7/7 March 13

Though putting on weight is fairly easy, peeling it off is a task that is not quite as simple. Weight loss should be approached as a long, sustainable journey—but sometimes you need to kick your efforts into high gear. Rather than crash dieting or liquefying all your meals, there are certain changes you can make to boost your efforts for lasting effects, even if you lose weight fast.
From simple diet tweaks and easy to follow exercise tips, Bob Harper has found a formula that produces results. As outlined in his book Jumpstart to Skinny, here are the best tips to support your weight loss agenda—fast.
Mindless munching will put the kibosh on any diet unless, of course, you’re binge-eating broccoli. While cutting calories can help you lose weight fast, you run the risk of feeling deprived and ruining your efforts in the long-term. Rather than overly restricting yourself, Harper suggests falling back on veggies like bell peppers and cucumbers. In fact, this is the only part of your diet that you don’t have to pay attention to. Since vegetables like these are low in calories and dense in vital nutrients, you can pretty much eat as much as you want. Just skip the dips!
Our bodies need carbs to function adequately, so quit cutting them out in the name of weight loss! Think of carbohydrates as fat-burning fuel; they provide our bodies with the energy we need to make it through a tough workout, help repair and replenish exhausted muscles and keep us mentally focused. Harper turns mostly to simple carbs like fruits and veggies to stay fit and keeps complex carb intake under a tight watch. When incorporating complex carbs into your diet, stick to modest portions of things like sweet potatoes and whole grains.
While you don’t need to get rid of carbs altogether, there is a way you can use them to your advantage when you’re looking to shed a few pounds. Since complex carbs may increase appetite due to spikes in insulin levels, Harper recommends limiting your intake to the first half of the day. Think sweet potatoes and eggs or quinoa porridge for breakfast. By doing this, you’ll prevent late night cravings and cut your risk for overeating, plus it helps you to lose weight fast. Not to mention, you’ll energize your body for the rest of the day and make it easier to push through tough workouts.
To rid your body of unwanted fat, you’ve got to eat fat. The key is consuming the right kind in small (emphasis on small) amounts. According to Harper, healthy fats help crush hunger, fuel our bodies, and keep our cells healthy and functioning optimally. Steer clear of saturated fats and mindfully incorporate healthy options like olive oil, nuts, and avocado into your diet to encourage greater weight loss so you lose weight fast.