By Joan Lopez Flores

Summer is the perfect time for new beginnings. It’s the time for beach parties and sun and sand. So what better way to relish it than shedding off a good 10 pounds, pronto? Check out these three easy tips you might already know but just need to carry out with more gusto.

Okay, right about now you’re probably going, “Uh-oh, not another crash diet program!” But really, this is nowhere near any disappointing get-thin-quick scheme. And there’s actually nothing too extraordinary about these guidelines. You’ve most likely heard of them but they’re just too common-sounding that you’d rather turn to expensive books and videos, or slip into a so-and-so diet for its fancy title and larger-than-life promises.

While the plain logic of weight loss is simply burning more calories than you take in, these little tricks will help you burn more fat off faster. Stick to the drill and expect 10 pounds off in two weeks, or even less!

1. Drink more water! Increasing your water intake daily leads to weight loss in more ways than one. For starters, water contains no calories, fat, or cholesterol and is low in sodium. So it’s best to scrap off your soda, coffee, and other drink options and go H2O when trying to lose weight.

Water is a natural appetite suppressant, not to mention the very agent our body needs to metabolize fat. Bumping up your body’s water supply also alerts the brain that excess water needs to be released, flushing out with it stored fats and cholesterol, via your kidneys. Plus, it’s a great way to keep hydrated if you intend on exercising to lose weight.

2. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Much like your body retaining water when you don’t drink enough, your metabolism goes into conservation mode when you eat only a few large meals a day. So if you’re into skipping breakfast or eating a large lunch and dinner, you better start changing things around big time. Eat five to six smaller meals a day to rev up your metabolism and program your body to burn fat faster.

3. Move more—it makes all the difference!
Dr. Andrew Greenberg, director of the Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University, cites a number of factors that lead to weight gain in adults. He says that while some of it may be attributed to the aging process, most of the blame rests on lowered activity levels.

To counter this, pump up your cardio simply by making small changes in your routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take five- to ten-minute breaks at work at least twice a day to walk around the building. Lift that water bottle or paperweight on your desk to help build muscle. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to get yourself going and burning extra calories.

With this three-step plan, there’s no excuse not to slip into that swimsuit or those booty-hugging slacks any time soon. These tips are 100 percent healthy, minus any fat burner or artificial laxative that could jeopardize your well-being. Not bad at all, if you ask me.

Looking forward to a thinner, healthier you this season.

Photo: “Sunset - Kids at Play” by Jeridaking
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