“Are You Cheating On Your DIET?”

Everyone knows every diet has a weakness, last night I was cooking dinner for my family and was just fed up with the same meal I was going to eat…

What happens in that moment of weakness?

I craved the forbidden foods that I swore off when I started the plan…

Then I did what many others have done before me…

I cracked.

And then I did something that many others don’t.

I ate it and forgot it.

I indulged in what seemed like the BEST meal I have had in a long time!

And that’s the beauty of cheat meals, days, or weeks…

You give your body what it needs, then you move on.

You don’t let it fester…

You don’t feel guilty…

You just eat it, forget it…

And keep moving forward!

Now, getting back to the topic at hand.

Cheat meals may be important for more than just your brain…

Cheat Meals and Progress

No matter where you go, there is temptation lurking around every corner…

Especially when you’re dieting.

(Candy, cakes, doughnuts, junk food may quietly call your name)

Until one day it becomes a loud shout.

If you follow 90/10 rule…

You’re allowing yourself to indulge in a cheat meal, snack or day every so often may be ok.

Now, before you think you can go nuts on a cheat meal, think again!

In order to use a cheat meal to your benefit, there are certain things you need to look for.

First, they should be low to moderate in fat…

And should have good carbs…

Carbs that will help fat burning and normal digestion.

Helps you burn fat instead of putting it on.

Here are 6 evidence-based ways to lose belly fat…

Don’t eat sugar and avoid sugar-sweetened drinks

Eating more protein is a great long-term strategy to reduce belly fat

Cut carbs from your diet

Eat foods rich in fiber, especially viscous fiber

Exercise is very effective at reducing belly fat…

So what are some great snack options?

Well, I’m so glad you asked…

1. Plain Pizza

Now, before you second guess this one, hear me out.

A plain cheese pizza may provide healthy carbs and other nutrients that are important for health.

For example, take the tomato sauce.

Tomatoes are a natural source of the vitamin lycopene, which has been shown to boost heart and eye health.

Skip processed meats, sausages and pepperoni…

Top up with veggies and you may be adding a whole new dimension to your meal.

Have one or two slices to keep your total calories lower.

And still provides your body with vitamins and minerals it needs for proper functioning.

2. Strawberries – the Chocolate Covered Ones

Strawberries in and of themselves are a great low-calorie and low-fat food.

Packed with vitamins and minerals needed for overall cellular function.

Add a little bit of dark chocolate, and you may find a snack worth relishing.

Dark chocolate may possess powerful antioxidants and flavonols…

Perfect for fighting free radical damage (associated with normal cellular function)

Plus a diet high in refined carbs therefore promoting better cellular health.

And the vitamins and minerals already found in strawberries may give your body the one-two punch it needs to fight inflammation and protect cells in your body.

3. Guiness (dark beer)

Now, this one does not just mean Guiness itself, but dark beers in general.

Dark beer may contain more flavonols and antioxidants than light beer.

It could provide more clot-fighting, free radical scavenging and health-promoting benefits to your body.

Keep this in mind…

One beer should be all you need to gain all the benefits of the powerful nutrients in dark beer.

Too much beer may cause dehydration, hangovers, and even weight gain.

If You’re Going To Cheat…

When you’re dieting, some days are harder than others when it comes to sticking with the plan!

This rough patch is usually when it’s the hardest not to cheat on your diet…

Meaning eating that forbidden food that you’re not supposed to.

However, these types of days often called cheat days…

Are good and should be sporadically included in every plan to boost your motivation and fat burning.

These three foods listed above may be great cheat foods.

a) Provide nutrients your body can use

b) Limits the HUGE amounts of fat, sugar and calories.

Sometimes taking one day to have whatever you want could skyrocket your overall results.

Cheating on your diet could:

Accelerate your fat loss making it easier than ever to lose weight

Satisfy your cravings so you don’t go overboard when you do have them

Break up mundane life of eating the same food over and over again

Keep you from binge eating your favorite foods and desserts

Cheat days may be a vital component to help you stick with your fat loss plan.

As you can see to get rid of belly fat…

Cheat days are a much needed break to boredom.

It may set in with a normal diet plan.

Not only are you able to trick your body into boosting your metabolism…

And you may be able to squash cravings since you’re giving your body what it need.

Get Rid of Belly Fat

Your body is composed of two thirds water (70%) and you simply could not survive without proper hydration…

Water intake, it’s essential for almost all bodily functions from digestion, metabolism, waste removal and muscle contraction.

Before starting any form of exercise it is important to ensure you are properly hydrated to avoid the negative effects of dehydration on the body.

Proper hydration is especially important if you are undertaking high intensity training such as boot camps…

The greater the intensity of your workout, even more important it is to ensure adequate water intake is part of your exercise regime.

Water is an essential element to healthy lifestyle and plays an important role in your body.

Benefits of hydration include:

* Aids digestion
* Regulates temperature through sweating
* Helps to remove toxins from the body
* Transportation of nutrients
* Ensures joints and tissues are lubricated
* Increases oxygen availability to the cells

Athletes particularly, need to stay well hydrated to perform at their optimum level.

