It’s that time of year again – parking lots at the local gym are jam packed, weight loss ads are flooding TV, and the morning yak shows are peppered with stories covering the greatest ways to lose weight ever invented.
So everywhere you turn there is a different opinion on the best way to get off those unwanted pounds. You could join a gym, you could join Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, or you could simply do this:
- For one week, do not eat anything containing refined carbohydrates, starch, or simple sugars – like white bread, pasta, anything that comes in a can (too much sodium) or a box (processed junk food).
- Don’t drink anything containing fructose, sugar or sugar substitutes (like NutraSweet (aspartame). Recent research indicates that fructose (and high fructose corn syrup-HFCS), and aspartame actually cause most people to gain weight. See the Princeton research. The corn industry spends a fortune touting the benefits of HFCS so be skeptical of health benefit marketing surrounding products made with this.
- Do some moderate exercise every day – walking, and light weights to build muscle.
Of course you will want to try and reduce your stress level (exercise helps with this) and get plenty of rest (seven to nine hours a night is the target – more or less and you will likely gain weight).
After the week is up, check your results; you will probably have lost 3 to 7 pounds and have more energy to boot. If you like the new you, go for another week on the same plan – then keep this up until you reach your goal. Getting started is the hard part.
Oh, the setting a goal part is important – be sure to do that and write it down. Look at your goal as often as possible – it makes all the difference in keeping you motivated.
Here’s your new mantra – fresh vegetables and fuits (fruit in moderation), lean meats, poultry, and seafood (unless you’re a vegetarian), clean drinking water.
Good luck.
