How Raw Foods Help Weight Loss

Weight Loss: Overcoming Obstacles

Weight loss is one of the most controversial subjects of our time, especially among women.  Today’s issues are far more complex than even 5 years ago. With major changes to the environment, our food supply and our lifestyles, it can seem like an upward fight for many battling the bulge.

Women’s bodies, in particular, have a tendency to “hold on” to a certain amount of fat (as the child bearers), even if you are thin.  In many cases, however, the problem link can be traced directly to certain habits and lifestyle practices.  

Keep in mind, weight loss problems are not solely related to women. A growing number of men are also battling their weight more than ever before. But the good news is many of these issues can be remedied for everyone, with just a few changes if a person is willing!

Here are some top solutions to help you solve your weight loss issues.

Curbing Your Appetite:

If you have a healthy appetite, it’s no fun to pay attention to your portion sizes, but it’s really very important to cut back on how much food you’re eating, plain and simple. The most important thing is honesty with yourself about what and how much you’re eating. Are you eating snacks in between meals? What are you snacking on? Do you eat desserts or pick on junky snack foods throughout the day or evening?  What about beverages? Do you consume a lot of sugary drinks like cokes and sodas, alcohol, etc?  All of these things play a major role in contributing to the problem.

The answer to weight loss isn’t starvation!  In fact, far from it. You’re better off eating 6 “mini portions” of good quality food throughout the day, than you are sitting down to 3 squares and stuffing yourself to the gills with bad food.  The big key to successful weight loss is replacement foods. That means replacing junky foods with things like raw nuts, unsweetened trail mix, raisins, fresh fruit and veggies, more water, etc.  If you do you this you will feel better and begin to see changes almost instantly!

Eat a Little Something for Breakfast:

Your body’s metabolism is a lot like the engine of a high-performance car. If you don’t put good fuel into the tank, it just won’t run. Skipping breakfast is the same concept. If there’s nothing in the tank to burn, how can your body run?

Some people are not hungry first thing in the morning, which is understandable. The key is wait about an hour, maybe 90 minutes after you wake up and/or get dressed. Then make a nice breakfast for yourself. That does NOT mean stuffing yourself with bacon, eggs and pancakes, which is terrible for you. What we mean by breakfast is real food such as fruits, nuts, carrots, seeds, grains, berries, citrus, melons, and so on. These are a great morning food because they are light, refreshing, flavorful, fulfilling, and act as a natural cleanser in the body.

In addition to food quality, do your best to cut back on your portions, as well.  Also make sure to replace sugary drinks with water, tea, fresh squeezed juices without the sugar (not the store-bought frozen junk), maybe a little high-quality coffee ground from good beans. Those choices should be more than sufficient.

Exercise Regularly, Daily if Possible:

This is a killer for so many people and it’s very easy to get stuck in a rut. Perhaps you work many hours during the week and come home tired and fatigued. Maybe you feel depressed and unmotivated to do anything. Whatever the issue, you must find a way to reverse the lack of motivation. 60 minutes of exercise each day is highly recommended. It will not only help you burn fat, it will help relieve stress, gain strength and increase your energy levels substantially!  If you can’t work out for 60 minutes, do what you can. At least try for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you work doing the day, try making your lunch hour a workout period. One way or the other, it’s time to get that cardio up and running!  As the old saying goes, “use it or lose it.”  

In addition to getting your cardio workout, be sure to work in some strength training, too. Reports are showing how valuable it is to add that in. Sometimes, just walking isn’t enough to burn fat and tighten. The key is to build muscle tissue, which in turn burns calories more efficiently than fat tissue.

Addressing Heredity Issues:

Did your parent have weight problems? If so, that might explain your own personal struggle. Additionally, studies show that women who are overweight or obese during pregnancy are more likely to have overweight babies. Worst of all, it can create issues that persist into adulthood. Weight issues from the mother’s side are often times more prominent than the father’s side.