Inadequate water intake has been proven to have serious implications to the bodies skin, bones, joints, brain and muscle as well as affecting aerobic and anaerobic performance.

How much water should you drink?

Water is lost each day through your breath, urine, bowel movements and perspiration.

In order for your body to stay health, perform and function at its best, it is really important to replenish the water which is lost via sweat and body processes.

Your body needs to be adequately hydrated to effectively eliminate waste products and avoid waste build up, which can lead to increased acidity levels in the blood.

As a result of this build up, losing weight can become even more difficult…

If you don’t consume enough water, it will eventually lead to dehydration resulting in headaches, migraines, constipation, lethargy and lightheadedness or dizziness.

And ultimately affect your health, quality of lifestyle and training performance.

When exercising it is important to think about how much you drink.

Exercising regularly accelerates water loss…

So it is important for to monitor and if you are feeling dizzy or weak, it’s a sure sign you are not replenishing lost fluids.

This can be further exacerbated if exercising in hot and humid conditions.

Research shows that individuals should drink before, during and after a workout and depends on a number of factors:

* Your medical history
* Your Age
* Weather conditions
* Sweat loss
* Prescribed medications
* Your body size, weight and muscle mass
* Level of workout intensity

Specific fluid recommendations vary for each and every woman…

Generally speaking, its important to drink at very least 4-6 (8 oz) glasses of water per day.

Up to 1 liter of water per day is optimal especially if you’re exercising regularly.

For every hour of exercise you might need to drink 0.5 – 1 litre of extra water intake daily to avoid the effects of dehydration especially in hot weather conditions.

Below are basic guidelines to use as a starting point for women in good health.

Before exercise, it is important to drink fluids several hours before a workout to ensure sufficient fluid and electrolyte balance.

During exercise, working out at a high intensity requires greater water intake particularly if exceeding 45 minutes.

Some experts recommend drinking sports drinks…

As a better option to assist in replacing lost carbohydrates and electrolytes during a training session, suggest drinking a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, pear with spirulina.

After exercise, it is important after a workout to replace fluid lost during exercise.

It is recommended to consume water 30 minutes post workout.

How does hydration help fat loss?

As mentioned earlier adequate water intake is vital in eliminating waste from the body.

Research has shown that water has a positive effect on a woman’s metabolic rate and thus helps in improving weight loss.

Water promotes a thermogenic state which boosts your metabolism rate and increases your chances of success with losing weight.

Drinking water helps to reduce cravings for food as it works by reducing appetite.

Research has shown thirst and hunger are triggered simultaneously and if a woman is dehydrated this could be mistaken for hunger.

In actual fact, the body is actually craving fluid but because you can mistake this for hunger you’re driven to eat more food and not drink more water…

Leading to more weight gain.

If you are wanting to lose weight, you understand the benefits of drinking water and the recommended 4-6 glasses per day should be maintained.

And its a good habit to drink even more water if you are working out regularly.

Tips to staying well hydrated:

* Constantly monitor your hydration levels
* Avoid drinks such as soft drinks, tea and coffee that contain a high amount of carbohydrates (sugars) as this can prevent absorption of fluid into the bloodstream.
* Be aware of the possible symptoms of dehydration.
* Increase water intake during time of heat, humid conditions, increased training loads etc

Hydration and weight loss, health and beauty…

Top 10 Benefits of Drinking Water:

1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue – Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert.

As an added bonus, your energy levels are also boosted…

2. Promotes Weight Loss – Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger.

Hello natural appetite suppressant plus raises your metabolism and has zero calories…

3. Flushes Out Toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).

4. Improves Skin Complexion – Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around

5. Maintains Regularity – Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation.

6. Boosts Immune System – A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy the majority of the time?

Drinking water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks…

7. Natural Headache Remedy – Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines and back pains) which are commonly caused by dehydration.

8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains – Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

9. Puts You in a Good Mood – When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!

10. Save Money! – Water is free even if you choose bottled or filtered water, it’s STILL better and cheaper than high sugar and fat-filled latte.

Can a few extra glasses of water per day help you lose weight?

Can drinking lots of water help with weight loss?

Why is drinking water important for weight loss?

YES…water helps lose weight.

According to several studies, staying hydrated can help you lose a lot more weight.

Trust you enjoyed this article about proper hydration and tips for staying hydrated…

Hydration

Why your tummy still hurts?

The colon is a vital organ that many women tend to overlook when considering their health

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Embarrassing gas
• Painful bloating
• Cramping
• Painful bowel movements
• Hemorrhoids from extreme pushing
• Excessively bad smelling stool
• Burning acid reflux
• Excessive visits to the bathroom
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Colon cancer

Colon health, stomach pain and Indigestion

Looking for effective ways for weight loss, healthy digestion and keep a healthy colon?

Learn more with these diet detox tips which can help you, especially in reducing your risk for colon related illnesses.

Learn how to minimize your risk and if you want to experience a boost in energy and daily better health, an essential requirement is keeping your colorectal region clean and healthy.

Colon Health