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Unable to Lose Weight? 7 Secrets for Sustainable Weight Loss

lose weightDuring your weight loss journey, have you contemplated the impossibility of you reaching your weight loss goal? How many times were you close to giving up? Despite all your struggles with following proper exercise routines and eating the right food, you don’t seem to lose weight. If you resonate with this, it is fairly common. Such situations or instances are faced by people who are trying to lose weight. And yes, we understand how frustrating that can be. The real question here is – is there anything more beyond diet and exercise?

7 Acceptable and Easier Secrets to Lose Weight

1. Focusing on a Single Number
How frequently do you check your weight and get disheartened? The thing is that weight loss isn’t just about losing weight in kg but also about losing fat mass and gaining muscle mass. Your body type, ethnic group and muscle mass can change the meaning of the number that you see on the scale. How much fat loss and how much bone density has improved are the numbers you should be looking at. A Body Composition Analysis (BCA) once a month would be a better indicator than a weighing scale alone. Also, measuring waist and hip circumference in inches gives insight on your inch loss. Measure it once in 15 days along with weight.

 2. Setting Unrealistic Goals
Always set tangible and measurable goals. Aim for slow and steady weight loss i.e. 1.5 – 2 kg/month as it’s easy to achieve and maintain. Setting short term quick fixes will not help you with sustainable weight loss and the chances to regain the shed kilos increases. A goal without a plan is just a wish. Accompany your health goals with good planning, take some expert advice for goal setting and guidelines which will also help you track them daily.

 3. Sitting Time
If you haven’t been able to lose weight despite working out for an hour a day, 7 times a week, then there’s a good explanation for it. Researchers conclude that sitting continuously for hours is as dangerous as smoking! When you stay seated, your body metabolism slows, you burn less calories, your muscles and joints stiffen up, and your back may hurt. Rather, get up every 30 minutes and stretch or take a short walk, as every bit counts. You can also try this workout routine you can do anywhere.

 4. Sleep Well
Adults usually need 7-9 hours of sleep. Our bodies use that time to detoxify, fix tissues, make hormones, and grow muscles. Our brains use it to process the information and learning of the day into memories. Not enough sleep can make you hungrier and make junk food more appealing. Quantity of sleep is as important as quality of sleep. It’s important to train your body’s circadian rhythm to sleep early and wake up early. Your body responds well if you sleep during the magical hours of 10pm to 6am.

 5. Manage Stress
How many times have you been stressed out over not reaching your target weight? Stress can make the weight loss journey nearly impossible. Stress eating is a type of emotional eating, where the body usually craves high fat, high sugar foods. Stress produces cortisol, a hormone which promotes body fat and makes it harder to lose weight, especially belly fat. It also causes disturbance in sleep. Less sleep, chronic fatigue leads to the rise of the hormone – Ghrelin, which is the primary hunger hormone, which makes you feel hungry even when you don’t need to eat. Constant stress, however, can wreak havoc on your emotional and physical health by causing anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation.

 6. Water Intake
Many of us cannot draw a distinction between thirst and hunger. The first thing that comes to mind is always ‘food’, even if it is just thirst. In most cases, a glass of water might do the trick instead of eating a snack. To set a baseline, drink one glass of water before you eat anything. Drink adequate water before, during and post-workout.

7. Nutrient Deficiencies
Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D3 are the major vitamins involved in the fat loss process. Vitamin B12 converts fats and proteins into energy and aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates too. The sunshine Vitamin D3 decreases body fat and limits weight gain by altering the storage and formation of fat cells and it also increases the levels of serotonin (happy hormone) and testosterone (affects bone and muscle mass) in the body. Unfortunately, nearly 50% of people worldwide suffer from low Vitamin D levels.

If you’re still looking for a “magic pill” to aid weight loss, it is the combination of the above points. They can help you succeed in your weight loss journey as well as sustain it. There is no shortcut to it, only consistency. We hope this article helps you out. For more tips on weight loss, click here or reach out to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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The Little Known Health Benefits Of Almonds

Health Benefits Of Almonds

An Almond is a type of tree nut that’s commonly consumed as a snack or added to various dishes for flavor and texture. In addition to its delicious taste, it’s also packed with several nutrients and health-promoting compounds. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of almonds and how they can support overall health and wellbeing.

