5 Easy Ways to Lose Weight This Summer!!

FG10 takes you through the top five ways to lose weight this summer include tips that can be easily added to anyone's lifestyle, with minimal effort.

1. Pick Up Your Pace

Walk, clean, dance, and get moving if you want to lose weight. Summer months are the perfect time pick up the pace and start to move around. The longer hours of daylight can encourage more physical activity that the darker winter days and evenings in front of the computer or televisions set. Thinking about losing weight, or even dieting while spending 8 hours a day sitting in a chair, will not work.

The best part about moving more is that there are so many easy ways to include more movement in your life. Turning on the radio and dancing a bit, while washing the dishes, or getting outside to mow the lawn will boost your metabolism. House cleaning becomes more interesting when calories can be burned on a three-our floor washing and closet cleaning adventure. It is easier to include short spurts of activity into the day for many people, rather than find the time for a scheduled aerobics class at the gym. Moving in some way, every hour for 10 minutes will add 80 minutes of physical movement and in a day. An after dinner walk for 30 minutes around the neighborhood can provide many health benefits, aside from weight loss.

2. Lose the Soda

Put down the soda, even the diet brands. Sometimes even the word "diet" written on a soda can, can be a reminder that a person is focused on weight issues. This may not be the case when health concerns require diet soda, but many people seem to struggle with the misconception that diet soda will somehow help with weight loss. Switching to water will help to rehydrate the body. Water is also a key component for weight loss. Drinking water with meals will help with digestion and add zero calories, caffeine, or artifical sweeteners to the body. There are also many new water based beverages on the market that may be helpful. FUZE Healthy Infuzions has a line of FUZE Slenderize beverages that contain between 5 and 10 calories, and multiple vitamins.

3. Be a Kid Again

Get outdoors, go camping, or go to an amusement park this summer to lose a few pounds. There is nothing better than burning up calories while having some good, old-fashioned fun. Instead of sitting on the deck watching the kids play in the yard, join in the outdoor games. Another option for some people who enjoy sports might be to join a summer volleyball league, or take up tennis.

Swimming is a great activity for nearly every level of fitness. Combining a walk with a swim afterwards will give a double boost to the metabolism. Most kids know how to enjoy the summer and stay active. Adults tend to forget how to "play," though the benefits can be both physical and psychological. Be a kid again this summer if you want to burn off some extra calories.

4. Load up on Fresh Summer Vegetables and Fruits

Fresh vegetables and fruits are some of summer's best healthy treasures. Adding more fruits and vegetables to the diet will add health benefits, while providing lower calorie nutrition. Most fruits and vegetables can be eaten without restriction, without worrying about adding too many extra calories.

Shop at the local farmers market or check the nearby grocery store to see if it sells locally grown fruits and vegetables. This not only helps with efforts to "go green," but the freshest fruits and vegetables will be those that are locally grown. Try adding meal cominations to your diet by doubling the fruit and vegetable portions and cutting the meat portion in half. Have two vegetables and a smaller portion of meat, with a fruit dessert to maximize the health benefits and weight loss efforts.

5. Clean out the Cupboards

Before starting any efforts to lose weight, clean out the cupboards. Donate extra snacks and junk foods to a local food pantry and get rid of high calorie midnight munchies. Make a pledge to keep the kitchen free of high calorie foods out of the kitchen for the summer. This will lower the temptation to grab a snack that works against losing weight. When the urge for a treat arises, go to the store to buy it, or grab an ice cream cone at your favorite ice cream shop.

The goal of losing weight by using these five suggestions is to develop a healthier lifestyle that will naturally promote weight loss, or weight maintenance. Gradual changes can have lasting effects that will win in the long run over the latest fad diet.

20 Ways to Lose Weight After the Holidays!!

Guilty of overeating during the holidays? Here are 20 simple ways to beat weight gain.

1. Drink water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like noshing, reach for water first. Drinking also helps you feel full. Some experts suggest sipping water (or iced tea) just before you sit down to a meal. Continue drinking as you eat to add volume and weight to your meal.

2. Set realistic goals. One or two pounds a week maximum is doable. Top weight-loss programs advocate stopping after the first 10 pounds and maintaining that loss for about six months before trying to lose any more.

