Oprahs Easy Weight Loss Tips: All About The Food

Starting Off Slowly

We've all got that area that we just can't seem to get rid off. It can be in the stomach, thighs, butt or wherever, but no matter what we try to do, it just doesn't want to go away. This is one way to start getting rid of those stubborn areas. Your body does not want to let go of those fat stores. That's what those stubborn areas of fat represent to your body.

This attempt is what's called 'staggering carbohydrates'. At least it sounds interesting! Most people stagger calories without thinking about it , but very few people stagger carbohydrates and proteins.

For the beginner, I'd recommend you stagger your weekly intake of protein and carbohydrates and don't worry about percentages. Changing over to good eating can be overwhelming as it is! Just go by the size of your hand. For two days, consume 3-5 meals per day with a serving of protein (lean meat, chicken, tuna, tofu, etc.) about 1.5 times the size of your hand. Consume about half the size of your hand in slow-burning carbs (brown rice, yams, whole grain bread, oatmeal, etc.) Eat this combination at each meal along with as much salad or veggies as you please.

On the third day, alternate to keep both you and your body from getting in a rut-consume 1.5 times the size of your hand in carbs and 1/2 the size of your hand in protein. Keep your fats consistent and do not add butter or excessive oils to your foods. A little olive oil is good to use, extra virgin is even better. I know if you're used to butter, just reduce it slowly.

Do this for the next three days. Basically, if you start on Monday, you would eat higher protein/lower carbs on Monday and Tuesday, higher carbs and lower protein and Wednesday, higher protein and lower carbs on Thursday and Friday, higher carbs and lower protein on Saturday, and Sunday would be a free meal day. Begin Sunday with a nice high-protein, low-carb meal to get your day started right. Then, eat in moderation some of the other foods you enjoy. This is a good day to have a reward meal-something you have been craving during the week.

The big thing is not getting so caught up in numbers all the time. The size of your hand way works well when you don't need to be precise. I hate having to weigh food and all that good stuff, and I'm sure you're all with me on that.

This Has Really Worked For Me

Over time, you'll find yourself hitting plateaus where your body has adjusted to your working out, keeping active, so this is a way to surprise it a little so that it doesn't become a little sedentary with burning fat. Yes, you can be active, but if you're body gets used to it, it adjusts and like a partner, sometimes takes it for granted.

This technique works for many reasons, but the primary reason is more primal in nature. Our bodies have adapted to varying food sources and calories throughout the centuries. Rarely has there been times when food was consistent. Much like a drug, which can lose its effect over time, the same food taken in day-in and day-out can put the metabolism to sleep. Carbohydrate staggering is a great way to wake it up and keep your body guessing. That guesswork will generate greater fat-burning which will lead to more weight loss.

On a slightly scientific note, protein is thermogenic, which means it stokes the metabolic fire more than carbs and fat. Increasing protein for several days and lowering carbs is a great way to stimulate the thermogenesis, which means you'll burn more body fat in the process. The trick is not to over-consume protein, and that's where carbohydrate staggering works like a charm.

This lesson was something I learned from Oprah Winfrey's trainer Bob Greene and Jon Benson. If you check out 7-Minute Muscle, Fit Over 40 or the Every Other Day Diet Pictures on this site, you'll see how I got started on this journey.