Different Ways to Avoid Gaining Weight

If you are someone who struggles with weight gain then you know how hard it is to shift the pounds. It can be hard work to find a regime which will fit in with your life and trying out a short lived fad diet can be tempting stuff. But while stick thin celebrities are swearing by the new form of Atkins or just living off beetroot to stay in shape, you have to wonder how realistic it all is.

Stories like these may be exaggerated but it is easy to be strict on the sugar intake if you can afford a personal trainer and you don't work ten hours a day. Having children, a busy lifestyle or working long hours can make it hard to plan meals and fit in the gym. Feeling tired can tempt you into reaching for the cookie jar and lack of time means dialing for a takeout after a long day in the office.

There are many factors which result in becoming overweight. Pregnancy, comfort eating, cravings and eating to socialize are just a few of the problems. If you have always been big from childhood, it can be hard to be any different. But it can be possible.

Food Swaps

Planning ahead can be time consuming, but something as simple as making a list before heading to the super store can be a small change. If you tend to buy the same foods or cook the same meals, then now is a good time to be creative. Check out simple recipes online to get ideas on quick and simple meals which won't cost the earth. Opt for whole meal pasta and have it with a tomato based sauce, rather than white, refined carbohydrates and a high fat creamy sauce. Change regular potatoes for sweet potatoes which release energy at a slower pace and are better for you. Have a simple stir fry and throw in all of your favorite vegetables or left overs with noodles. Then for sugary cravings eat bananas, which are full of potassium and fantastic for an energy boost. Having dried fruit near to your desk, or a packet of nuts and seeds will ensure a healthy snack, rather than heading to the vending machine for that chocolate bar.

Planning your meals ahead will help you to make the conscious effort to be good. Swapping white carbohydrates for brown or whole grain, high fat dairy for the low fat versions and eating crackers and cottage cheese, rather than cookies and chips will all help in the long run. Cutting back on the amount of sugar you add to you coffee and avoiding that stodgy pudding after dinner will help you to feel good and stay in control of your new healthy lifestyle.

There are many different ways to eat lower fat foods and changing your eating habits will also help. Smaller portion sizes, less snacks in between meals and trying to avoid eating late in the evening after your last meal are all helpful hints. Trying to work it around you and your family can seem tough, but once you are in the habit, try to stick with it.

Add Some Exercise

Diet and exercise seem to come hand in hand to lose weight or maintain the weight loss. If you try out a fad diet and lose 14 pounds in a month, the chances are that once you go back to your old ways, it will pile back on again. Most of the first weight which is lost will be water rather than fat, so doing it at a slower rate will prove great final results. The word exercise can sound daunting or even quite dull, but it really doesn't have to be. There are many ways to get moving, and sometimes you are doing it without even realizing.

Doing the housework is a boring chore, but most of us get on and do it. But whilst you are dusting and vacuuming, think about the calories you could be burning. Pull in your tummy as you work, and see how toned you could get it.

Walk to the local store rather than drive. If you are just picking up a few bits, take a stroll out. Carrying home those shopping bags is like an equivalent to lifting weights, so get into the habit. Walk your kids to school once or twice a week if it is possible, to educate them into having a healthy lifestyle. Walk as much as you can and take out your pushbike at weekends. Do it with the family, a friend or a loved one for extra support. It will boost your mood and get you all out of the house.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, then maybe start a more advanced exercise program. If you are shy, then purchase some DVD's and do a workout in the comfort of your own home. If you have a games console which has sports games or workouts then play those too. Get the children involved to make it more fun. If you want to get serious, then maybe start some early morning jogs around the park. Take it slowly to begin with, then build up as you become fitter. If you are particularly overweight, then take advice from you doctor about how much you can do and what would be best for you personally. Swimming is good for supporting your body and uses all of the muscles. If doing a workout in the park or gym doesn't appeal, then take up a new sport. Find out what is in your community, such as soccer or even try dance classes.

Whether you just make subtle lifestyle changes, like going for walks at the weekend and cutting back on the pastries, it will benefit you in the long run. It isn't just about looking good, but being healthy and happy too.