Health Benefits Of Almonds

  • Rich in Nutrients: Almonds are a good source of several important nutrients, including fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. A one-ounce serving of almonds (approximately 23 almonds) contains 6 grams of protein, 14 grams of healthy fats, and 3.5 grams of fiber, making them a filling and nutritious snack.
  • May Promote Heart Health: Almonds are rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have been shown to promote heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and improving overall cholesterol profiles. Studies have also shown that consuming almonds may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • May Help with Weight Management: Despite their relatively high calorie content, almonds have been shown to support weight management due to their high protein and fiber content, which can help to increase feelings of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake. Some studies have also suggested that consuming almonds may help reduce belly fat and waist circumference.
  • May Lower Blood Sugar Levels: They are low in carbohydrates but high in healthy fats, fiber, and protein, making them an excellent food for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes. Studies have shown that consuming almonds may help to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • May Improve Digestive Health: The fiber content in almonds may help to promote digestive health by supporting regular bowel movements and feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, some studies have suggested that almonds may help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall gut health.
  • May Improve Brain Function: Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, which has been shown to support brain health and may help to reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Some studies have also suggested that consuming almonds may help to improve memory and cognitive function.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Eating Almonds? 

While they are extremely nutritious and support different aspects of health which include heart health, weight management, digestive health and brain function, it is important to keep portion size in mind. As almonds are relatively high in calories, they can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. As always, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or nutrition plan.

If reading this article made you want to stock up on almonds, get them here. 

Interested in learning more about nutrition or exploring similar topics? Learn more from these articles written by our experts here.

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Lose Body Fat by Changing What You Eat

lose body fat

There are many of us who lead demanding and hectic lifestyles which are marred with extensive working hours, early mornings and late nights. In fact, late-night shifts affect our eating patterns a lot!

Due to erratic working patterns, processed foods, instant food items and junk food are in trend as they are easy to carry and can be ordered or eaten anywhere! People don’t carry home food as much and always eat food at work in a hurry, knowing that they are gulping their food without chewing.

If we pay a little attention to what we are eating and how we are eating it, it makes a big difference. The statement, “Lose body fat by changing what you eat” holds true in this context.

Can You Lose Body Fat with Food?

First of all, you have to see the natural foods around you which have the capability to help you lose body fat. Try including some of the following option in your daily meals.

  1. Whole Grains: contain a good amount of fiber and as they are complex in nature, they release carbohydrates slowly in the body. They need energy from the body to breakdown and in turn, help you lose fat. So, include brown rice, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra over refined flour like maida, suji and white rice.
  2. Pulses & Legumes: are an excellent source of fiber and vegetable protein. Protein gives you a feeling of satiety which stops you from overeating and decreases your total calorie intake resulting in fat loss. Choose whole pulses like white & black chana, cow pea, kidney bean, sprouts and have them in at least two meals.
  3. Vegetables & Fruits: are excellent sources of fiber and are low in calories. They require a lot of energy to breakdown and some fibers don’t digest in human bodies. They need to be excreted and absorb fat from the body while doing so, thereby reducing fat and cutting down total calorie intake. Have at least 2-3 servings of fruits & vegetables. Their way of cooking can be changed like sautéing, steaming, baking, shallow frying, or roasting instead of deep-frying.
  4. Healthy Fats: can be obtained through nuts, fish & seeds to improve omega 3 fatty acid which is anti-inflammatory and helps in controlling visceral fat accumulation. Cut down your intake of all types of visible fats such as butter, ghee, oils and avoid refined oils. Instead, use soybean oil, sesame oil, mustard & groundnut oil.
  5. Water: increases the metabolism of the body by flushing out toxins and cleansing the liver. The best part? It has zero calories. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water a day.
  6. Tea: Replacing your tea with green, turmeric or lemon tea and avoiding or minimizing visible intake of sugar [1tsp of sugar (5gm) = 20 calories] helps you lose weight.

Meal timings are also crucial in shedding extra fat. This is because the metabolism of the body slows down as the day progresses. That’s why late-night eaters are prone to weight gain. Low calorie and nutrient-dense food can be chosen by late eaters.

Chewing your food properly also increases the rate of absorption of nutrients and avoids extra accumulation of fat. Practicing mindful eating i.e. eating by paying attention and noticing each sip or bite, tasting your food, teaches you to control your hunger and actually helps in weight loss.

