Have you noticed (and this makes me laugh) that the new diet pills appearing on the market are derived from ‘natural sources’? You have the hoodia diet pill, the mango diet pill, the acai berry diet pill and the last one is the raspberry ketone. Since the fen phen diet pill scare, we’ve gone ‘all natural’, except for the drug Alli, which is now under investigation by the FDA, because it can cause liver damage (don’t say). The fact is, I wouldn’t touch any of these pills with a 10-foot pole. Why do we always want the quick and easy way out?
With that said, here are 3 mistakes women make when trying to lose weight.
Mistake #1 – They don’t drink enough water
Without water, our body cannot eliminate the toxins stored in our fat cells. Many people drink soda and sugar-free drinks, thinking that it helps them in the battle against weight gain, when, in fact, they are creating more toxins in the body. Those chemicals have nowhere else to go but in the fat cells.
Solution
Add a squeeze of lemon to the water. Make iced tea with herbal/fruit teas and even add a dash of honey if you like. Instead of soda, buy sparkling mineral water.
Mistake #2 – Not getting enough sleep
America runs on adrenaline and caffeine. When we don’t get enough sleep, adrenaline continues as the ‘energizer bunny’; not good if you want to lose weight. This raises the levels of cortisol that retains fat. When you get 7-8 hours of a good night’s sleep, your body can really kick those fat cells to the curb.
Solution
Turn everything off and take some time to relax (without the TV) 30 minutes before you go to bed. You can devise a daily ritual for this. Throw the TV out of the bedroom (seriously). Drink a relaxing herbal tea, no punches or pills please.
Mistake #3: Eating Fat-Free, Low-Fat, High-Salt Processed Foods
For the sake of convenience, diet foods have worked their magic on us, but I won’t buy it! These foods are non-nutritious, chemical-laden junk, and are even found in some health food stores. The worst culprits are protein bars.
Solution
Be realistic! I mean real food, that is. Fruits are the best convenience foods; berries have the lowest glycemic index. Check labels to see what you’re really eating. Just take the time to prepare simple, healthy foods in small portions.