Strive for Good Quality Sleep:

There is growing evidence that suggests sleep deprivation can lead to increased levels of a chemical compound known as Cortisol, a type of stress hormone that seems to stimulate the appetite. How many times have you had little sleep and found yourself eating more than usual? It happens because your body is battling tired fatigue.  If you’re struggling with your weight, be sure you’re getting enough shut-eye. Seven hours sleep a night is the magic number for many of us.

Addressing Thyroid Troubles:

Thyroid issues are no laughing matter and men and women from all walks of life can be struck with it.  Women, in particular, have trouble losing weight because of hormonal imbalances that befall them. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, pumps out hormones that control body metabolism. If the gland’s output isn’t high enough, a condition known as Hypothyroidism can occur, and the pounds not only pile on fast, the weight sticks on like glue and is very hard to lose.

If you think thyroid trouble might underlie your weight-loss difficulties, go to your local doctor or healthcare professional and get your hormone levels tested via a blood test. If you have a deficiency, effective treatment is available.

Not Eating Enough Can Be Problematic:

Believe it or not, this can be a real problem. Some women have trouble losing weight because they eat too little!  This might sound crazy, but if you’re consuming less than 1,200 calories a day, it puts your body into “starvation mode.” The metabolism slows down because it thinks it’s trying to keep you alive. This issue is more common among women, many of whom are desperate to lose weight. If you are not eating enough, try bumping the daily calorie count up a bit. It can speed weight loss because the body has something to burn.

Eating the Wrong Foods is a Killer:

It’s no secret bad foods will pack the pounds on very quickly, so try your best to avoid junk food, fried foods, saturated fatty foods, breaded foods, processed foods, pasteurized foods, sweets and desserts; all the obvious suspects you know are bad for you. What foods are good for you? Pretty much anything that grows is good to eat.  Top foods to focus on include leafy greens, which are always great for nutrition and weight loss.  Also feel free to indulge on carrots, greens, spinach, broccoli celery, beets, cabbage and Brussel sprouts, citrus fruits like grapefruit, almonds and assorted beans. If you are a meat eater, stick with lean meats like salmon and try to reduce how much meat you eat. Most importantly, be sure to drink lots and lots of water and if you like green tea it’s fantastic for aiding weight loss naturally!

Medications Can Affect Your Weight:

One of the biggest culprits of weight gain is drugs. So wether it’s marijuana, over-the-counter pain relievers, pharmaceutical drugs, steroids, anti-depressants, antibiotics or anything else can contribute to weight gain. This is no laughing matter and can be very dangerous if you have a history of high blood pressure, hypertension or other serious health problems.  Ask your doctor about substituting drugs if you must take them, but try to go for more holistic remedies if possible. In the meantime, that is all the more reason to eat properly, eat less portions, get plenty of rest, reduce stress whenever possible, and exercise regularly, daily if possible.

If You Want to Lose Weight, Stop Drinking Alcohol:

We are sorry to tell you this, but beware of all the hype trying to convince you that alcohol is good for you. This really is a misrepresentation of the truth promoted by big business working like mad to get you hooked on their products. Alcohol is loaded with all sorts of garbage you can’t imagine. Not only does it harm your body, it packs the pounds on faster than you can blink an eye. Having the occasional glass of wine or drink may not kill you, but if you’re having trouble losing weight, cut back on the booze. A single five-ounce glass of wine can contain as much as 120 calories, which is insane to fathom!  A hard alcohol cocktail can be even worse, measuring in at 300 to 400 calories a glass. That is as much as a small meal, but not as easy to burn off. It’s bad for your waistline and for your body, as a whole.

Did You Know? 

The FDA does NOT force alcohol manufactures or distributors to list the ingredients added to alcohol. That is alarming! There is no way to know what they’re adding to your brews or drinks you’re consuming. The worst part is these companies are adding flavor enhancers, high fructose corn syrup, chemicals, preservatives, and other garbage you have no clue exists into the alcohol you are drinking.  What better way to get consumers addicted to their products almost instantly. If you cannot lose weight and you tend to be a heavy drinker, cut back on the drinking.  Better yet, just quit drinking altogether. Your body will thank you for it.  🙂 

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