By Grace Bailey

Nowadays, pretty much everybody is in a constant battle of losing pounds and reaching that ideal weight. However, this can prove to be the hardest thing ever after you see that the countless diets you have already tried don’t seem to work. Here are a couple of advices on what type of attitude you need to embrace when you are on your way to shaping that dream body of yours.

First of all, the most important thing you need to understand and remember is that each human’s body is unique in terms of both physique and metabolism. And not to mention the results that one wants to achieve. So, do not despair if you have tried someone else’s diet and it has had no effect on you. Sure Oprah Winfrey’s diet helped her lose ten pounds in a month but that does not mean it will help you too. Your body is different from Oprah’s. Each diet needs to be individual, ‘tailored’ according to the person’s needs.

Anybody that has even the smallest insight on building a slim and healthy body is well familiar with the fact that without working out, no real results could be achieved. Starving is not the way to do it, but you rather have to hit the gym as well. Exercising is an inseparable part of one’s journey to the dream body. However, it does not necessarily have to be pumping iron at the gym. If this is just not your thing, or you enjoy being outdoors, consider a specific sport. Even cycling or running on a regular basis will do the job. The options for doing sports are pretty much countless – swimming, hiking (both outdoors and indoors, when it is too cold), skating (or ice skating), etc. Cardiovascular exercises have to do with a lot of movement, which helps you burn calories (fat). Lifting weights will seriously contribute when you want to not only lose weight but also shape your body.

A few words on metabolism – The faster your metabolism is, the more calories your body burns. If, however, your metabolism is slow, you will have to help your body. Try to increase the number of your daily meals, for example, five to six light meals a day is perfect. Keep your meals light and do not have dinner an hour before going to bed. Give your body enough time to process the food.

Some tips on your eating plan. Obviously, you will have to stop consuming (or at least significantly decrease) greasy foods. Avoid deep-fried meals, stir-fried is OK in moderation. Also, stay away from pastry products. If you can stop eating bread (and substitute it with more staple foods) that would be even better. Pastries ‘help’ you gain more fat. Increase the number of fresh fruits you consume on a daily basis – apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, etc. Whatever appeals to you.

Decrease the amount of sugar, in your coffee, tea, etc. Either use no sugar at all, or substitute it with special low-calorie sweeteners. Junk food… People call it that way for a reason. All those snacks, sweets, chips, candy, soda… They not only give you back the calories which you managed to burn, but are also basically bad for your health. Such snacks could be replaced. Whenever you feel like having some candy, have a fruit instead. If you are thirsty, reach for the water, not the soda. Same goes for fast food, avoid it at all costs. There are plenty of healthy low-calorie alternatives. However, if your brain simply craves for these bodily ‘pests’, try to impose it on yourself to have them in moderation. At least it will keep you from going insane.

Bottom line, an individual diet, ‘tailored’ especially for you, along with some privation and a lot of exercising is bound to give you the body you strive for!

– Author Grace Bailey: The mission of Grace is to help you create a better home. She enjoys sharing ideas of moving to a healthier home and wholesome lifestyle for your family. You can read her tips also at HandyMoves.co.uk