Sparky’s Top 10 Weight Loss Tips

I don’t consider myself a true success story yet. I feel like maybe a semi success story going from 260 to 200 in 3 years and keeping it around 200 and not gaining it back is what I am the most proud. My goal is about 190 and then I will be ready for the success story section of GetFitMississippi. It’s going to be a tough 10 pounds.

What I have gathered over the years is a lot of knowledge about what it takes to lose weight. Knowledge is power as they say, but you have to put that knowledge to work and if you follow these suggestions, you will lose weight:

1) EXERCISE! It’s number one, because if you do it consistently you will lose weight and it’s true that you will feel better. All the fat you have gained will not go away unless you burn it off. Aerobic type exercise (exercise that gets your heart rate up) for at least 20 minutes is the best way to burn the fat, but strength training and stretching are great for the muscles. Start a routine and stick with it.

2) EAT THE RIGHT FOODS! Low glycemic carbs do not turn into fat as bad as high GI carbs. Print out the Glycemic Index and stay away from the high foods. Fruits, vegetables, low saturated fat foods, low saturated fat proteins are good, sweets are bad, fried foods are bad. You know what you have to do.

3) EAT LESS PORTIONS! Take whatever you are eating now and get back about let’s say 300 calories a day. Only have 1 helping, no seconds.

4) EAT OUT LESS! I love to go out to eat, but restaurant food is fattening. They give you too much; the calorie count is off the charts. I counted calories for a while and every restaurant visit was always my highest day. I personally am not going to stop going out to eat, I love food to much, but it will kill a good week of doing the right thing. I think this is why I can’t make it to 190.

5) EAT MORE LOW SATURATED FAT PROTEIN! Chicken (not Fried), Pork, Ham, Fish, Protein Shakes, and Soy are good. My favorite proteins Beef are not good, but I am going to keep eating it, just in small portions

6) DRINK MORE WATER! It fills you up. Your body can’t live without it. It has 0 calories.

7) EAT 5 TIMES A DAY! By doing this you keep your metabolisms working and if you are eating the right foods as stated above, your metabolism is using the foods you eat consistently and not storing it. 3 meals around 600 calories 2 snacks around 300.

8) KEEP MOVING! Working in the yard, climbing stairs at work, walking around the mall, weeding the garden, clean the tub, lift some dumbbells will watching TV. Try not to sit for very long. Any activity keeps the metabolism working and burning fat, not storing it.

9) DON’T SAY YOU ARE HUNGRY! When you are trying to lose weight and eating less, you are bound to be hungry all the time, but if you don’t acknowledge to yourself that you are, then maybe your not.

10) KEEP LOGGING INTO GETFITMISSISSIPPI! This web site has more information about losing weight than any national site. It’s local people with some great ideas and helpful hints. Make it a habit to log on and click on anything in there. We need the inspiration.