Valecia Weeks is licensed through the state of Texas as a therapeutic massage therapist who specializes in providing on-site chair massage for corporations and events. She currently provides massage for such organizations as the Houston Ballet and Houston Methodist Hospital. Valecia is also a certified personal trainer with NESTA,as well as a licensed ZUMBA instructor
Ok, busy ladies, here we are at March already. And if you are like me, your first quarter has been off to a fast start and has not slowed down. I have a question; have you really truly stuck with the fitness goals that you originally set on January 1, 2016? After indulging in all of the food that was available for the holidays between November and December, many of us ladies strongly declare to start and end the New Year with healthier eating habits, which, of course, usually means shedding a few pounds. Unfortunately, even the most health-savvy divas can get caught up in diet “he-say, she-say”, better known as “diet myths” that ultimately sabotage fitness and weight loss goals. Weight loss does not have to be as complex as some may think it is. There is sooooooo much weigh loss information floating around that some information may conflict with other information. Listed here are a few “myths” that can be busted now that we are headed to the second quarter of the year. These should help you to get back on track with carrying out your fitness goals that were set on January 1.
Make it work: A great recommendation is to stick with foods naturally high in fiber-whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. They tend to be lower-calorie and take up more room in the stomach than processed foods with fiber.
MYTH: No sweets before noon
Not only is it recommended that you eat healthy foods before noon, but researchers have found that a group of individuals who ate a 600-calorie carb and protein-rich breakfast
which included dessert, such as chocolate or ice cream, lost more weight over four months (and kept more off the following four months) than a group that ate a low-carb morning meal. Dessert for breakfast sounds so sinful but if you eat a very satisfying breakfast, it may last you so that you are not consuming as much food during the other two meals of the day.
MYTH: Longer workouts will burn more calories
You may assume that going longer is always better–especially when it comes to weight loss. Surprisingly, some studies show that those who exercise less will sometimes lose more weight. What’s the catch? Sometimes when you exercise longer, you will end up eating more throughout the day than if you were moderately exercising. In other words, the longer you exercise, the more likely you are to overcompensate for it.
MYTH: Cut all fat
Fat is the most calorie-dense nutrient, so wouldn’t it make sense to assume that eating less of it would help you lose weight? WRONG… slashing your fat intake may have the opposite effect. Cutting back on fat can affect hormones essential to keeping cholesterol and insulin in check. The body needs a moderate amount of fat because for one, it’s an important fuel source for exercise. If you don’t consume enough, your body will burn muscle.
Remember, it’s a lifestyle change. Diets offer a quick way to lose weight but rarely offer long-term solutions. Think of nutritional plans as just that–plans to rethink your eating patterns permanently.
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