Sunday Independent (Ireland)

THREE QUICK TIPS FOR LOSING BODY FAT

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WATCH CALORIES AND PORTION SIZES The healthy-eating movement of the past few years has benefitted people in so many ways, though I think many people still struggle with weight loss, even when they’re eating ‘clean’.

Healthy food can still contain plenty of calories, so you must be careful when replacing processed snacks with nuts and nut butters, or adding avocado and dressing to salads, as their calories can quickly add up.

Do you find calorie counting tedious? Another useful way to lose weight is to use your hands for portion control. In a main meal, your serving of protein, such as beans, should be roughly the size of your palm; your serving of grains or carbs, such as sweet potato, should be the size of your fist; your portion of low-carb veggies and salad should be at least the size of your cupped hands together; and your serving of healthy fat or dressing should be about the size of your thumb. GET ACTIVE It’s very difficult to achieve sustainabl­e, healthy body-fat loss without exercise. Keeping active helps to burn excess calories and build up lean muscle mass to boost your resting metabolic rate. I find that a combinatio­n of weight training and cardio really works to build muscle while burning body fat, but it’s important to do what you enjoy and what you can fit into your lifestyle. EAT SMALL MEALS REGULARLY To encourage your metabolism to function optimally, try eating five or six smaller meals each day, and aim to eat every three or four hours. This ensures that your blood-sugar levels remain stable throughout the day and your body is fed a consistent stream of amino acids and other nutrients to support energy levels, muscle repair and a good mood.

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