Losing weight is one of the hardest issues people try to overcome. But in the end, it all comes down to one thing, eating less calories than you burn during the day. This is where a lot of confusion sets in and people tend to reduce their caloric intake too far. The result is usually quick weight loss but usually in the form of water or, worse yet, muscle loss.
It's at this point that people start to think that they have to eat even less and a really bad cycle of eating less and less begins. People start to think that cutting calories means "starving" themselves and then associate negative feelings to the entire process, but you really don't need to go on an extreme diet to burn fat. You just need to know how to do it right. Below are some following tips that will help you learn that you really do have to eat to burn fat.
Making Healthy Meal Substitutions to Burn Fat
Cutting back on calories shouldn't have to deprive you from your favorite flavors, just make healthier substitutions. For example, if you are craving something rich and chocolaty, instead of going for that pint of chocolate ice cream, opt for a healthier substitution like a fudgesicle or a bite sized piece of candy.
Picking a healthier alternative like a sugar-free Popsicle or low fat chocolate pudding will help you satisfy your craving without a guilty conscience.
Other good alternatives include consuming low fat dairy products instead of whole milk, lean meats like ground turkey instead of ground beef, air popped popcorn instead of potato chips, and whole fruits instead of high sugar content fruit juices.
Eating More in Order to Burn Fat
No, your eyes didn't cross, you read it right. Studies have proven that instead of eating 3 meals a day, eating 5-6 smaller meals a day can help you burn more fat.
By eating smaller and more frequent meals during the day, you do two things. First, you maintain a sense of being full throughout the day. This gives you a better chance of not increasing your daily caloric intake by sneaking snacks between your meals. Next, smaller meals will help to boost your metabolism which, in turn, will help you to burn calories faster and more effectively.
Burn More Fat by Increasing Your Caloric Needs
Although diet goes a long way to helping you burn fat, you can help things along by adding in some additional exercise during the day. If not having enough time to go to the gym or going for a run is what's keeping you from exercising, then look no further than the things you are already doing to help increase you caloric needs.
You can burn off calories while you are doing your chores around the house and doing yard work and gardening burns a surprising amount of calories per hour. It is possible to burn up to 700 calories just by mowing the lawn or planting your petunias.
If you have kids, take them to the park. You can burn calories just by pushing them on the swing, chasing after them and kicking or catching a ball around.
If you're running errands, instead of taking the elevator or escalator, take the stairs instead. Don't look for that parking space closes to your destination, park a little further away so you can burn some extra calories.
These may seem like insignificant ways to burn more calories, but if you add up the total calories used, they can have a huge effect on your total calorie burn for the day!
See, these are easy ways to burn more calories and start getting rid of fat. This change in lifestyle may not be easy to some people, so you may have to gradually make small changes into your everyday life to burn more calories. After a few weeks, you may be surprised to see how much calories and weight you've lost and can stop asking yourself how many calories to cut back on.
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Discover how getting rid of fat can be done quickly and permanently. Lowering your calorie consumption to extremely low levels is not a good way to lose weight. Learn how to eat to burn fat the right way and begin getting the results you are looking for.