The Secret To Successful Weight Loss? Let Your Body Fat Do The Talking...
No woman’s body fat is the same. Whilst a best friend might guzzle pies, cakes and crisps without so much as gaining an extra ounce, you may feel just looking at a slice of chocolate cake will add unwanted body fat onto your hips, thighs or stomach.
In fact, a recent 'Weight of the Nation' survey carried out by LIPObind reveals;
* 83% of Briton's would like to lose weight.
* Almost a quarter wish they could lose 2 or more stone.
* Over half of women dislike their body shape.
* 42% of women avoid wearing tight fitting clothes because of bloating or excess weight.
* Three quarters of us have failed every diet we've ever tried due to lack of will power, temptation, a hectic and stressful lifestyle and over eating.
According to experts however, the age of the one size fits all, miracle diet is over. In fact fad diets can do more harm than good and lead to years of recurring yo-yo dieting.
Instead it’s not what we eat but how and when we eat, as well as understanding the motivations behind food choices that can be the secret to successful, sustained weight loss.
Nutritionist and psychotherapist Mary Strugar says, "Many of us set unrealistic goals when it comes to weight loss, which is why so many of us give up on new healthy eating resolutions within the first month. Personal habits and listening to your body can play a key role in the ability to manage weight effectively".
Before you make a drastic change to your eating habits, just take some time to look at what your body fat says about you and your lifestyle:
Problem area - Stomach: You gain pleasure from forbidden food and often use it as a reward, especially at weekends as a special ‘treat’.
Settling into the sofa with a glass of wine and a large chocolate bar after a stressful day at the office is your idea of heaven; however consider the effect that excess sugar and fat has on your belly and overall health.
In our fat-obsessed world, it's easy to forget that sugary foods aren’t good for us, not only can too much cause obesity and dental problems, but it plays havoc with your energy levels, too leading to a never-ending cycle.
Plus, health experts now believe that your waist size, rather than your overall weight can be an early indicator of heart disease.
Problem area - Bum & Thighs: Wobbly thighs and dimpled buttocks seem to be the commonplace affliction amongst modern women.
Sadly, the main cause for these stubborn fatty deposits are often down to genes, however they can be a sign that your body is producing too much oestrogen or entering the body via man-made oestrogens, found in birth control pills, plastic bottles and poor quality meat like burgers and sausages.
Drastic surgery is not the answer, instead eat an antioxidant rich diet and cut down on red meat.
Problem area - Sides & Back: Whilst medical reasons out of your control, such as thyroid problems can contribute to excess body fat on the sides and back, the simple cause can often be an issue of portion size and over indulging in your favourite foods.
Subconsciously grazing on food throughout the day, regardless of hunger and not exercising enough go hand in hand leading to this body fat issue.
Problem area - Knees & Ankles: A relatively modern body issue, ‘cankles’ and knee fat are fast becoming a cause of concern amongst body conscious women.
The most likely cause is often not solely down to excess fat, but for many women who live a fast-paced, stressful life, a constant lack of time means they rely on unhealthy convenience food, eating it on the go leading to poor circulation, water retention and poor diet.
Problem area - Hips: The trend for skinny hipster jeans can be a fashion nightmare for women with a classic ‘pear shape’, a smaller top half and larger bottom.
However a build up of fat around the hips can be a sign that your body is producing too much insulin and a potential warning sign of diabetes.
Watch your carb cravings and instead, switch to wholemeal versions of bread and pasta and cut out sugary foods and drinks to keep the weight off the hips.
A reliance on processed and convenience foods means many people are often unaware of the high volume of fat and calories in their daily diet.
Tagged in Health