Saturday, August 24, 2013

5 Keys to Successful Weight Loss

Are you struggling to lose weight? You're not alone. The concepts to losing weight are simple – eat less and move more. However, doing those seemingly simple things can be quite difficult. Here are 5 keys to help you achieve weight loss success.

Keep a Food Journal
Food journals keep you honest with yourself and hold you accountable. Research has shown that people who record the food they eat tend to have greater success losing weight.

Eat Slowly
The brain needs about 20 minutes to receive the signal that you’re full. It doesn’t matter how much you eat in those 20 minutes, the satiety signal doesn’t move any faster. You can save a tremendous amount of calories by slowing down.

Eat Your Favorite Foods
Denying yourself all of your favorite foods will likely to lead to a binge. If you give yourself small portions of your favorite foods, you will be less likely to lose control.

Avoid Temptation
Avoiding temptation is key to weight loss success. If your break-room at work always has donuts and cake, don’t go in. At the grocery store, avoid the snack aisle. At home, don't hang out in the kitchen.

Schedule Appointments to Exercise
Schedule appointments to exercise just like you would schedule a doctors’ appointment. Find activities that you enjoy and make them a priority.

I hope these tips help you achieve your weight loss goals. Feel free to leave comments or questions. If you would like personal assistance and live in the Milwaukee area, please contact me.

Gage Livingston
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Milwaukee, WI


Source: Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook

Friday, August 23, 2013

Does Eating at Night Make You Fat?

Many people believe eating “after 8PM” will lead to weight gain. This is not necessarily true. Weight gain is based on caloric intake and caloric expenditure. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. It doesn’t matter whether the calories came from eating breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack.

The most important factor is not when you eat, but what and how much. People often eat more calorie-dense foods at night. If your late-night snack is a bag of chips, you might be in trouble. On the other hand, if you eat a cup of Greek yogurt and blueberries, you’re on the right track to maintaining a healthy weight.

The bottom line is you should eat whenever you are truly hungry – just go for lighter, more nutrient-dense foods.

By
Gage Livingston
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Milwaukee, WI


Does Eating at Night Make You Fat?