The Brunette Diaries

Super foods that help you lose weight

They say eat less to weigh less, well, not always. There are some super foods that make you lose weight by their sheer nutritional value. Now let us understand what we mean by lose weight. Lose weight = lose fat, not muscle! Losing weight involves building muscle, in fact. The more you build muscle, the faster you will lose fat. Here are a few foods that help you lose weight, the fat weight that is…

(Also read – Kick-start your weight loss plan)

Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Well, it keeps the weight gain away as well! Apples are the ideal on-the-go low-calorie snack.

Steak

Organic beef is actually good for you! The protein in beef can actually help you gain muscle and increase your metabolism, which in turn, will help you burn more fat and lose weight.

Eggs

One more food item that stacks on protein is an egg. Eggs are usually most healthy when boiled and it helps you lose weight as it builds muscle.

(You may find this interesting – Diet tips for weight loss)

Oats

Oats are filled with fibre that is good for your digestive system. This will help you lose fat easier.

Lentils

This bona fide belly flattener helps prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.

(Try reading – Eat smart for easy weight loss)

Pomegranates

Besides being loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants, they’re low in calories and high in fibre.

Yogurt

Most dieticians suggest plain yogurt as a great diet food. The reason being it can stave off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady.

Avocado

Well, when you hear about the fat content in an avocado, you may be discouraged. However, this fat is monounsaturated fat and it increases satiety. Thus, preventing you from gorging on unnecessary junk food.

Olive oil

Just like avocado, olive oil also contains monounsaturated fat that increases satiety. Research has also shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties that prevents bloating.

Kick-start your weight loss plan

If you want to lose weight, you must reduce your calorie intake or burn your calories. Most people find it tedious to work on burning so many calories, so the easier way out is to reduce your intake. Usually, to lose a pound, you must reduce 3500 calories. But obviously, you shouldn’t reduce your calorie intake suddenly. Here we list a strategic way to start reducing your calorie intake to lose weight and maintain optimum health.

Weight loss goals can be achieved by reducing calorie intake

Eat eggs for breakfast

If you want to reduce your calorie intake for the day, try having eggs for breakfast. Dieticians claim, those who eat eggs for breakfast end up having 400 calories lesser than those who don’t. Try having boiled eggs rather than fried to reduce calorie intake further.

Cut out the soda

Sweetened sodas are high on calorific value and we’re not talking about the good calories. Sugars in soda can cause your blood sugar level to spike. Cutting out sodas from your diet will make you lose a significant amount of weight by reducing calorie intake.

Don’t eat in front of the television

Eating while entertainment is on will make you end up taking in more calories than you initially desired. Usually, when you pay attention to what you are eating, you are more likely to eat lesser.

Serve smaller portions

Our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. Parents have also taught us to finish what’s on our plate. Well, wouldn’t it be wiser to just serve ourselves lesser, if that’s the case? If you still feel hungry you can serve yourself again. But by serving yourself a smaller portion, you can easily monitor your calorie intake. Besides this, you can also try using a smaller plate.

Reduce sugar based confectionery

Sugar confectionery can throw your calorie count out the window

When it comes to taste, health is most often thrown out the window. Such treats are usually made with no intention of being healthy and thus must be a rare indulgence if you are looking to reduce calorie intake.

If you can follow this regimen to start off your ‘calorie deficit weight loss plan’ then you can surely give your metabolism a good jump start to prepare for serious weight loss.

You Can Dance To Lose Weight!

Are you one of those people who find hitting the gym or doing yoga boring? Are you looking out for an effective way of losing weight the fun way? Then, why don’t you try dancing! That’s right! Dancing works on the whole body – be it hands, legs, back, tummy. Moreover, you can choose a dance form that you’ll enjoy. Here we have a few dance styles that are popular for their calorie-burning, body toning characteristics.

Groove on Bollywood style

Bollywood dance is your Mecca if you love groovy numbers! Look no further than the Bollywood style of dancing to shed those extra kilos. Since this dance form is groovy and peppy, it is taking the world by rage. A combination of Bhangra with a little hip-hop and other modern Indian dances combine to form a pulsating session of workout.

Salsa for the lovebirds

There is nothing better if you have your beloved bucking you up at every step? Match him step-for-step while keeping him close as you both start on salsa lessons together. This dance form is perfect for keeping you fit. Through this you can meet new people or capture some memorable moments with your loved one. This cardio-intensive workout, with its many movements, will help you lose 10 calories by the minute. Thus, by the end of an hour, you would have lost an awesome 600 calories, and got some titillating moments with your loved one.

Go Zumba!

What about partying to lose weight and ditching your workout regime? Sounds interesting right? Add some spice to your daily workout schedules with Zumba. Imagine learning a little bit of salsa, calypso, belly dancing, samba and many such dance forms in just one amazing dance exercise. Zumba helps in cardio exercise blending all dance forms in one.

Put on your Ballerina shoes

Taking an inspiration from Black Swan? Make the best use of your ballerina shoes to good use and enroll in a ballet class. Improve your posture, get more flexible and build your hips, abdomen and thighs with this amazing dance form. Ballet definitely sounds more fun than lifting weights at your gym.

Cheat Codes To Look Thinner

A close friend’s wedding is coming up! All your attempts to lose weight have failed, and you’re getting panicky. You want to appear thinner instantly, without going to the gym in these last few days? And without those silly crash diets? Well, of course you do! Here’s how you can!

Stand up straight

Standing up straight will make you look thinner

When you improve your posture, not only do you visibly decrease your stomach fat, but you also gain confidence.

Wear proper fitting underwear

An ill fitting bra or underwear will make fat spill over. Wear the proper size and you will look a whole lot thinner.

Wear long fitting tops

Wearing a long fitting top or shirt will stretch out your torso and thus make you appear thinner.

Choose colours carefully

Avoid bright colours and patterns as they make you appear bigger than you are. Dark colours are known to make your heavier sections appear smaller.

Shoes should match your body

The shoes you wear should match your body type and size. If you are on the heavier side, try and look out for bulkier shoes, and don’t go in for slender heels!

Distract

Another way to appear thinner is to distract everybody from your body and make them notice either your face (for makeup tips read – How to enhance your best features using makeup ) or your hair (for hairstyle tips read – Hairstyles that can make you look stylish instantly!).

Size of clothes

Wear the right size of clothes. Do not go in for a larger size or anything too tight. If you try to squeeze into a size 12 if you’re a size 16, then you are surely going to accentuate your body fat, even the little that there is.

Stay away from horizontal striped tops/t-shirts

Don’t wear horizontal striped t-shirts or tops as they made you appear wider. But if they are vertically striped, they make you appear thinner.

(Also read – Mistakes that slow down your weight loss)

Jewellery

Match your jewellery to your body shape and size. If you are a big and/or tall person, wear a bigger size chain.

(Also read – Ways to get rid of cellulite)

Black clothes

If you don’t mind the colour, consider that black will always make you look thinner!