Diet, after exercise, is the next major trick to lose belly fat. It is important to review what you eat, how much you eat and how you eat it. The reason is because the right nutrition fulfills the bodys energy requirements without adding any new fatty deposits. Here are 6 major tips to lose belly fat by cleaning out your diet and reforming your diet patterns.

 1. Maintain a Food Journal:
A food journal helps you adopt a disciplined approach to eating. It gives you what you eat and drink at a glance thereby allowing you to review it periodically. This food journal need not be very detailed. It should however list everything you eat and drink during the course of the day. It will also help you count calories effectively.

2. Read Ingredient Labels:
I always recommend eating fresh and home-cooked meals. However, there are a few food items that you might need to purchase readymade. In such cases, it is best to read the nutrient and ingredient labels printed on the packet or container. It will give you the exact amount of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, fats, sugar and sodium included in the food items and thus helps you make healthy food choices. When trying to lose belly fat, you should aim for the highest amount of proteins.

3. Opt for home-cooked meals:
Majority of the food on your platter should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead of visiting the section with the frozen and packaged foods, make a trip to the section that has the fresh produce on exhibit. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain nutrients and vitamins in their unprocessed forms.
Try to rearrange your schedule so that you get time to prepare your meals. This way you know what goes into your foods and you have a better control on your calorie intake. If you must buy canned foods, opt for the frozen foods.

4. Measure your food portions:
Eating the right portion sizes help trim belly fat by making sure you do not overeat. The first way to do so is by using a smaller plate for your meal. Besides this, you can use measuring cups, spoons and countertop food scales to measure solid and fluid food items.

5. Oils, condiments and seasoning:
Often people eat salads to trim their waistline. However, it doesnt help much. The reason is because even though the fruits and vegetables tossed into the salad are nutritious and low-calorie, the condiments, seasonings and dressings are what add additional calories. For your sandwiches and burgers, you can mustard or low-fat mayonnaise. Try to reduce the amount of sauce you eat as the sauce varieties available in the market and high in sodium and sugar. Olive oil, canola oil and sunflower oil are healthy varieties as far as their fat content is concerned.

6. Drink plenty of water:
Dehydration is a major cause of belly fat. This is because lack of water decelerates the metabolic rate. It also causes unnecessary bloating creating a bulgy appearance. You should always carry a bottle of water with you. It might be hard to down 8-10 glasses of water in a day if you are not particularly fond of it. You can start with less and add an additional glass every day.

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Cut calories and burn fat in the blink of an eye with these simple weight loss tips

By Emily G. W. Chau

Slice Your Food Exhibit A for why table manners ought to make a comeback: Cutting your food into smaller portions slows down your food intake, and it also visually tricks you to think that you’re eating more. Researchers from Japan’s National Food Research Institute found that people thought piles of sliced meats and veggies were 27 percent larger than when the food was kept in one piece. Satiety is affected by visual cues, so making your portions appear larger will help you feel satisfied with less.

Pick Pistachios

Researchers from University of Eastern Illinois say that when people eat this snack twice a week, they’re less likely to gain weight than those who don’t.

In a nutshell, the study also found that people who snacked on in-shell pistachios ate 50 percent less than those who ate the shelled kind, yet they reported feeling just as full and satisfied.

Weigh Yourself Daily

Think you can guesstimate how well you’re losing weight? Study after study shows that regularly stepping on the scale can help you drop pounds.  People who log weekly and daily weigh-ins lose about 12 to 18 pounds more than those who check less frequently, concludes a review study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Just Add Flax

Sprinkle this healthy extra on your oatmeal, casserole, or soup for a light, nutty kick, says Sari Greaves, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition Director at Step Ahead Weight Loss Center in Bedminster, NJ. The extra fiber will help fill you up for only 35 calories a tablespoon, and you’ll get the added benefits of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Dress Down

Take advantage of Casual Friday. A University of Wisconsin, La Crosse study found that people who wear jeans to work take 491 more steps a day than those in business wear.

