Fwd: Eight Reasons You're Still Fat

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> Eight Reasons You're Still Fat

> Reply-To: fitnessexchange

>

> by Liz Ward

>

> 1. YOU'RE STARVING

> Slashing too many calories pushes the body to conserve cals rather

> than burn them. It also forces your body to break down muscle tissue

> to fuel it's vital operations. But that muscle is key to your

> metabolism--more muscle means a faster metabolism & less body fat.

>

> Solution: Cut only 500 calories at a time.

>

>

> 2. YOU INHALE FOOD

> You may eat so fast that your stomach hardley has time to alert your

> brain that you're full!

>

> Solution: Chew, swallow, put down your fork, take a sip of water.

>

>

> 3. YOU'RE TOO REFINED

> Processed foods contain little fiber, the calorie-free component of

> plant foods that fills you up, not out. Plus, foods rich in fiber

> help control blood glucose & insulin levels.

>

> Solution: Eat whole grain breads and cereals, rice, nuts, beans,

> veggies, fruits.

>

>

> 4. YOUR EYES ARE WIDE OPEN

> Sleep deprivation decreases the odds of shedding fat and keeping it

> off. Researchers found that healthy men who snoozed only 4-7 hours

> for 6 nights in a row had higher glucose and insulin. Surplus insulin

> levels boost body-fat storage (well, it also boosts carb & protein

> storage--it just wants to clear your blood!)

>

> Solution: Hit the sack for 8 hours as often as possible. If for some

> reason you can't sleep that much, be sure to exercise regularly and

> eat at regular intervals to keep insulin levels where they belong.

>

>

> 5. YOU THINK FITNESS TRUMPS FATNESS

> Exercise alone isn't enough to fight the fat war. Why? Many people

> simply eat more than they burn off.

>

> Solution: Controlling portion size is absolutely essential to weight

> loss. And don't eat out too often--one restaurant meal could often

> feed an entire family!

>

>

> 6. YOU LACK BASIC FOOD PREP SKILLS

> If your only kitchen skill is to dial for pizza, you're condemned to

> a diet of grease, salt, refined bread and sugar.

>

> Solution: Open your fridge. You should find frozen berries and

> vegetables which are just as good as fresh but last much longer. Look

> in your cupboard. You should find canned veggies and beans, low-fat

> soups, oatmeal and plenty of other whole grain products. Best of all,

> you don't need much more than a can opener and a microwave to make

> them edible!

>

>

> 7. YOU'RE DRY

> When you're trying to lose weight (or not), water is the perfect

> partner. You need it to help flush the waste products your body makes

> when it breaks down fat for energy, or when it processes protein. You

> need it to transport nutrients to your muscles. You need it to help

> digest food and keep your metabolism clicking along. And it keeps you

> from over-heating during exercise. Water-soaked red blood cells also

> prevent many diseases and infections.

>

> Solution: Your goal is to drink 64oz of water or more daily. Clear or

> pale pee is the universally recognized sign of good hydration.

>

>

> 8. YOU'RE COCKY

> You lose 10 or 20 pounds and start thinking you're Joe Weight Loss.

> Next thing you know you're back to your old eating habits and your

> weight--or more.

>

> Solution: Every 5 pounds of fat you shed is real estate you own

> outright, don't give it back. With each 5 pounds you drop, reassess

> your diet and exercise program. Make sure that your food intake and

> exercise volume are appropriate and constant. Now, aim to conquer the

> next 5 pounds or defend the 5 you've lost.

>

>

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