8 Of The Very Best Weight Loss Tips | Weight Loss slideshows | Well Being center

Lose weight for summer - intro

Year after year (after year) we make a resolution in January to be fit and fabulous by the time summer rolls around - and although we're good for a few months, those resolutions tend to slip by March or April. Now, it's time for a mad scramble to lose 10-20lb in time for summer so we feel the very best in our bikinis. Keep in mind though, that although we want to help you look and feel your very best in time for summer, if you follow these tips year-round, you'll be slinky and slim, even through the winter months!

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Eat more vegetables than fruit

It's widely known that we should eat at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Although fruits are better than chocolate - of course - veggies are even better than fruit! Fruit contains a lot of natural sugar, and although it's the right kind of sugar, if you eat too much in addition to your "normal" foods you might well find that you end up either gaining or maintaining your weight. It's usually much higher in calories than vegetables, too. Think of new, exciting, interesting ways to prepare vegetables so that you don't get bored - low fat broccoli and cauliflower cheese, spring greens fried in lean bacon, or roasted cherry tomatoes.

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Try water-based vegetables

Water-based vegetables are known as "speed foods" in some dieting communities - things like cucumber, celery, zucchini, radishes and spinach. They're what we call low calorie density foods, which means that gram for gram, they contain very few calories for the amount of food you actually get. These foods fill you up for very few calories - the best of both worlds! You don't go hungry and you get to take in plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Choose water-based fruits, too, like berries, watermelon and grapefruit. Eat with other low calorie foods, such as lean protein with your veggies or fat free yoghurt with your fruit.

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Wholegrains VS. white

We say this so often, but it's really one of the most important dieting tips that there is. Wholegrains are food products that are made with the whole of the grain. Nothing taken out, nothing added. Because they're made with all of the grain, they're packed with fiber. Fiber not only fills you up, but it helps your digestive system "move things along" - and going to the loo regularly is actually really important. Eating white food products, like white bread, crackers or pasta, will provide you with zero nutritional benefits. Plus, they cause blood sugar spikes, which can slow down your metabolism.

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Lovely lentils

Lentils are extremely cheap, extremely filling and they can also be extremely yummy, too, depending on what you do with them. They're a great weight loss food because they're packed with protein and fiber - two essential elements of any weight loss diet. They also release their energy slowly, and won't cause a blood sugar spike in the way that some other carbohydrates might, keeping your blood sugar levels stable and your metabolism chugging along nicely. Simply simmer with vegetables, stock and fresh herbs for a filling and healthy soup, or fry with onions, curry spices and a dash of low fat coconut milk for a delicious and nutritious curry.

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Plenty of protein

You must have heard of the Atkins diet, right? It's based on the concept that protein and fat are essential for weight loss and that we should limit the amount of carbohydrates that we eat. So far, so good. A protein rich diet that's fairly low in carbohydrates (you should definitely not cut them out all together) will provide your body with the energy it needs to help you burn fat. But protein doesn't have to come from meat - meat replacement products will usually do the same job, but you can also enjoy eggs, yoghurt and cottage cheese, too.

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High intensity exercise

We posted another slideshow recently with more details about High Intensity Exercise - also known as HIT or HIIT. It's fairly easy - you work as hard as you can for a period of 30 seconds to 3 minutes, then do an active rest for the same amount of time. For example, if you're training on an exercise bike, you'd pedal hard and fast, then slow to a gentle pedal for your active rest. This gets your heart rate up and into fat-burning mode quickly and effectively. Plus, studies have shown that this form of exercise can help with a whole host of health issues, including diabetes, blood sugar levels and high cholesterol.

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Drink enough water

One of the biggest dieting mistakes there is is not drinking enough water. Don't drink enough, and you won't go to the bathroom that often. And if you don't go to the bathroom that often? Your body won't get rid of all of those toxins. Silly as it sounds, if you up your intake to just two liters a day (not including tea, coffee, juice, milk or fizzy drinks) you might well find that the scales start shifting much more quickly. Water plays a hugely important part in our diet and without it, you might find it difficult to lose the weight.

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Know your plate

What size is your plate? A dinner plate? Side plate? If you always eat off of a dinner plate, consider switching to a side plate. Many of us eat everything that's on our plate and if there's more food on your plate, you're going to eat it all. Just switching to a smaller plate can drastically reduce your fat and calorie intake. Another general rule of thumb to use is the rule of thirds - one third fruit or veg, one third starch or carb, one third protein. This'll provide you with a healthy, balanced diet that's key for weight loss.

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Bonus tip: citrus fruits

Our final tip - and it's a goodie! - is to eat plenty of citrus fruits. They're a bit of a superfood, actually, as eating them can help remove toxins and undigested food matter from your body. They're also thought to cleanse the blood and give the cardiovascular system a boost, which is why they're often used in detoxing food plans. Slice up a few lemons, limes and grapefruits and pop them into a large jug. Top the jug up with water every time you want something to drink for your very own superfruit detoxing drink. It tastes delicious, too.