Lose Weight: The Health-Pro Way!
What do diet and exercise experts do to jump-start their own fitness programs? We asked six of the most renowned get-fit gurus in America to share their personal shape-up tips.
~ Source: Parade Magazine
Get the Right Balance
“I have one favorite diet food: I boil eggs, take out the yolk and replace it with hummus. It’s got healthy carbs, protein and fat. For meals, I divide my plate into thirds. On one third of the plate, I put some low-fat protein, no bigger or thicker than my palm. I fill the other two-thirds of the plate with colorful, non-starchy vegetables and fruit. Finally, I add a dash of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like olive oil or guacamole.”
—Barry Sears, author of The Zone
Wake Up Hungry
“Waking up hungry for breakfast is a good sign you’ve likely lost weight while sleeping! Too many people eat late at night and then wake up with a food hangover. Instead, I make sure to fuel up during the day and diet by night. I eat every four hours: breakfast at 7 a.m., first lunch at 11 a.m., a second lunch at 3 p.m., followed by a light evening meal.”
—Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook
Limit Beloved Treats
“I don’t believe in deprivation. But I never keep goodies in the house because, when it comes to candy and cookies, I have a hard time eating just one. Instead, I go out and buy a single serving of my favorite treat once in a while. I love really good chocolate. I’d rather have a small portion of the really good stuff than waste calories on things I’m not crazy about.”
—Juliana Maggio, registered dietitian, The Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention
Move Those Buns
“The squat works more muscles and bones than any other single move. Stand in front of a chair with your hands crossed over your chest and feet 16 inches apart. Keep your head up, back straight, and slowly lower your body (breathing in) until your butt touches the chair. Don’t rest, and come back up (breathing out). Try doing 10 at first, working up to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.”
—Brian Killion, fitness trainer and owner of Killion Fitness in Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
Listen Up
“It’s been proven that people who listen to music while exercising lose twice as much weight as those who don’t. It keeps you moving and staves off boredom. I’m also a big believer in visualization: Put pictures up everywhere of how you want to look. Have quotes around the house that you can repeat when you feel weak. Then strap on the headphones and get going!”
—Lacey Stone, Equinox trainer and founder of Lacey Stone Fitness in New York City
Sneak in Some Ab Work
“You can sneak in some really effective ab exercises almost anywhere—and no one even needs to know. Whenever you’re sitting in your car, at your computer, even at the movies or on an airplane, try the following: Draw your navel in toward your spine without rounding your lower back. Open your chest and draw your shoulder blades back and down. Relax your neck and sit up as straight as you can. This will make you look taller and take loads of pressure off your spine.”
—Sharon Carlstrom, fitness director at the Atlantic Club in Red Bank, N.J.
Mariel Wong 