Tag: Fast Weight Loss

Simply Sensational Diet Center Salads

The idea of healthy food immediately brings to mind delicious and beautiful salads that are not only healthy but Instagram-worthy. We put together a list of some of the best ways to create nutritious salads that will make meals a beautiful breeze and make staying with your Diet Center Weight Loss Program fresh and delicious.

Mix Up The Proteins

The quickest way to get bored and fall back into bad habits is eating the same thing all of the time. Not only do your taste buds sigh at the thought of another bite, but the body has something called “metabolic memory” that kicks in when you eat repetitively. Once our bodies get used to a certain set of nutrients, our metabolism works less efficiently to handle the load.

What this translates into ultimately, is a slowing of weight-loss results. The importance of variety is that the body is not able to develop a metabolic memory of a meal and it will work harder to process. The simple way of putting it: Eat different proteins for each meal to keep your metabolism running high.

To make things easier, we like to prepare servings of chicken, eggs, beef, etc. and seal each one in a baggie so that when it comes time to add some protein to a meal, it’s as simple as reaching into the fridge and pulling one out.

Tip: For longer shelf life, make enough for two weeks of meals and store half in the freezer. A quick thaw in the microwave and voila, protein!

Vibrant Vegetable Buffet

A recent article delved into the psychology behind why buffets and the sight of food is so enticing to us. One of the key findings is that the visual presentation of a variety of foods releases dopamine into our system. This harkens back to the caveman days when food was difficult to get and serves as a physiological reward for having achieved a biological imperative, to eat. The body is wired to have a positive response to the presentation of food.

Now, let’s translate this principle to how we make our salads. At the beginning of a week, take a container with compartments and chop your favorite salad vegetables into each bin. When it comes time to assemble a tasty lunch, you can simply drag out the container to easily pick and choose what inspires you each day.

The results are two-fold. Meals are so incredibly easy to make that weight-loss will be all the easier and you are training your body to have a positive response to healthy foods that will make you smile with how beautiful they are.

Fantastic Fats

Let us shout it from the rooftops, “Eating healthy fats is a necessary part of weight loss!’”. And when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Making your own salad dressing can be a fantastic way to save money as well as experiment with bold new flavors for your foods. We love to make our own dressing with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar and our favorite salt-free spice blends. If olive oil isn’t your thing, we also like to make healthy croutons to add a divine crunch when we are craving carb-y  goodness.

Restaurant-Worthy Croutons

1 serving | per serving: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
4 Melba® Toast
½ teaspoon butter
1 clove fresh garlic
Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Lemon Pepper seasoning (to taste)

Set oven to broil. Crush the Melba Toast to desired size and arrange on a small baking sheet. Melt butter with the garlic and Lemon Pepper seasoning in a small dish and brush mixture over crushed up toast. Broil croutons on the middle rack for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and remove. Wait 2 minutes and serve when ready.

That’s So Sweet

Don’t be afraid to add your favorite fruit to your salads to give them a new dimension of flavor. Adding more colors of the rainbow to your plate also means that you are increasing your phytonutrient intake. As you know, phytonutrients are essential chemical compounds produced by fruits and vegetables that can help prevent many of the factors that lead to chronic illness and disease. The more colors you eat, the stronger your health will be. So, like we said, don’t be afraid to throw a few blueberries or some vibrant kiwi into the mix for a salad that will make you smile.

Tip: Hate it when your fruit dries out in your lunch? Fold a damp paper towel over the top of your salad to keep it fresh and beautiful until you eat. 

Handful of Herbs

There’s no reason to skimp on flavor when fresh herbs are easily available at your local grocery store. Or better yet, grown right in your own garden! A quick handful of fresh basil, cilantro or any other seasonal herb can bring added dimension to your meal to keep your taste buds on their toes.

Herbs also have the additional benefit of being health powerhouses full of vitamins, antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Adding just a few extra ounces of herbs to your diet can help strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health, simply by eating!

Tip: Make fresh herbs last much longer by storing them in the fridge with stems submerged in water and covered loosely with a plastic bag. 

Weight Loss Blunders

Congratulations! You have taken the first step in your journey to better health. If you have tried to lose weight in the past, you’ve probably encountered some challenges along the way. Here are a few of the most common blunders people make while trying to lose weight and how you can avoid them.

Not Planning

The primary goal of a weekly meal plan is to maintain a healthy diet while avoiding the nutrition pitfalls of a busy schedule. By prioritizing preparing meals ahead of time, you will always have a healthy meal or snack choice on hand for when you are in a time crunch. Success rarely comes without a plan, and weight loss is no exception. With the Diet Center Food List in mind, begin searching for healthy recipes you will enjoy cooking and eating. Don’t forget our Facebook Page, website, and center cookbook contains hundreds of delicious, easy to prepare, on-plan recipes.  Base your programs around foods you love and watch your results skyrocket!

