Summer is around the corner. Are you ready? After a long year of being stuck in the house, gyms being closed and the world being stuck in quarantine, it’s time to take back control of your health.
So, here is our 3-step guide to getting your summer body ready for 2021:
1. Cut back on refined carbs
The most effective way of losing weight and getting healthy for summer is to cut out carbohydrates from your diet. When you remove carbohydrates from your diet your hunger levels will go down and you will generally eat a lot less throughout the day. With a low carb diet, you will start to burn stored fat for energy instead of the carbs.
If you want to eat fewer carbs, avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages should be one of the first things you do, especially now that the majority if pubs have reopened their doors.
2. Eat protein, fat and vegetables
For decades, eating saturated fats has been miss-portrayed (based on faulty science and food-industry vested interests) to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and raise cholesterol up, until now that is. But fats found in red meat, dairy and some plants like coconut oils benefit our health. They contain natural bacteria that helps our gut as well as gives our body natural nutrients such as calcium, protein and potassium.
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet. Proteins are made up of chemical ‘building blocks’ called amino acids and your body uses amino acids to build and repair muscles and bones and to make hormones and enzymes. Some of the best sources of protein include meat, fish and sea food.
In addition a nutrient-rich diet containing lots of above-ground vegetables can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check. What more could you want from a food type?
3. Get moving
Although your diet is by far the biggest player when it comes to losing weight, introducing exercise can help you to shake off extra pounds. Whilst exercising itself doesn’t actually burn many calories, it can help raise your metabolic rate so you do burn more energy over all.
Exercising causes the body to make chemicals (endorphins/encephalins) that can help you feel good and sleep better. Even short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleeping pattern. If you prefer to exercise in the evening, relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching can help promote sleep.
If you would like to find out more about how to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle, call our team today at 01727 834 365