Teen Guide

Shedding Winter Weight Pt.2 // Steven

Just to add onto a bit on weight loss and this idea, I'll put in a few of my two cents. As a kid who to be on the round side before cracking down hard and really committing into sports, and getting into the military service, I've learned the hard way, and now, I'd like to pass on a few things to you guys. 

Eating Well vs. Eating Less

Now, a few things my buddies panic about, and often friends when I ask them about their eating habits, of course the first reply is, "I know, I have to eat less! But I can't give this up!", or , "I try eating less, but I just doesn't work!"

There's a HUGE difference between eating less and eating well, and if you strike it well, you can definitely work it around, and I'll point a few things. 

Fruit. 

I love fruit.

And I know for some ladies, (especially my girlfriend, I love her to death, but yes, she has her guilt in admitting to having a hard chocolate kick), you have that craving for chocolate. My recommendation? Eating Well, and Eating less. Now, if you ever have that kick, maybe look into those chocolate dipped fruits. But remember to discipline yourself to only eat a few. Yeah it's going to suck, but hey, it'll help you get one step closer to what you want. Learn to add fruit into your diet, or how and when you eat. For me, after a good lunch, and lets say, 2 hours or so before dinner, I eat an apple, and I have a glass of tea. The tea part just helps me kick back, and the apple? Well not only it's healthy for you, but it'll help you with portions. Because now, you won't be as hungry and stuff yourself during dinner, which unfortunately, many of us do.

    Interestingly, the French, and many European countries, have small breakfasts, large lunches, and small dinners, and they're pretty dang fit. Why? Not just because of healthy, organic options, but also their meal portioning. Breakfast is a kick to your day to help you get by, and I cannot stress how hard it is to eat a good breakfast. Get a good kick, and enough to get you to lunch. Get a good lunch, because you'll still be working well into the night, before dinner.

    And dinner? Limit dinner. Because more than likely, you'll be sitting around and then go to bed. Not really burning off those heavy calorie foods. You want to be able to knock those out ASAP.

Of course, if you're eating a lot , remember a few key things. 

Carbs make you full. FAST. Those potatoes, and breads? Yeah, those. Breads, pastas, rice. They're delicious, but they will stay for a while. Carbs have a ton of energy, so do fats, but carbs will not only make you feel more full, it'll carry over and definitely help you when you work out. Compared to the sugary stuff, or that good scoop of ice cream. Carbs get you through the day. Moderate it obviously. 

Be sure that even if you get good bit of pasta, manage it well, and it will help you in the long run.

Water. 

Drink water. Not only will you feel refreshed, water's good for you. 

I'm pretty dang proud to say, I haven't had a soda in two years. I drink Juice, Water, and Gatorade/Powerade or any equivalent. I love a good bottle of cranberry juice, or any sweet juice, and I'd recommend, to skip the soda. It'll be hard, but you'll get used to it.  

And for Powerade and Gatorade? I normally do it when you excercise. Which I'll talk about now. 

Excercise

One word. six letters.

Cardio. 

This is the stuff that completely drops weight, if you do it perfect. Long runs, or easy excercise with many reps. Situps, flutterkicks, runs. There are a ton of options and I suggest you look them up.