I rarely post articles by people other than myself. However, I just got this article from Lee Labrada in my inbox and thought I would share it with you. Just like all of Lee’s writings, it has good, no-nonsense advice.
Take it away Lee…
Happy New Year! It’s the time of year when we start our get-in-shape programs, so this week I am giving you 10 Fat Burning Tips to Kick Off The New Year that you can use today to start melting away that unwanted holiday body fat! Time to rev up your engine and get lean.
Speaking of getting lean, the best way that I know how is
to set a goal for yourself. OK, I know, you’ve heard all about goal setting before. But you know what? It works. When you have a clear, concise goal, your chances of attaining it are much greater than when you work without a goal. And if you don’t already have a goal, I have one that I can give you right now!
It’s my 2009 Lean Body Challenge and it can provide you with the goal and motivation that you need to make your shape up plans a reality. Hundreds have already registered, and you can too by clicking here: www.leanbodychallenge.com It’s absolutely free to register. But you need to register today, because time is running out. January 12, 2009 is the last day for entries, so hurry!
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. There’s no feeling like the one you get when you make a positive change in your life. Perhaps you’ve never been in good shape before. Or perhaps you were in great shape at one time, but you need to get back into shape. Either way, now’s the time to do it.
And the 2009 Lean Body Challenge is the perfect way to get you motivated to get in great shape! You’ll be provided with my free 12 week Lean Body nutrition program to help you. And, you will be competing against yourself to make improvements in your body. That’s what former Lean Body Challenge participants say is the greatest reward of entering the LBC: the sense of accomplishment and empowerment that you get when you complete the Challenge. You’re not to late to participate! Register now by clicking here.
The Grand Prize is a cruise for two to sunny Cozumel, Mexico! Best of all, all who enter win again and again on a personal level with the sense of accomplishment, improved self-image, increased energy, and a leaner, healthier body.
The really cool thing about the Challenge is that it’s personal. People from all walks of life enter. Whether you are sedentary and overweight or an athlete that needs a little push to get back in shape, the 2009 Lean Body Challenge is for you.
Now, here are 10 Fast, Fat Burning Tips:
1. Start today. Procrastination is the thief of opportunity. Putting your exercise and diet off another day is not going to help you one bit. If you are not already exercising, start today. Stop by the gym on the way home. Get a 15-minute walk in tonight before dinner. It’s your choice. Just make up your mind to start and as they say in the Nike commercials, “Just Do It.”
2. Get a “Body Buddy.” It’s easier to stick with your fat burning exercise program when you have someone to exercise with. It’s more fun, and it will help to keep you on track when you know that you are accountable to someone. Idea: why not ask your spouse or best friend to enter the Lean Body Challenge with you? Once you are in shape, become a Fitness Evangelist™. A Fitness Evangelist is someone who preaches fitness to others and helps them get into shape. Together, we can change the country and get our friends in shape! You can become a Fitness Evangelist™ by forwarding this Lean Body Coach newsletter to a friend right now.
3. Choose Lower Fat Alternatives to High Fat foods. Here are some examples: Switch from regular Vitamin D milk to skim milk.; Use Molly McButter or other artificially flavored butter powder instead of butter or margarine; choose nonfat cheese over fat laden regular cheese; choose turkey, chicken, or fish over pork, ham, bacon, lunch meats, lamb or beef; choose baked foods over fried foods; choose baked non-fat potato chips over regular potato chips, or better yet, just eat crispy fresh raw veggies such as celery or carrots for snacks instead.
4. Add vegetable and fruits to your diet. Just skip the fat-laden salad dressings and sauces when you eat these natural wonders. Veggies and fruit add roughage to your diet, keeping you healthy. They also add bulk to your meal, making you feel fuller, without adding a ton of calories.
5. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Eating small frequent meals throughout the day stimulates your metabolism, enabling you to burn more calories, even at rest. Instead of three large meals each day, eat three medium meals, with snacks in between. If you have trouble eating frequently during the day, try a delicious Lean Body® Ready-to-Drink shake, or Lean Body® Hi-Protein Energy Bar They will help you to get in shape faster by providing great tasting, nutrient rich nutrition to your body.
6. Pack your own lunch. If you wait until you are hungry before saying “What can I eat?” you are doomed from the start. Once you get hungry, you’ll eat anything! Pack your healthy meals in Tupperware and Zip Lok bags and carry them to work or school with you in a small cooler. Preparation is the key! Again, if you have trouble getting your meals, try a Lean Body Ready to Drink Shake They are fast, convenient, and nutritious.
7. Eat breakfast. This is perhaps the most important meal of the day. That’s because breakfast gets your blood sugar up in the morning and helps to keep your energy levels high throughout the day. Skip the coffee and donut. Try a bowl of oatmeal and scrambled Egg Beaters instead. You’ll feel the difference.
8. Drink lots of water. 8-10 glasses of water per day is just what the doctor ordered, regardless of the controversy of how much is enough. Staying hydrated will keep you feeling fuller so that you don’t overeat. It also helps with the process of elimination of waste products that your body produces when it burns fat.
9. Do at least 30 minutes of aerobics 3 times per week Doing aerobic training helps to burn fat while you are exercising, builds your endurance, and helps to increase blood flow throughout the body. In short, it’s good for you! Try riding a stationary bike, or riding your bike through the neighborhood. Walking, jogging, and swimming are fine too. Get your heart rate up and break a sweat!
10. Do at least 30 minutes of weight training 3-5 times per week. Weight training is at the heart of any successful exercise program designed to increase muscle and burn fat. It builds muscle tissue, which in turn increases your metabolism, so that you burn more fat for energy, even at rest.
10.5 Remember that Rome wasn’t built in one day! If you have spent the last ten years getting yourself out of shape, don’t expect to develop the body of a Roman god or goddess over night. You can expect to see changes (sometimes dramatic!) inside 12 weeks, but you have to stick with your program. Nothing worthwhile is accomplished over night. Just remember that YOU CAN DO IT. Many have and so can you. Hang in there long enough to give yourself a chance to succeed!
If you don’t already have a program, you can get my free 12 Week Lean Body Program by clicking here. Or perhaps you feel like you might need just a little more help. If that’s you, you owe it to yourself to check out my Get Lean Kit, a book that can make single-digit body fat levels a reality with easy step-by-step instructions.
Yours for a Leaner Body,
Lee Labrada
Your Lean Body Coach™
Houston, Texas
