6 Bodybuilding Fat Loss Diet Tips
by Christopher Zell
Many people are surprised when they find out how small changes in
their diet can lead to big results in fat loss... I know I was, but I
learned it was true! I have listed a few common things in the diet
that can be manipulated, added, or dropped, to attain desired results.
1. Eat less simple sugars. This was the biggest result
getter for me. One easy way to do this is to drop sodas. They have a
lot of empty calories up to 120...although diet sodas aren't
necessarily healthy, they are minus sugar. I haven't been a soda
drinker myself for about 4 years...but this isn't where I dropped
sugar. I used to subscribe to the idea that products labeled as "fat
free" and "low fat" were the way to go. What I didn't know was that
those same products often times had added simple sugars. Many items
labeled "lite" usually have less sugars. Don't be afraid to learn how
to read nutritional information on the labels. Once I dropped extra
sugar in my diet, I dropped about 6 pounds, with no extra cardio at
all...just the sugar alone. It happened gradually, but has stayed off
permanently.
2. Drink 1% or skim milk. Sometimes I drink a gallon of milk
a day, all skim. Milk is almost a perfect source of protein as
well...and 1 gallon has 160g! This can make a HUGE difference, ask me,
I know. Been skim for 4 years. Try fat free, lite or reduced fat
cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese as well (watch the added
sugar!).
3. Eat more often! You probably eat 2-3 times a day, right?
Eat more frequent, smaller meals, spaced out every 2-4 hours, as many
as 6-8 times a day. Basically you'll be "grazing", and this will help
your body boost your metabolism. Digestion is a big calorie
burner...up to 20% of the calories from each meal go towards
digestion. This will help keep your "internal furnace"" going. Try to
shoot for x grams of protein a day, where x is your bodyweight. Keep
simple sugars low, (fruit is a good choice!) and saturated fats to a
minimum.
4. Instead of ground beef in your recipes, try ground turkey.
It has approx. 20g of protein per serving, with only 1-2g fat. I use
this in spaghetti, meatloaf, manwiches, whatever. I also like to use
chicken strips heated in a skillet in spaghetti as well.
5. Eat wheat bread instead of white. Not too sure about the
science behind this one yet, but it has seemed to help. I think it has
something to do with the white bread's ability to be converted into
simple sugars more quickly or something.
6. Drink more! No you raging alcoholics...I can hear the
cheering already! Make sure what you drink is a hydrating liquid...not
caffeinated soda or coffee, and alcohol does not count! Drink up to
and even more than 1 gallon of water a day, depending on you
activities. This will rid the body of toxins, and flush your system.
This may be more important than any of the other points. One way to monitor
your water intake is to keep an empty mile jug, and will it with water
every night before you go to bed. Drink some from the jug throughout
the day. At the end of the night, evaluate how much you have drank. If
you are at work a lot like I am, take a plastic bottle, (12oz, 16oz)
and keep filling it throughout the day. Keep it on you during your
workouts...don't rely on the water fountain, as sips are hard to
measure.
Try some or all of these tips to help boost your fat loss efforts.
It's not easy, and not quick...(I'm still gettin' there myself), so
give it at least 1-2 months before you start to see results. Try to
participate in some cardiovascular activity about 3 times a week, for
20-30 minutes a session. Good luck!