By Komeeka Booth Ram
GUT-BE-GONE!!! Muffin top, inner tube, flabby, pouch, love
handles, or just a plain old gut. These are some of the names we call that
fatty area around our waistline. Do you really want to know the secret to
getting rid of that muffin top? NUTRITION, NUTRITION, NUTRITION! Did I forget
to mention nutrition? No matter how many crunches, sit-ups, V-ups, planks, or
cardiovascular workouts that you do to target the stomach, you will not, I
repeat, will not lose that pouch until you change your eating habits. It's
always important that nutrition be the first pillar in any type of program no
matter the desired result. When trying to reach a specific goal, for example, a
flatter stomach or a six-pack, you should first consider the "D"
word, diet. No, not a crash diet. You need to incorporate smart nutrition. You
must change your daily eating habits in order to promote a healthier diet.
Eating healthier foods like fruits, veggies, nuts & seeds, high fiber
foods, and low-calorie foods. You should avoid eating fast food, fatty food,
processed food, prepackaged food, artificial food, refined sugars and
carbonated beverages. When grocery shopping, target the perimeter area inside
the market. Locate the fresh fruits & vegetables, lean meats, seafood,
dairy and whole grain bread. The items in the aisles in the middle are
processed, prepackaged, stripped of nutritional values, has additives, and are
loaded with salt to preserve it for a long shelf life. Remember to go for the
browns: brown rice, brown bread (whole grain), brown pasta, & brown flour
(wheat) because it is so much healthier. Unless you are drinking a nutritional
smoothie or shake, please refrain from drinking your calories. We have a
tendency of gulping down delicious, satisfying beverages. Juices, energy drinks,
sodas, beer, diet sodas, sweet tea, whole milk, and the like. Those calories
will help you get your daily Caloric intake faster than you think and aid in
targeting belly fat. For example, if your daily Caloric intake is 1,200
calories a day, drinking a few sodas will get you halfway there without
providing your body with any nutritional value. If you are thirsty, drink
water. If you are not thirsty, still drink water. Our body is nearing
dehydration when we first begin to feel thirsty. So drink up! If you are not a
water lover, try adding fresh, sliced fruit to your cold water. This combo is
refreshing, healthy, and naturally sweetened with no sugars added. It is
recommended that we drink at least eight glasses of 8 ounces of water daily. If
you think you are hungry, drink a glass of water. If you are still hungry after
that, grab a bite of something healthy to eat. Drink water during meals to help
fill you up and between meals to help curb your appetite.
