It’s time for the annual New Year’s resolution to diet. Eating healthy can be so important, but shedding all carbs or limiting food intake to only a single meal isn’t the best way to lose weight. Instead, dieting is usually counterproductive. If you want to know the solution, skip down to the bottom for the real secret.

Balanced Diet – eliminating something from your diet can’t be real bad for you. Different foods provide different benefits. Calcium builds stronger bones. Protein rebuilds depleted muscles. Carbs provide much needed energy to keep your body fueled. And vitamins and minerals are found everywhere and help the body stay healthy in many different ways.

More Meals, Not Fewer Meals – People think that reducing meals and calories is the best way to lose weight, but it’s actually the wrong thing to do. It is best to actually eat several small meals throughout the day, because it will raise your metabolism. Thus, your calories expended will exceed your calorie intake and help you lose weight. Just avoid big meals and this tip will definitely help you lose weight

Eat Happy – Sometimes we use food as a crutch when we are sad or depressed. And sometimes dieting makes us unhappy. People tend to break their diet with a binge, reversing any positive effects that were hoping to find. This binge leads to a gain in weight and more unhappiness, forcing us into a vicious cycle. Instead of being stuck in a miserable dieting circle, just try to find your own happiness. Stay active with hobbies, work, family, and friends will undoubtedly help you avoid poor eating decisions. Busy and happy people simply don’t have the time or the desire to eat unhealthy.

Exercise More – The only way to lose weight is to work out on a regular basis. At first this might mean a couple times a week, but will eventually need to be 6 days a week. Cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, cycling, and the elliptical allow for a long duration of exercise and thus initially provide plenty of benefits. You’ll also want to include more intense activities such as lifting, plyometrics, and speed/agility work. They’ll provide a whole group of extra benefits such as more strength and increased metabolism. If you’ve already tried dieting and it didn’t work, then maybe try something different. Contact our Decatur Personal Trainers today.