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Watching Your Waistline? Check Out These Weight Loss Tips for Women

March 17, 2016 by

Just about every website and magazine today claims to offer miracle diet tips, but the only real way to lose weight is by exercising regularly and watching what you eat. These smart (and realistic!) tips can help keep women on track to shedding those extra pounds.

  1. Determine your individual calorie intake. Sure, counting calories is important for everyone, but not every woman’s body requires the same amount of calories each day. Work with a doctor to determine your recommended daily amount based on your weight loss goals.
  2. Practice portion control. Even if your diet already consists of mainly lean meats, fruits, and veggies, many people go overboard when it comes to portion control. Measure out your portions beforehand to stay on track.
  3. Forgo diet treats. Every American supermarket is filled with “diet” versions of unhealthy treats, but in most cases, you’re better off opting for a smaller serving size of the real deal. That way, you won’t be tempted to overindulge.
  4. Balance cardio and strength workouts. Most people prefer one or the other when it comes to their gym habits, but it’s important to balance both types of exercise if you really want to lose weight.
  5. Amp up your workouts. Practice short bursts of intense activity, which burn far more calories and help you to lose weight faster.

Our 75 Best Tips for Losing Weight [Women’s Day]
7 Weight Loss Mistakes Even Healthy Women Make [Prevention]
7 Weight Loss Challenges and Tips for Women [ShareCare]

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What to Keep in Mind When Counting Calories

November 19, 2015 by

You know that counting calories is essential when it comes to losing weight, but do you really understand exactly what calories are? Here are a few things that you should understand about your caloric intake.

  1. Know the definition. A calorie is a term used to describe how much energy there is in a food. Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function, but excess calories turn into fat.
  2. Know your limit. Everyone has a different daily calorie limit, and it all depends on your sex, age, height, and weight. You’ll need to visit a doctor or find a chart online to determine your personal recommended daily intake.
  3. Create a calorie log. Keep track of how many calories you consume by recording your meals in a daily diary.
  4. Evenly distribute calories. Plan ahead of time so that you can split up your calories between each meal of the day. Be careful not to consume the majority of your calories in the morning, because you won’t have many remaining to "spend" on dinner.
  5. Beware of beverages. Many people don’t realize it, but the calories in drinks can really take a toll on your daily calorie limit. Be careful to record all of the beverages that you consume in addition to your meals.

Eat the Right Amount of Calories For You [Choose My Plate]
Estimated Calorie Requirements [WebMD]
American Cancer Society Calorie Counter [American Cancer Society]

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4 Health Benefits of Cardio Workouts

June 18, 2015 by

People need cardio workouts in order to improve your heart’s function and keep it strong and healthy, and lucky for you, it’s actually much easier to squeeze in a cardio workout than you might expect. Here are just four great health benefits of cardio exercise.

1) It improves your heart’s health.
The most important benefit of cardiovascular exercise is the positive effect that it has on your heart. Things like running or biking make your heart pump blood at a faster rate than normal, and because your heart is one big muscle, this strengthens it even after you stop exercising.

2) It improves your mood.
Because cardiovascular exercise releases hormones that fight off stress and promote a sense of well being, you might feel happier and more energetic after working out.

3) It increases your metabolic function.
The more intense the cardio exercise, the faster it makes your metabolism function. This helps to maintain your weight or even promote weight loss.

4) It decreases recovery time.
If you hate cardio and love strength training, you might want to reconsider. Jogging or walking after performing another workout is known to quicken your recovery time, making the day after a long workout much more comfortable on your body.

5 Great Benefits Of Cardiovascular Exercise! [BodyBuilding.com]
The Brain-Boosting Effects of Cardiovascular Exercise [Women’s Health]
Aerobic Exercise: Top 10 Reasons to Get Physical [Mayo Clinic]

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Chronic Oversleeper? Here’s How to Have More Energy in the Morning

August 21, 2014 by

No matter how many hours of sleep you get the night before, you always seem to wake up cranky, groggy, and plain old lethargic. If you’re the opposite of a morning person and just can’t seem to get it together when you first wake up, these effective tips will help to perk up your morning.

  1. Set your alarm to your favorite song. Hearing the funky beat of your favorite song is much more welcoming than hearing the blare of the alarm clock. Most newer models of alarm clocks offer features that enable you to play a song, and if you use your smartphone as an alarm, it’s even easier. Choose a song that’s upbeat and inspiring!
  2. Make the most of your morning coffee. Sure, drinking coffee in the morning isn’t the most innovative idea, but drinking it correctly is a whole different concept. To get the best results from that first jolt of caffeine, be sure to drink your coffee or tea within 15 minutes of waking up. This will help you to perform tasks like showering or eating breakfast with a little more pep in your step.
  3. Exercise after you wake up. This one requires a bit more discipline, but exercising in the morning is one of the best ways to feel more energetic for the rest of the day. Wake up an hour earlier and get those endorphins flowing.

10 Tips for Becoming a Morning Person [Real Simple]
11 Ways to Get More Energy in the Morning [Lifehack]
Solved – Your Personal Energy Crisis [Good Housekeeping]
11 Ways to Get Out of Bed Faster [Huffington Post]

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