Not Seeking Support

Don’t be afraid to tell your family and friends that you have chosen to live a healthier lifestyle. You will find it much easier to avoid temptations and your friends will start inviting to go for a bike ride around town instead of going to get ice cream. This does not mean you have to stay at home for all of your meals!  You will can have TCBY, Starbucks, and even Mexican Food! While following your Diet Center Program you to can dine out and attend special events because you will have the tools you need to be able to stay accountable to your food plan. Your Diet Center Counselor will guide and support you when faced with challenging situations.

Not Eating Enough Protein (Or Too Much)

Protein is very important. It helps you stay fuller longer and helps to regulate your blood sugar levels to avoid insulin spikes and crashes. Your body requires protein; there is no doubt about that. Your body also needs starches, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. When you go overboard on protein consumption, you are missing out on vital nutrients essential to good health.

Thinking Exercise Will ‘Undo’ Poor Food Choices

Making the right dietary choices will always be 80-90% of your success. Most people think that doing 30 minutes on the elliptical will compensate for poor food choices. It doesn’t. A number of calories you burn through exercise is surprisingly small. This is one of the reasons the “Calories In vs Calories Out” weight-loss method is flawed. People over-estimate a number of calories they are burning and under-estimate a number of calories they are consuming. A balanced food plan that incorporates lean proteins, unrefined starches, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats will improve your metabolism and turn your body into a fat-burning machine.

Not Tracking

Maintaining a food journal is vital for successful weight loss. Recent studies conclude that regularly writing down everything we consume in a food journal may double weight-loss results! But not all journaling is created equal. Some people like to map out their meals ahead of time and just cross them off their journal as the week progresses. Others like to write each meal as it is consumed, either before or after they’ve eaten. Both methods are effective. Although food journaling apps are popular, Diet Center recommends that you put pen to paper and journal as your food is enjoyed. This makes you take the time to really think about what you are eating. It is also a great tool for repeating success. By recording what you eat you can identify successful periods as well as challenging situations.

Eating “Diet” Foods

If you want to lose weight, you have to eat a balanced diet that consists of REAL food. Just because a label says it’s low-fat or low-sugar, doesn’t mean that it is healthy. Often, companies will increase other unhealthy ingredients in an effort to make food taste better. For instance, when you see a label that says ‘low-fat’, typically it will contain high amounts of salt and sugar additives to make up for the flavor lost from the reduced fat. With Diet Center Midsouth, you eat fresh, everyday foods that you prepare yourself. This ensures that you have the tools to make healthy food choices to maintain your results once you have completed your program.

Always Doing The Same Routine

Variety truly is the spice of life and when you embrace variety in your food plan you will feel better, have more energy and achieve better weight-loss results. Don’t be a creature of habit, be adventurous and enjoy a variety of new foods daily and weekly, as a part of your balanced food plan. Sparking variation in your normal health routine and food plan helps to create lasting change for sustainable weight loss and long-term good health. Don’t fall into the habit of eating the same foods day in and day out. Our bodies naturally require diversity because no one food contains all the nutrients our bodies require, nor does one specific exercise target all parts of the body.

All of these weight-loss blunders are made with the best of intentions; however, you can easily learn how to avoid them by enrolling with Diet Center. You will be given all of the nutritional education and support required to help you successfully lose your excess weight and maintain your results long-term. Visit your local Center or give us a call at 901-259-TRIM to start living your Healthy Ever After!

Your Guide to Meal Timing, Frequency and Ratios

Ready for fast and easy results that will motivate you to stay with it until goal? Healthy eating begins with balance. You want to balance your food intake, increase variety and also be conscious of when and how much you are eating to get amazing results on the scale. Balancing the food on your plate, eating all of the food on your Diet Center plan daily and eating your meals at great times will lead to optimal weight-loss results.

What you eat is important, however, how much and why you eat is essential to your weight-loss success. At Diet Center we want you to have both rapid weight loss and lasting results. Proper portions, meal timing, ratios, not skipping meals and eating frequently heals your metabolism and prepares your body to burn stored fat for fuel and achieve lasting weight-loss results. Here are some helpful guidelines for Meal Timing and Frequency on your Diet Center Program.

Eat 30-45 Minutes After Waking

After a long night’s sleep, your body will require nourishment for energy. Diet Center recommends eating breakfast within 30-45 minutes of waking to provide your body with energy and help to prevent overeating later in the day. Before eating breakfast drink 8 to 16 ounces of water to prepare your bodily systems for the day. We recommend our 24 Hour Thermogenics Water Enhancer to boost metabolism and provide great appetite suppression. Eat a hearty breakfast consisting of lean protein, a healthy fat and an unrefined carbohydrate to keep you fuller longer! Diet Center products can also provide a variety of choices for easy-to-prepare breakfasts.

Eat Frequently

To keep your body energized and your metabolism functioning optimally, we recommend you eat every 2-3 hours. When you delay eating or skip meals, your insulin levels spike, which can result in added insulin in your blood stream, cravings and eventually lead to weight gain. When insulin levels are in balance, your body won’t go into starvation mode and blood sugar levels stay balanced.