We hope these tips help you lose body fat. For more on how adjusting food habits can help you lose weight, ask a GOQii Coach for guidance by subscribing for personalised health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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Your Favorite Recipes Made Healthy

recipes made healthySome recipes are timeless but are they healthy? Well, if you’re craving for biryani, butter chicken or pizza, but are worried that it might not be healthy, we’re here to help! In this article, we covered 4 of your favorite recipes and made them healthy! Let’s get right to it –

1. Biryani Recipe Made Healthy 

Starting with the finest, let’s start with identifying what’s healthy and what’s not in the recipe. I personally consider Biryani a healthy dish to start with. An excellent combination of proteins (paneer/chicken/mutton) with rice. Hence, balancing out your only rice dish. Seasoned with the best spices in your pantry, each with its unique benefits helping in the digestion of your meal apart from adding flavour. It is usually combined with a good quantity of curd based salad, so you do not have to worry about your fiber and veggie intake either.

So what’s wrong? Except for the oil content, I cannot think of much. Next question – where is the oil? Answer- In the fried onions! Every Biryani recipe has fried onions amounting to the same quantity as the chicken/mutton. So, if you are making Biryani with 1 kg chicken, you have to add 1kg of fried onions.

How do you make this healthy?

  • Take 1 kg onions, slice and fry 3 onions from this and grind the rest to a pulp.
  • Heat 2 tbsp of oil and cook your onion paste – this requires patience and can be done a day ahead.
  • Keep cooking and stirring your onion paste till the water is dry and it starts turning brown.
  • Keep a handful of your fried onions aside for garnishing and grind the rest to a paste.
  • Add the fried onion paste to the rest of your browned onion paste.
  • Voila! You have 1 kg of fried onion paste to add to your chicken, cooked in less than the oil you would otherwise require.

This tip can be used for gravies requiring fried onion paste too such as Kormas.

2. Chicken Nuggets Made Healthy 

Who doesn’t like nuggets? Especially kids! Serve them a plate of nuggets and you are their best friend forever! So, what’s wrong? My answer nothing and everything. Buy a pack of frozen nuggets and you are feeding your kids questionable meat fried in questionable oil and seasoned with a variety of chemicals and preservatives. Instead, prepare a plate of chicken nuggets from scratch, with fresh meat and love and you are offering your kids a healthy, high protein snack!

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts, cut into slices
  • Seasoning of your choice
  • Corn flour
  • Breadcrumbs

Method

  1. Flatten your chicken breast a bit with a meat hammer. Cut into nugget sized pieces.
  2. Season with salt and whatever other spices you like, I like to season mine with herbs and garlic.
  3. Add 2 tbsp. of Corn flour to the chicken, coat each nugget with bread crumbs.
  4. These can then be stored in your freezer or fried right away.
  5. They just need to be shallow fried in a skillet and don’t need any deep frying.

3. Butter Chicken

Another hot favourite in my kitchen. The yummy North Indian gravies are usually made with cashew/almond paste and a lot of cream. Butter chicken has an added generous dollop of butter on top.

How do we make this healthy? 

My recipe calls for 2 tbsp of oil initially for sautéing the onions, plus a generous dollop of butter in the end. Instead, I add 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of oil for sautéing the onions, and minus the butter in the end. My recipe called for frying marinated chicken and then shredding it. I just grill/broil the chicken in the oven instead.

While making the cashew paste, I add a tbsp of melon seeds while reducing the cashew quantity a bit. And grind it with milk instead of water to make a thick and creamy paste (thereby avoiding the cream in the end).

I substitute the fresh cream with either milk or thick buttermilk. If I’m in a festive mood, I add 1 tbsp of fresh cream to 150 ml of milk (Small indulgences are always allowed). Make sure to remove your gravy from the flame after 30 seconds of adding the milk/buttermilk as this will otherwise curdle in the gravy.

4. Pizza Made Healthy 

Pizzas are bad unless you try this whole wheat pizza base!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup ground oats
  • 1 tbsp yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 Tsp pepper powder
  • 1 tsp oregano (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried basil (optional)

Method

  1. Dissolve the sugar in the lukewarm water. Mix the yeast in it and keep for 15 – 20 minutes in a warm place.
  2. Mix all the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients, including the yeast mixture, mix with a spoon, and bring together with your hands, you may have to wet your hands a bit.
  3. Keep it for proving in a warm and dry place, for 2 hours. The dough will have expanded to double or more volume at this time. Punch it down once and shape into balls. Roll each ball and flatten to make a thin pizza base.
  4. If you want to pre-bake the base, bake at 200°C for 8 minutes in a preheated oven. If you are making the pizza directly, then add the desired toppings and bake at 200°C for 10 – 15 minute.
  5. The same recipe for bread can also be used for other recipes like rolls and buns.

We hope this article on your favorite recipes made healthy helps you enjoy your food without any guilt! For more healthy recipes, click here or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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