Throw Away The Scales
| Yes, you heard me, GET RID OF THE DAMN THING!!!!
Did you watch ‘The Biggest Loser’ this week? Poor Dave worked so hard, ate well and put on weight. Can you believe it? Did you see how devastated he was? Have you ever had this happen to you so you have just given up because you did not think that the hard work was worth it? Why we let a number on the scales determine how we feel? I will let you in on a little secret “The scales do lie”. Meaning, there will be times when your body weight goes up, and your body fat goes down. That is just how it is! You will be burning fat and some of you, a lot of it. You will be putting on muscle. You will be decreasing the size of your waist, legs, shoulders, etc…Bottom line; you are burning fat from somewhere on your body. You don’t get to choose where your body you will burn the fat from, but rest assured, if you are following exactly what your slim coach is telling you, working hard on continually moving and training hard, you will burn fat. If you are working out on a regular basis you have more muscle. Does muscle weigh more than fat? Well, not exactly … I mean a kg of muscle weighs a kg AND a kg of fat weighs a kg. So why do you always hear muscle weighs more than fat? Think of it this way – A kg of muscle is denser, firmer and takes up less space. Isn’t that really your goal … to be firmer and take up less space? Why do we get so caught up on a number? Does this sound familiar? “How come the scale isn’t moving? I am smaller, and my pants are looser or I know I am losing fat, but the scale says (‘gasp’!) that I gained weight!!” If you are decreasing size and getting smaller, and know for a fact that you are burning fat, but you are still hung up on what your scale says…please, do yourself a favor, throw away your scales, and do it now. The only time you should see a number on the scales is during your slim appointment. Stop Letting this number rule your life and control how you think about yourself. Be proud of your efforts and know that your body is changing in positive ways. If you want to measure success there are better tools than the scales.
If you are following an exercise and thy eating program, you will put on muscle, you will burn fat, and you will probably retain water. You also will get fitter, stronger and leaner. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE SCALES!! One more thing, you cannot expect to drop fat every single week. Your body will resist a lot. You have to keep changing things up so it does not get comfortable. Once your body reaches a state of efficiency, you will stop losing. Change it up. |
It is time to change your attitude. You are on a health & fitness journey and are making permanent changes. Why let a number determine your true results?
‘The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results’.
- Anthony Robbins
Dee Britton
Beat Fat With Breakfast
By Holly Rigsby, CPT
Breakfast is easily the most overlooked solution when it comes to effective fat burning tips. Studies consistently show that people, who regularly eat breakfast, eat fewer calories throughout the day, have better nutritional habits, and weigh less than those who choose to skip breakfast.
When it comes to your fat loss, your goal is to make your body burn more calories. Your metabolism is like a burning fire, how can you make the fire burn stronger without putting something on it to burn? Our bodies are burning fat and calories 24 hours a day, however, calories are burned at the slowest rate while we are sleeping. Without something to jump-start it in the morning, your metabolism may remain in slow motion throughout the day and any extra calories – no matter how healthy – will be stored as fat. 
The act of eating and digesting supportive foods frequently, increases your metabolism so you can burn more fat and calories all day long.
How to do it: Eat a supportive meal within an hour of waking. Feel like your always running late? No time to eat? The secret – get up 10-20 minutes earlier and keep it simple. Not only can you increase time spent with your family at the kitchen table, but making time to start your day off with a high protein, high fiber breakfast will boost your metabolism, your energy and your mood. Because breakfast provides you with the energy you need to get through your day, the more energy you have, the more active you’ll be and the more active you are, the more calories you burn.
If you are not hungry first thing in the morning, try starting your day with a big glass of water or freshly brewed green tea. Proceed with your morning routine and plan to allow yourself about 10-15 minutes before you walk out the door to eat your breakfast.
If you like to exercise first thing in the morning, eat 30 to 45 minutes before your workout.
Try one of the following options:
1. Eat a light snack – yogurt or a piece of fruit. Eat your regular breakfast 30-45 minutes after your workout.
2. Eat half of your regular breakfast before the workout and the other half about 30-45 minutes after your workout.
3. Drink a meal replacement shake – quick and easy to make and for your body too digest.
Watch out for “Protein/Breakfast Bars”. Many of these items seem appealing for they are quick and easy; however the majority of these bars are loaded with sugar and fat. Check the nutrition facts.
Here are some breakfast fat loss favorites: Cereal is a MUST. It’s convenient, easy to prepare, easy to eat and full of nutrients – No…”Whole Grain Lucky Charm” does not fall into this category. Be sure to choose your cereals based on the information on the food label.
The top choices should have:
• 5 grams of Fiber or more
• 8 grams of Sugar or LESS
• Sugar not listed among the first 3 ingredients.
For all other breakfast options, be sure to include a protein, complex carbohydrate, and fresh or frozen fruit. These are some of my favorites:
• Oatmeal with natural peanut butter, cinnamon and a side of fresh berries.
• Kashi Go Lean Crunch with skim milk and a banana.
• Scrambled egg whites topped with salsa and shredded cheese wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.
• Meal Replacement Shake with a piece of fruit.
So if you’re interested in fat loss, make sure you don’t forget – breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
About the Author
Holly Rigsby is a nationally recognized women’s fitness coach, certified personal trainer (CPT) and the author of the internationally popular e-book – Fit Yummy Mummy – Burn Your Baby Fat & Get Your Body Back. Go to Fit Yummy Mummy to get your FREE copy of her special report: “The Five Ways To Boost Your Metabolism.”
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