A Simple Tweak To More Successful Weight Loss – Cutting Out The Sugar

By: Sean Byrne

All over the world, weight problems and obesity are on the rise and nearing epidemic levels. In
the US alone, more than two thirds of the population is overweight with a staggering 34 percent
classified as obese.

This is a clear indication that something has gone wrong with the way we are eating. Oftentimes,
we blame the extra weight on a high intake of fat; however we must understand that it’s not
actually the fat that’s responsible for such alarming figures. When you look deeper into the
typical American diet, you will notice that it’s the excessive consumption of carbohydrates
coming from a sugar-rich diet that’s making a lot of people unhealthy and overweight.

All things considered, the most sensible thing to do in order to lose the unhealthy weight is to
maintain a healthy lifestyle and do a simple tweak such as eliminating sugar from your diet. The
benefits of doing so are plenty and weight loss will become less of a challenge.

Here are a few simple ways to cut on the sugar:

1. Switch to a diet low in carbs and high in protein. Excess carbs are kept in the body in
the form of stored fat while protein helps to build muscle instead of fat. Poultry products
such as turkey and lean, white chicken meat are great options. Fish is also a good choice
for proteins. If you’re a vegetarian, tofu is a very good protein source. Protein foods
also help keep you feeling satiated for longer periods and don’t bring about the cravings
normally associated with carb-rich foods.
2. Try to avoid all kinds of sugar – refined, brown, granulated, raw or organic. Some people
think that by taking brown instead of refined sugar, they are actually doing a good thing.
The bottom line is that brown sugar is still sugar and we are trying to eliminate all forms
of sugar to overcome the weight challenge.
3. Read labels to find hidden sources of sugar. They can come in less familiar names such
as glucose, dextrin, dextrose, fructose, lactose, sucrose and maltose. It could be hard at
the start, but you can actually train your taste buds not to miss the sweetness of sugar in
the long run.
4. If you find it hard to say goodbye to the sweetness of sugar, you may use artificial
sweeteners sparingly. Artificial sweeteners have their own set of disadvantages -
saccharin and aspartame have been reported to have long term adverse health effects.
Stevia is a good option to consider since it’s an all-natural, plant based sugar substitute.
5. Fill yourself up with lots of greens and veggies. Vegetables are high in fiber and can keep
you feeling full for longer periods. You actually crave for sweet foods because of highs
and lows in your blood sugar levels. Eating vegetables in generous amounts can help
eliminate these cravings. Lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and pepper
can make up a significant portion of your meals. Chilled carrot and celery sticks also
make very good snack items to munch on.
6. Whole grain products such as brown or black rice and oatmeal are highly recommended
when you are attempting to cut your sugar intake. They stuff you up easily and eliminate
those hunger cravings that crop up in between meals.
7. Hydrate yourself well. Drink lots of water during the day to keep yourself feeling full.

Water also detoxifies your system and eliminates harmful toxins that slow down your
metabolism.

The benefits of eliminating sugar from your diet extend beyond just plain weight loss. A host of
medical conditions have actually been circumvented or reversed by eradicating sugar from the
daily diet. Many people have achieved healthier states and you, too, can start feeling healthier
both inside and out simply by cutting your sugar intake.

Author: Sean Byrne has a keen interest in healthy eating and fitness. He has a particular interest in plant based diets and running to maintain his fitness levels. Sean’s website ItsAboutTreadmills.com reviews many treadmill brands which are available to purchase online. Some of the most popular treadmills you’ll find on his website would be this sole treadmill, or this cheaper end sole treadmill. Sean also likes to read, meet new people and sunshine!

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Matt

Co-Founder at Share It Fitness

Matt has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years and has worked with, and helped countless individuals improve their lives. After college, Matt started his fitness career working in the trenches as a personal trainer for a big corporate gym. It was here he saw how impersonal Big Fitness really was. Clients weren't people, they were just sales waiting to be made. After branching out and starting his own personal training business in San Diego, Matt soon developed the idea of Share It Fitness and started our (now highly successful) blog. A fitness junkie himself, Matt knows the importance of incorporating exercise into your life. When he isn't working at Share It Fitness, you can find Matt running, biking, taking yoga, or pumping iron around San Diego.

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