Need Some fat-burning strategies?

We could all use a little help turning our bodies into fat-burning machines. One thing many people found in common during the pandemic was that packing on pounds was easier to do when you don’t have as many places to go.

You may find that the older you get, the harder it becomes to see those pounds drop off. After you turn 25, you start to lose muscle mass, and the metabolism slows down.

What’s great is there are both foods to help you burn fat and things you can do to get rid of calories. If you don’t see the scale moving, keep in mind that your body weight is made up of seven things.

• Muscle
• Bones
• Organs
• Fluids (including blood)
• Body fat
• Waste (the stuff inside your digestive tract you haven't eliminated yet)
• Glycogen (the form of carbohydrate stored in your liver and muscles as a backup fuel)

Fat-burning foods

• Nuts and nut butters
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Berries
• Chickpea flour is also a great baking alternative.
• This is a great food item.
• Tuna
• Salmon
• Sauerkraut
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Lentils
• Leafy greens like spinach and kale
• Cruciferous vegetables
• Kiwifruit
• Avocados

Adequate sleep

It’s important that you don't go to bed hungry. A lack of sleep will lead to weight gain and increased cravings. So, enjoy a light snack, like a banana or kiwifruit, before heading to bed to help you get better sleep.

You could also try this recipe for a skinny banana split made with greek yogurt. You will need the following ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana sliced in half
• 1/2 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt
• fresh berries of your choice
• a tiny bit of maple syrup or honey for sweetness (optional)

Physical activity

• When you get your body moving, you will start to burn fat and burn calories leading to weight loss.
• Adding strength training to your exercise routine will help you build muscle mass, which causes you to burn more calories, even when you are at rest.
• Try jumping jacks, burpees, squat jumps, high knees, or plank jacks to get your muscles moving and burning fat.

Watch out for carbs and added sugars in the foods you are purchasing. Check the labels and stay far away from processed foods. Processed foods are always full of trans fat, salt, and added sugar.

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see the pounds falling off. Adding muscle mass may cause your weight to stay the same, so a more accurate way to track fat loss is to measure around your waistline.

Mental strength is very important when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle. Surround yourself with people who are like-minded and will encourage you to stay on course.

Surround yourself with people that reflect who you want to be

and how you want to feel; energies are contagious. ~ Anonymous