If you have ever decided that you want to drop a couple of pounds, be more active or work towards looking and feeling healthier, then you must be familiar with the common recommendations geared for fat loss. Everyone will tell you to drink more water, get at least eight hours of sleep, eat more vegetables and to get at least 30 minutes of mild exercise or cardio two to three times per week. Whether you follow a strict diet, commit to spending extra time at the gym or explore various weight loss supplements or programs, you may be interested in keeping up with the latest and greatest tips from the industry. Read on to learn about 6 surprising fat loss facts to help you reach your goals and feel and look healthier sooner rather than later.
Fat Targeting Doesn’t Work
Have you ever told yourself that you just need to do more crunches so you can reduce belly fat? Or that you need to do extra squats at the gym to lose hip and glute fat? Unfortunately, spot reduction, or targeting only a specific area on your body, does not work simply because our bodies are not made to work that way. Even though you can’t target a specific area of your body, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to tone up that specific body part. The best way to tone up and lose fat is to focus on all muscle groups equally and to stick to a total-body workout.
More Protein = Faster Metabolism
Anyone who has ever embarked on any kind of diet is familiar with high protein food selections. While protein is great for building lean muscle, especially if you are active and following a solid exercise routine, it could also play a big role in kickstarting your metabolism. Protein is one nutrient that can actually increase the number of calories you burn. For the best effect, you have to choose lean protein like chicken and fish over meat that may be fattier. You should also aim to consume smaller amounts of food and protein throughout the day versus eating three big meals.
A Piece of Chocolate A Day Keeps the Pounds Away
Have you ever heard someone telling you that eating more chocolate while you’re trying to lose weight will support your goals? Well, if you’re a fan of chocolate you’ll be happy to hear that a single piece of dark chocolate a day could actually help you curb your desert cravings, satisfy your sweet tooth and help you stick to your weight loss goals. When choosing the right piece of chocolate, you’ll want something with heavy cocoa and very light sugar. Cocoa contains a lot of antioxidants, and you could actually buy pure unsweetened cocoa and add it to shakes, coffee and other recipes.
Long Cardio Sessions Aren’t Always Helpful
If you are the type of person who spends an hour on the treadmill hoping to lose some weight, you’re being totally counterproductive. Long cardio exercises are very demanding and requires more energy, which may make you eat more and ultimately sabotage your fat loss. In order to lose fat and feel good, you want to aim for interval training exercise, strength training and a balanced, nutritious diet.
Load Up on Vitamin D
Believe it or not, Vitamin D doesn’t just help your body absorb calcium and regulate your immune system – it can also help you lose weight. When you add Vitamin D to a low-calorie diet it not only helps you shed more pounds, but it is also good for burning body fat. Vitamin D is one nutrient that many people are often deficient in, no matter how much time they spend in the sun, so it’s important to look for the right supplement and the right dosage to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need.
Fat Storage is Determined by Gender & Genes
Genetics play a big role in how your body is going to make and store fat cells, and so does your gender. Women are naturally predisposed to storing more fat around the hips and thighs, while men tend to store more fat around the stomach area. It’s important to take these facts into consideration when beginning a new exercise routine or a new diet.
Most people who struggle with weight loss have usually tried a few different methods and experiences to reach their goals. Contact our team to learn about the services we provide at A New Me and to see how we can help you feel and look healthier.
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