Before trying on a new weight loss program or deciding to enroll in another gym class, consider some practical ways that can help rid unwanted pounds. These ways have been carefully studied by health experts and are likely to significantly aid in one’s slimming pursuit.
- Scientists and experts believe that the color blue is actually an appetite suppressant, while the colors red and yellow are appetite enhancers. This may be the reason behind the absence of blue and the excess of yellows and reds in restaurant logos, signage, even decorations and interior. Surrounding yourself in blue especially during meal times may help suppress hunger resulting to less food consumption. Serve food in blue plates, cover you table with a blue table cloth, add touches of blue in your dinning area, whichever works.
- Another practical weight loss strategy is to downsize your dinner plates. Dinner plates commonly measure 10 to 14 inches, instead of using these, we can serve our food in salad plates that measure about 7 to 9 inches wide. Scientists and researchers believe that the less food served, the less food you eat. Smaller plates equal smaller servings = lesser food consumption.
Serving food on plates rather than putting them in separate bowls is another practical way of losing weight. This is helpful in controlling food consumption since once you finish your plate, there are not bowls to reach into for seconds or thirds.
Hanging a mirror opposite to where you are seated while eating has been proven to decrease food consumption by as much as 30%. Seeing yourself in the mirror while eating is a constant reminder of your weight loss goals and inner standards.
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Losing weight is one of the common dilemmas that a lot of people face these days. The reasons behind shedding a few pounds is not confined to aesthetic reasons, or wanting to be thinner or sexier. These days, more and more people are joining the slim team to promote better health and well-being.
Heart disease, diabetes, strokes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers are some of the risks and illnesses associated to obesity or being overweight. The fear of having such intensifies people’s drive to lose weight.
When one wishes to slim down, they take on stringent measures like significantly decreasing their calorie consumption or increasing exercise or sports activities to burn more calories. Although these may work, people must also be aware that most diets and quick weight loss strategies may promote an unhealthy and imbalanced way of shedding extra poundage. Rather, proper weight loss techniques must be integrated to one’s daily routine. This would not only make slimming healthier, it also makes it more practical and cost-effective.
The cardinal rule in proper weight loss programs that can be done daily is to increase vegetable and fruit intake and lessen meat intake (more fiber, less fat) along with increased physical activity. Physical activity need not be in a gym or in a sports center but in doing daily tasks such as walking farther to the office, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, and the like.
The ways of losing weight may be proper but have we ever wondered about the motivations behind losing all this weight? If dieters are trying to shed off pounds to alleviate risks of illnesses, good! Who wants to be unhealthy in the first place? But more and more dieters are in it for the supposed satisfaction they get when they look at their slim selves in the mirror, which a lot take too far.
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Naomi Moriyama’s book, “Japanese Women Don’t Get Fat or Old: Secrets from My Mother’s Tokyo Kitchen,” talks about the seven pillars of Japanese food – fish, vegetables, rice, soy, noodles, tea and fruit. All of which, she believes, are the secrets behind Japanese health and vitality. Of the seven pillars, fish was introduced first and was given much attention to. Since Japan is mainly surrounded by water, it’s no wonder that Japanese diets are fish-based, rich in fish and seafood, with sparse beef offerings (perhaps also owing to limited land space).
However, people must be aware that not all fish or seafood is healthy, especially if consumed in large quantities. A lot of fish and seafood contain high amounts of cholesterol and may not be healthy alternatives at all.
Scientists and health experts believe that fish oil derived from herbivorous fish species like mackerel, salmon and sardines contain natural fish oils considered to be natural anti-cholesterol agents. Fish oil contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, more popularly known as omega-3 that lower blood cholesterol levels and improves blood coagulation properties. They are also proven to prevent the risks of heart attacks, depression and some forms of cancer. Continue reading ‘Japanese Meals: Fishy, fishy, fishy’
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As a child, my dad used to fold a piece of paper, insert into the upper part between the chopsticks and secure it with a string or rubber band. This method allowed me to use chopsticks like a tong until I eventually learned to use them without properly.
Whenever my son is given his set of chopsticks, he commonly uses it to poke the food or to spear whatever is on his plate. Because of this, I employ the same technique as my father applied to me (and my chopstick use) with my son, who manages to pick some food using his mommy-made chopsticks.
According to a popular Eastern legend, the idea of using chopsticks originated from cranes, who would eat their food one bite-sized piece at a time using their beaks. Can this be the reason behind the absence of obese or even fat cranes? Properly paced eating? Maybe, maybe not. Continue reading ‘Japanese-style Eating (how to use chopsticks)’
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I am a big fan of Japanese food, something that rubbed off to my son as well. In fact, we just had shrimp tempura, gohan (steamed rice), kani (crabsticks), tuna sashimi, tamago (egg) and kani salad for lunch. For some reason, I always feel satisfied, full yet still healthy without the supposed guilt of eating too much after every Japanese meal. Continue reading ‘Going Japanese (at least during meal times!)’
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