Hello, fit people. How are you? I hope you are doing well, you are healthier and happier than ever.
I have been thinking for a while about this concept of losing fats, getting ready for the summer, fitting in the old dress, etc… I get that the social pressure to have a good-looking body is rising every second and more and more people are falling into this trap. I get that people want to look good and be complimented for it. I get that this is lifting up the confidence and the ego, but the problem is that there are proper ways of doing it and quote and quote, faster ways, which comes with a price.
Let me share a story with you. It is about a friend, that has recently fallen into this trap.
5 kg she said. I just need to lose 5 kg. Keep in mind that she is 21 years old, 55 kg. Ok, she can’t be classified as a skinny person, but she really doesn’t have what to lose. However, she truly believes that losing 5 kg will transform her body into an Instagram model. Of course, she wanted fast results as well, so instead of listening to my advice, she choose to put herself on a strict diet.
As you would expect, the diet worked. She lost some weight. She said that she can fit again in her old jeans, and she feels lighter. However, several times she asked me to buy her a chocolate bar or something sweet, as she felt tired and couldn’t handle the pain of hunger anymore. Keep in mind that she also smokes and that helps her not to feel hungry, as cigarettes are an appetite suppressant. What do you think happened to her? She ended up having a peptic ulcer. Very early stage though, but enough to cause her a lot of pain and discomfort. Now she must follow a specific diet. But in order to help to cure the damage.
The point of this story guys is that diet, a strict diet that restricts you from certain food and allows others is not a healthy, nor sustainable approach to losing fats. And the point of this blog is to show you that there is a way. A simple approach that is slow, steady, and permanent. This approach can not only make you lose fats but can even transform your body into a better working machine, with more energy and fewer health issues.
There are 3 very simple strategies that you should follow in order to succeed. The last one is not mandatory. But it will speed up the process significantly.
Number 1: Eat proper, healthy, whole-natural food.
That kind of food that your body feels the best with. But by best I don’t mean the food that gives you only pleasure. I mean food that gives your body what it needs.
Example: I do love brownies. Especially with milk. That is just the best combination ever. But I do know that if I eat it before bed, I won’t be able to sleep well and the next day my body will feel like trash. Therefore, I do not eat brownies with milk before bed. Does that mean I never eat brownies? Of course not. I do. But not at times when my body doesn’t want to have it. Also, I know that brownie is full of sugar and not very natural ingredients, so I most of the time try to avoid it. Same with coffee. I love it, but if I have it more than once per day, I struggle to fall asleep. So, I know what to do. No more than 1 coffee per day.
In order to know how your body feels with certain foods, you must keep a bit of track with it. Therefore, I highly encourage you, for two weeks, to keep track of the foods you eat. Then for another two weeks, slowly reduce the processed foods that are full of preservatives and toxins.
On another piece of paper, try to track how you feel every day during those 4 weeks. Do you have more energy? Do you sleep better? How is your mood? How is your digestion?
Keep track of those two variables and within a month you will have a very good base knowledge of how your body prefers to eat, as well as what. This is the way of creating your own personalized diet, according to your body’s preferences. It is sustainable, easy to follow, and free of charge.
If you want to learn more about food, I have created a Healthy Eating guide, as well as an Awareness journal that can both guide you to start. Both and much more are available to download for free here.
Number 2: Create more movement.
This one is so crucial guys. It is as important, as having healthy eating habits. Think about all the people that are very active. We all have a friend that just can’t stop moving. He/she is full of energy. They run jump climb stuff. Those people, even if they do not always eat good food, somehow are always skinny and with fewer fats. Why? Well, the more you move, the more calories you expend. Because they move all the time, their metabolism speeds up. It burns more calories at a faster rate.
I know it is not easy to change your habits. But it is possible. Just make it a requirement. Try to use the stairs instead of the elevator. Go to the furthest toilet. Go to the shop walking instead with the car. Or park as far away from the entrance, so you can walk a bit more. Try to go for a walk, enjoy nature, talking with a friend. Go play something. Create a demand for a bit more activity. This will speed up your metabolism and result in you, losing fats.
Number 3: Resistant training.
This one is not mandatory. And not easy as well. It must be either a priority or an essential part of your life. However, if you want to speed up the process and complement the previous 2 steps, some sort of non-essential activity is a great option. 3 hours per week is enough. Bodyweight training, weight training, swimming, dancing, running, tennis, ping pong. There are so many options that can further cause your body to burn more calories, build more muscles and become stronger. Try it out, you might end up discovering a new hobby as well.
If you want to learn more specifically about the benefits of resistance training, I have written a piece that can explain more in dept and highlight 5 Good Reasons To Start Resistance Training.
So, there you have it. 3 simple steps. 3 simple strategies, that can change your life, help you lose fats and become healthier than ever. It is not an easy process. It requires a bit of dedication and will. But as with everything else, the more you do it, the easier it will become. I know it is change and every change is a bit uncomfortable. That’s why it is important to really take your time and approach it carefully. If you rush it, you will end up failing. Keep reminding yourself that the slower the process the more permanent and sustainable it is.
You want to be fit and good-looking all your life, not just this summer.
Start to make changes now!