout the entire day is definitely a must-- so get movin' already!
4. Eat enough carbs to support your activity level.
Tolerance to carbohydrates can vary according to each individual's lifestyle and/or genetic makeup. This means some people can do quite well on very low-carb diet, while others can simply crash and burn. Although we don’t think it's absolutely imperative to completely prohibit your intake of carbs on a daily basis, it's important to match your carb load in proportion to the amount of exercise you do. A mismatch in your total carbs taken in vs. the actual calories you burn could cause your weight loss to plateau and can also cause fatigue and/or muscle breakdown (if you are over-exercising and not eating enough starchy foods). The best thing to keep in mind is this-- just like any other fare you feed your body, moderation is always key!
5. Address your whole life, not just diet and exercise.
Everyone knows there is more to dropping a pants size (or more!) and keeping it off through just diet and exercise. One good example is a lack of sleep. Depriving yourself of those much needed zzzzzs can make you feel hungrier, which can lead to eating too much or consuming the wrong kinds of foods simply to trump your tiredness. Your day-to-day pressures or burdens are also big factors to consider. High levels of stress stimulates our body to produce certain hormones which can cause us to eat more and store more fat, which can significantly reduce our capability to:
- get back into those skinny jeans
- be able to fit into them year-round
The solution? Focus on managing your daily stress with mind-body techniques like meditation and yoga. Even try connecting with friends or family to rally support for your weight loss efforts. You'll be amazed to find out how far just a little encouragement goes during your mission to minimize that mid-section!
6. Don’t do it alone.
The hardest part of losing weight is doing it all on your own. Whether it's the Paleo Diet or a new workout regimen, it can be incredibly difficult to make major lifestyle changes without any support, and that's where we can help. Our NewMeMD wellness team & medical experts can customize a weight loss program designed exactly for your specific needs, and we'll also provide you with the ongoing support and nutritional guidance you need to keep you on track each step of the way. For information about our products & services click here to visit our web site NOW.
Here's to a skinnier reflection in the mirror that will surely have you saying, "OMG!"
--Your NewMeMD Wellness Team