Brush Immediately After DinnerBrush your teeth soon after you’ve finished supper. Traditionally, brushing your teeth is a signal to stop eating, so you’re primed to resist after-hours snacking. The essence of peppermint has been reported to suppress appetite, and cleaning your chompers with strong-tasting toothpaste may help distract your taste buds from craving another flavor.

Add Air

Whipped versions of classic foods contain more air per volumetric unit, so you’re eating fewer calories per serving. Choose whipped yogurt over the regular kind (save 30 calories) or whipped butter over sticks (save 50 calories). But remember, this doesn’t mean whipped cream is a health food.

Make Your Own Salad Dressing

Bottled dressings can be a nutritional nightmare—even 2 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing packs about 140 calories and 14 grams of fat. Instead, mix together a quick dressing that’s 2 parts lemon juice to 1 part oil.  Pour your homemade vinaigrette into a spray bottle and spritz on your salad for extra portion control.

Try Acupressure on Your Ear

Place your hunger on hold: The next time you have a hankering for a Mars bar, take your thumb and forefinger and squeeze the flap of skin that juts out by your ear canal (not your earlobe). Activating this pressure point may help curb cravings.

Switch Seats at the Dinner Table

Cornell researchers examined the eating habits of diners at a Chinese buffet and found that the fattest patrons tended to sit facing the serving area, while the skinniest sat with their backs to the food. Just seeing that you can get seconds may encourage you to eat more, so sit strategically during mealtime. Same goes for when you’re mixing and mingling at a party—talk facing away from the tables of food.

Trade Mayonnaise for Hummus

Hold the mayo and slap on some hummus instead, advises Greaves. The chickpea spread is just as creamy as mayonnaise, but you’ll save yourself about 70 calories per tablespoon.

Place a Measuring Cup in Your Pantry

Rather than eyeball portions, place a measuring cup in your pantry so that you’ll know exactly how much you’re doling out. Keep a serving of cereal to one cup, a portion of dry macaroni to ¼ cup.

Phone a Friend

Reach for the phone, not the potato skins, the next time you’re feeling blue. Emotional eating can spiral out of control really fast, so instead of turning towards food for a pick-me-up, dial a friend to vent or schedule some Frisbee to blow off some steam.

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Lifestyle changes can help reduce cholesterol, keep you off cholesterol-lowering medications or enhance the effect of your medications. Here are five lifestyle changes to get you started.

By Mayo Clinic staff

High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. You can reduce cholesterol with medications, but if youd rather make lifestyle changes to reduce cholesterol, you can try these five healthy lifestyle changes. If youre already taking medications, these changes can also improve their cholesterol-lowering effect.

1. Lose weight

Carrying some extra pounds — even just a few — contributes to high cholesterol. So losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds (about 2 to 5 kilograms) can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Start by taking an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine. Consider your challenges to weight loss — and ways to overcome them.

If you eat when youre bored or frustrated, take a walk instead. If you pick up fast food for lunch every day, pack something healthier from home. If youre sitting in front of the television, try munching on carrot sticks instead of potato chips as you watch. And, look for ways to incorporate more activity into your daily routine, such as using the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Take stock of what you currently eat and your physical activity level, and slowly work changes in.

2. Eat heart-healthy foods

Even if you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt, making a few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health.

§  Choose healthier fats. Saturated fats, found in red meat and dairy products, raise your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. As a general rule, you should get no more than 10 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. Instead, choose leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy and monounsaturated fats — found in olive, peanut and canola oils — for a healthier option.

§  Eliminate trans fats. Trans fat can be found in fried foods and many commercial baked products, such as cookies, crackers and snack cakes. But dont rely on packages that are labeled "trans fat-free." In the United States, if a food contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, it can be labeled "trans fat-free." Even though those amounts seem small, they can add up quickly if you eat a lot of foods that have a small amount of trans fat in them. Instead, read the ingredients list. You can tell if a food has trans fat in it if it contains partially hydrogenated oil.

