Losing Weight
Since I was in grade school, I have always worried about my body image.
I was never overweight but always thought that I needed to diet and exercise.
Living in Los Angeles doesn't help either.
I have tried a number of diets - South Beach, the Special K Challenge, the Smash Fat Diet, I have even done the Master Cleanse.
All the diets are really hard on your social life.
South Beach - no carbs, just protein and veggies was doable, but limited options.
You also get tired of eating so many salads.
The Special K challenge is okay but you start to get really tired of cereal.
The Master Cleanse, which is essentially drinking lemonade all day and taking laxatives was just the way it sounds - horrible! I lost weight but gained it back the second that food hit my mouth.
The Smash Fat diet, which is a 3 week diet that tells you to eat four small meals per day actually worked the best for me.
In addition to my various diets, I am also a gym rat.
Working out is a great stress reliever and in combination with your diet, it works wonders.
I would recommend doing classes at your gym in order to keep motivated.
If I ran on a treadmill every day I would get bored.
Instead, I do spinning classes, body works, boot camp, kickboxing and whichever else can keep me excited to exercise.
In the end, this is what I have learned.
You can't just diet, you can't just exercise - you have to do both.
You should try to be active and work out at least 3 times a week.
I recommend a combination of cardio and weights, doing just one will not get you the results you want.
If you can't make it out to the gym there are things you can do to stay active.
Walk to lunch, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park a little further.
In terms of dieting, in the end, it is all about portion control.
No carbs will help you lose water weight.
The Smash diet is good in that it helps you control your portions and you eat less.
It encourages you to eat brown rice, fiber enriched foods that keep you fuller.
I also believe in eating a few small meals a day as opposed to three big meals.
Breakfast is also key - don't skip the meal or you'll overeat during lunch.
If its white, throw it out.
Brown/wheat = good.
I was never overweight but always thought that I needed to diet and exercise.
Living in Los Angeles doesn't help either.
I have tried a number of diets - South Beach, the Special K Challenge, the Smash Fat Diet, I have even done the Master Cleanse.
All the diets are really hard on your social life.
South Beach - no carbs, just protein and veggies was doable, but limited options.
You also get tired of eating so many salads.
The Special K challenge is okay but you start to get really tired of cereal.
The Master Cleanse, which is essentially drinking lemonade all day and taking laxatives was just the way it sounds - horrible! I lost weight but gained it back the second that food hit my mouth.
The Smash Fat diet, which is a 3 week diet that tells you to eat four small meals per day actually worked the best for me.
In addition to my various diets, I am also a gym rat.
Working out is a great stress reliever and in combination with your diet, it works wonders.
I would recommend doing classes at your gym in order to keep motivated.
If I ran on a treadmill every day I would get bored.
Instead, I do spinning classes, body works, boot camp, kickboxing and whichever else can keep me excited to exercise.
In the end, this is what I have learned.
You can't just diet, you can't just exercise - you have to do both.
You should try to be active and work out at least 3 times a week.
I recommend a combination of cardio and weights, doing just one will not get you the results you want.
If you can't make it out to the gym there are things you can do to stay active.
Walk to lunch, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park a little further.
In terms of dieting, in the end, it is all about portion control.
No carbs will help you lose water weight.
The Smash diet is good in that it helps you control your portions and you eat less.
It encourages you to eat brown rice, fiber enriched foods that keep you fuller.
I also believe in eating a few small meals a day as opposed to three big meals.
Breakfast is also key - don't skip the meal or you'll overeat during lunch.
If its white, throw it out.
Brown/wheat = good.
Source...