3. Build in splurges. If you allow yourself to eat whatever you want for 2 meals out of every 21, you won’t inflict enough damage to subvert your weight loss. And you’ll feel less deprived.

4. Count to 10. Studies suggest that the average craving lasts only about 10 minutes. So before caving in to your urge, set your mental timer for a 10-minute time-out. Use the time to tackle an item on your to-do list; choose one that will give you a sense of accomplishment — and get you out of the kitchen.

5. Eat more often. People who have kept their weight off for more than a few years tend to eat an average of five times a day. Light, frequent meals curb your appetite, boost your energy, improve your mood and even speed your metabolism, since the process of digestion itself burns calories.

6. Make weekly resolutions. Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. If you make too many changes at once, chances are you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel. Instead, make one change, such as eating at least one piece of fruit daily, every week.

7. Start with 10%. People who start by focusing on achieving just 10% of their long-range weight-loss goal may have the best chance of ultimate success.

Losing those first pounds yields the biggest health gains, too, since belly fat is usually the first to come off and is the most dangerous.

8. Spike your meals with salsa. This spicy condiment can stand in for mayo to deliver plenty of flavor without the fat. Mix it with a bit of low-fat yogurt to make tuna salad. Spread it on a veggie burger, or serve it with chicken or fish.

9. Take one-third off. When you eat dinner out, reduce the temptation to clean your plate by setting aside one-third of your meal. Ask the server for a doggie bag, and take it home for lunch the next day. Try serving yourself one-third less at home too. This simple tactic could subtract more than 500 calories a day.

10. Try eating IN. Yes, this comes in right in the middle to remind you that eating in, preparing your own food, is tons healthier than eating outside. Did you know that "butter" is added to almost everything in restaurants to give you a better taste?? Even french fries!!

11. Write notes to yourself. To help you stay on track, post notes to yourself on the fridge and the pantry. Put up a little stop sign or make tags with questions like “Do you want this food enough to wear it?” and “Are the calories worth the consequences?”

12. Stay away from sodas. Soft drinks are a major source of empty calories in the American diet. We drink twice as much soda as milk and nearly six times more soda than fruit juice. But fluids don’t satisfy your appetite as well as solids. A study at Purdue University found that when people were fed 450 calories daily as jelly beans or as soda, the soda drinkers gained a significant amount of weight, but the jelly-bean eaters compensated for the extra calories by cutting back on other food. So if you crave something sweet, you’re better off chewing it than gulping it. If you’re truly thirsty, reach for water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda.

13. Don’t just eat — dine. Eating on the run or in front of the tube invites mindless munching. Instead, set the table every time you eat. Make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on your best china helps focus your attention so you don’t eat the whole bag.

14. Up your protein (a little). Research suggests that protein prolongs the feeling of fullness better than carbohydrates or fats do. Studies in Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and England found that people who ate a high-protein breakfast or lunch were less hungry at their next meal. Protein also requires a few more calories to digest. Just don’t go overboard. Stick to low-fat protein sources like low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, low-fat soy drinks or snacks, or thinly sliced turkey breast.

15. Learn how to measure. It’s easy to misjudge portion sizes. Pull out the measuring spoons and cups, especially for full-fat salad dressings, dairy foods and mayo.

16. Make smart substitutions. Look for nutritious low-calorie alternatives to sugary, high-fat treats. Try frozen grapes instead of candy. Use air-popped popcorn instead of oil-popped. Dip fresh strawberries in fat-free fudge sauce for a sensuous chocolaty treat.

17. Have a “party plan.” When attending a party, offer to bring a plate. Arriving armed with chopped fresh veggies and a low-fat dip — or any other low-calorie snack — ensures that you’ll have something to snack on without feeling guilty.

18. Think positively. Experts note that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Train yourself to focus on your best points rather than your weak spots. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you at your current weight. Update your hairstyle and get a makeup consultation so you feel attractive today.

19. Give yourself a break. No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

20. Relax! Some people binge when they’re stressed. A Yale University study found that women who secreted the most cortisol (a hormone released during stress) ate the most high-fat food after stress. The combination of cortisol and insulin prompts the body to store fat in preparation for possible starvation — just what you don’t need. If stress has a stronghold on your life, try learning yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises.

Happy New Year Lovers!! ;)