Top 10 Weight Loss Tips

The issue of weight is as big as it's ever been. Throughout the world, there are many people who are struggling with this issue and are at a higher risk for many health problems. Some of these problems are only minor, like the common cold and achy knees and joints. Other health risks that overweight people are more susceptible to are very concerning, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The road to weight loss is not an easy one. There will be times when you will simply want to give up. Besides from regular exercises and appropriate food selection, it is also important to have the discipline and dedication to stick to your diet program. Losing weight is a commitment that one must make in all areas of their life and it is likely a commitment that needs to be made over a long term to eliminate possibilities of the weight returning. Understand that a weight loss program is not a linear process. Your body weight may go up or down over a given period of time. Still, you should aim to have more pounds lost than gained. For every pound gained, your goal should be to lose two. In this way, you will progress and be closer to your desired weight. Here are our top 10 tips to get you closer to your desired weight:

1. Increase the non-soluble fiber variety of foods in your diet. Most people think of fruits and vegetables when they think about fiber, but actually it is the fiber in wheat bran (choker) which weight loss specialists talk about when they want to suggest fiber. The fiber in fruits and vegetables, though quite useful, is in much lesser quantity. One can add 1 teaspoon of wheat bran per roti (chapati) or boil 1 teaspoon of wheat bran in milk (skimmed milk) and have it at night.

2. Drink hot water through out the day. One can drink 4 to 6 glasses of hot water through out the day to aid digestion and weight loss. Adding a pinch of fennel (saunf) or elaichi (cardamom) will make it easier to have the hot water and will also help you loose weight quickly.

3. Substitute roti (chapati) with dalia (porridge). Roti is refined wheat and dalia is unrefined wheat, if one eats vegetable dalia instead of roti for one meal, it goes a long way to cut down the weight. One can make vegetable dalia with chopped peas, onions, tomato, cauliflower and beans. It is not only sumptuous to look at but also very delicious.

4. Cut down on milk, curd and paneer as it is very kapha in nature and thereby may be fattening in winters. To increase the calcium intake include a teaspoon of flaxseed and half a teaspoon of black sesame seeds (kala til) in your diet.

5. Take half a teaspoon of amla (Indian gooseberry) powder with water every morning on an empty stomach. Amla is excellent for improving the liver function which is important for metabolism. A weak or sluggish liver is ultimately responsible for fat accumulation.

6. Have raw carrots, tomatoes and radish (mooli). These raw foods also are rich in enzymes which provide the extra metabolizing power to the liver to help in fat breakdown. Cooking these vegetables decrease their nutritive value.

7. Light dinners are the key to weight loss. No other way is so effective as much as light dinners. When we say light dinners, it is basically means no cereals or pulses but only vegetables, soups and salads (especially for women).

8. Maintain a food diary. Food diary is one of the extremely important aspects of weight loss which is frequently neglected.

9. Avoid sugar completely if you can. One should also avoid the diet drinks as they are full of salt and other chemicals which hinder weight loss.

10. Finally, Dont be greedy, be patient. If you are giving input of 70% then you do not have the right to desire 150%, so your desires should match your efforts.

You can and will Beat the Bulge! All it takes is a little determination and proper guidance. Good luck!