Eat 2/3 of Your Food Before Bed

To assist with cravings and control overeating, enjoy your breakfast, lunch and snacks within the first 9 hours of your day. Finish eating all of your food for the day within 2 hours of going to bed. We also recommend eating your starch and fruit servings early in the day to ensure your body will digest them properly throughout your day. Also be sure you are taking your Carb Blockers to assist with reducing cravings, decreasing hunger and increased fat burning.

Eat Everything on Your Plate

Contrary to many weight-loss myths, skipping meals or leaving food on your plate does not equate to healthy and consistent weight loss. You must eat to lose! Eat all the food allotted on your plan to experience fast and healthy weight-loss results. These foods are specifically designed to boost your metabolism and create thermogenesis—or the creation of heat—in the body. This process allows your body to burn fat for fuel and shed excess weight in a fast and healthy manner. Count nutrients and not calories. Nourish yourself and nourish your health.

Eat Proper Ratios

Obtaining the optimal ratio of food groups at every meal is essential for weight-loss success because you are allowing your body to balance blood sugar and weight-related hormones. Proper ratios will also spark thermogenesis in the body. Use a food scale when preparing meals in the home to “check” yourself. Under eating can cause your metabolism and fat burning factors to slow—so make sure you are getting enough!

Eat frequently, eat balanced portions and eat everything on your plate! These simple rules are essential to helping ensure you lose your weight and lose it all! Your Diet Center Counselor will be glad to help with meal planning and an eating schedule to maximize your personal metabolism and lifestyle needs. Let’s do it together!

How Important is Working Out to Weight Loss?

We’ve all had thoughts like “If I work out really hard now, I can eat that pizza later. Right?” Well, no. Working out does not give you a free pass to eat whatever you want if you’re looking to shed those extra pounds. Consuming fresh foods in balance is the key to weight-loss success, exercise plays a much smaller role than you may think.

Now we aren’t saying that exercise isn’t important; it’s just not as important as what you are eating when it comes to losing weight. Exercise is great for over-all good health. It helps reduce the risk of stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and heart attack. It also helps to torch more calories to enhance your weight loss efforts and tones your body as you are losing inches. However, when it comes to weight loss; it can’t erase the harmful effects of unhealthy foods. Here are some reasons why exercise isn’t the ‘magic pill’ that many people believe it is.

A number of calories burnt through exercise are relatively small in the grand scheme of things. We use up most of our calories just by being alive (the resting metabolic rate). To put it in a real-life scenario, let’s say there is a 200-pound man who is at 30% body fat. He will expend 1,743 calories per day just by staying alive.

On top of that, he’ll expend more calories on top of that through what’s known as the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF): the number of calories that he spends digesting and absorbing his nutrients from food. This accounts for about 10% of total calorie use. It’s even higher on the Diet Center Thermogenic Plan, where foods are specially selected because of their higher fat burning power.

Add another 10% on top of that through a metabolic process known as NEAT (Non-Exercise Adaptive Thermogenesis). This is the amount of calories used by doing things like fidgeting. Unfortunately, this can vary greatly from individual to individual.

This means our subject could expend 2,100 calories without even getting out of bed. Now, add another 10% for getting out of bed and going about his daily routine and he’s already burned 2,300 calories.

Adding exercise into the equation barely makes a dent in his overall caloric expenditure. Now we are not suggesting that you shouldn’t exercise, but rather, it’s important to realize where a majority of your caloric expenditure is coming from.

Not all calories are created equal. A pound of fat is 3500 calories. If you eat 500 calories less than you burn every day, then after a week (7×500 = 3500) you will have lost a pound of fat.

From this simple equation comes the idea that all calories are created equal, no matter what foods they come from. The fact is that different foods can have vastly different effects on our bodies and go through different metabolic pathways before they’re turned into energy. Just focusing on the calorie content of foods and disregarding the metabolic effects they have is a highly flawed way of thinking. Two hundred calories of broccoli is NOT the same as two hundred calories of potato chips.

Most people are horrible estimators of calories in vs. calories out. Yes, it’s important that you are burning more calories than you are consuming in order to lose weight. There is one problem with this method: user error. People either think they are burning more calories or consuming fewer calories than they really are. The grab-a-handfuls and the Hershey Kiss at the office all add up. A structured food plan with accountability closes this gap and provides results.

Movement is important and that should be the primary focus when looking to drop pounds and inches fast.  Save the weights for when you are closer to goal and focus on movement that helps to reset your day.  Park further in the parking lot, do a light 30 minute walk or swim.  This will help boost metabolism and blast the inches away fast in conjunction with your program.

At Diet Center, our focus is on eating quality, whole fresh foods. It is important that you learn about how to address the causes of weight gain and how to ensure your body is receiving the proper nutrients. Once you have an understanding of that and start to see the weight start to drop, you will feel so good and have so much energy that you will enjoy being more active.

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