§  Limit the cholesterol in your food. Aim for no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day — less than 200 mg if you have heart disease. The most concentrated sources of cholesterol include organ meats, egg yolks and whole milk products. Use lean cuts of meat, egg substitutes and skim milk instead.

§  Select whole grains. Various nutrients found in whole grains promote heart health. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice.

§  Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Snack on seasonal fruits. Experiment with veggie-based casseroles, soups and stir-fries. If you prefer dried fruit to fresh fruit, limit yourself to no more than a handful (about an ounce or two). Dried fruit tends to have more calories than does fresh fruit.

§  Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Some types of fish — such as salmon, mackerel and herring — are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, almonds and ground flaxseeds.

3. Exercise on most days of the week

Whether youre overweight or not, exercise can reduce cholesterol. Better yet, moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. With your doctors OK, work up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. Remember that adding physical activity, even in 10-minute intervals several times a day, can help you begin to lose weight. Just be sure that you can keep up the changes you decide to make. Consider:

§  Taking a brisk daily walk during your lunch hour

§  Riding your bike to work

§  Swimming laps

§  Playing a favorite sport

To stay motivated, find an exercise buddy or join an exercise group. And remember, any activity is helpful. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator or doing a few sit-ups while watching television can make a difference.

4. Quit smoking

If you smoke, stop. Quitting can improve your HDL cholesterol level. And the benefits dont end there. Just 20 minutes after quitting, your blood pressure decreases. Within 24 hours, your risk of a heart attack decreases. Within one year, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to someone who never smoked.

5. Drink alcohol only in moderation

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Stay Socially Aware:
Weight loss is aesthetic in nature and involves others perception of ourselves. Conjointly it should be the farthest from our primary focus. Obesity is an epidemic in the United States today with many teens and young adults struggling with weight issues.

Stigmas about social acceptance or weight control seem almost obscure.
Some diet for a specific body type or desire to emulate someone they admire albeit celebrity, athlete, etc. Social norms incoherently mask the true reason for weight loss: which is to live a happier and healthier lifespan.

Losing Weight Must Become A Lifestyle:
Unfortunately the best way to keep something routine is the make it mundane, ordinary, and just hard not to do. Incorporate your diet plan into your familys lifestyle by introducing new foods, having activities night like bowling, evening walks at the park or walking in your neighborhood. Everyone emphasizes fitness club memberships but this is the minority not the norm. Most successful weight loss transformations involve a home workout plan and diet transitions.

Mentally energize Yourself:
Weight loss forums are a great way to keep your mind engaged in the weight loss program youre involved in. Dieters all have a common goal; to become healthier, whether losing 20 pounds or 200 pounds. Losing weight is easier when you share daily activities with others, keeping you focused and positive. You can exchange tips, strategies and meal plans which make the diet process a lot easier. Each person is different; use variations of your weight loss program to keep your routine fresh and exciting. Social media sites are also a great way to exchange experiences. Visiting websites and browsing success stories will also keep you motivated.

Most importantly keep a positive frame of mind and the sky the limit.

Physically Prepare Yourself:
Sleeping 6-8 hours a day will increase the effectiveness of your program and allowing your cells to recharge. Incorporating cardio with weight lifting will increase your metabolism and fat burning. Stretching before and post workout is essential for injury prevention and increases flexibility. Perform self assessments every week to ensure youre progressing. Use any equipment that helps you be your best.
Sometimes using a knee brace or gloves goes along way to train weak muscles. Chart your strength gains and adjust your workout accordingly.

 Drink plenty of water and follow your diet plan. Take supplements before during and after workouts to improve performance while staying within your programs guidelines. Keep your body temperature warm with light cardio every workout to improve output.

Perform exercise motions weightless to ensure correct form which is very important when weight is increased. Utilizing this fundamental approach to weight loss keeps you plugged in and focused. Inclusively enjoy your weight loss program and most of all be positive.

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