That's Fit

It seems like there are millions of methods out there from which to choose when it comes to losing weight. Choosing the way that is right for you, however, can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles. It's easy to become confused by the overwhelming number of options, only to ultimately not choose any at all. It sort of reminds me of when a larger fish approaches a school of smaller fish. There are so many fish clustered together in the school that the larger fish seems to become disoriented and paralyzed by the need to make a decision based on too many options.

To help prevent against a similar disorientation when it comes to diet, I thought it would be best to pare down that enormous list of weight loss tips to a mere two.

1. Eat More Protein. Because protein is the most satiating food group, you will feel fuller for longer periods of time, thus reducing snack cravings. Adequate protein intake is also necessary for building muscles. And, the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be. Active women should aim to eat around .5g of protein per 1 pound of body weight they carry, while active men should shoot for around 1g per 1 pound of body weight.

2. Limit Simple Sugars. Simple sugars -- such as those found in white pasta, white rice, bagels, fruit drinks, and candy -- are digested quickly, which can result in a spike in blood sugar. As a result, your pancreas will produce insulin to help regulate your soaring glucose levels, and you're then left with a low blood sugar level. That's when the hunger kicks right back in. If you then eat yet another high-sugar food, this vicious cycle starts up all over again and, before long, fat storage will increase and you will gain weight. Do your best to stick to low-GI (glycemic index) carbs such as whole wheat grains, vegetables, fruits (although some fruits are rather high-GI, so be sure to check at www.glycmicindex.com), and legumes.