My Lose Weight Tips: Quickest Way to Lose 20 Pounds - Blogger

The best and most effective way to lose 20 pounds is to incorporate a diet program and regular exercise routine. The basic weight-loss formula requires you to burn an extra 3,500 calories per week to lose a pound. With this knowledge, you can set a weight-loss goal and time frame for completion.

Diet Plan

The Mayo Clinic says you can reduce binge eating and minimize hunger pangs by eating several mini meals throughout the day rather than the traditional three-meal schedule. "Eating a healthy snack of low-fat crackers or fruit may stop you from taking second or third helpings at your next meal, dramatically cutting the calories you consume," the clinic says. Two benefits of this eating cycle: You can increase your metabolism and gain energy. This allows you to burn more calories and exercise more regularly. An eating schedule could look like this:

Breakfast

Healthy snack two or three hours later

Lunch

Healthy snack two or three hours later

Dinner

Final healthy snack two or three hours later

A quick way to lower your calorie intake will begin by substituting healthy snacks for high-calorie comfort foods. Choose snacks that carry high amounts of fiber. These are most typically found in low-fat crackers or whole-grain items. Other snacks such as fruits and vegetables provide your body with a feeling of being full while giving you nutritional value. Seeds and nuts provide high protein content, but keep the portions small--they also are high in calories.

Exercise

The best workout program to incorporate is one that provides strength building and cardio. It is not necessary to exercise for hours per day. The goal is to work out for 20-40 minutes per session. You need not join an expensive gym. You can work all the muscle groups in the body at home without equipment, if you choose. Exercises could include but are not limited to push-ups, crunches, step-ups, lunges, squats, dips and rows.

Schedule

Your exercise schedule should balance strength building and cardio training. Both provide excellent calorie- and fat-burning results with consistency. Ideally, do strength-building exercises two to three times per week and cardio three to five days per week. Never do strength training on consecutive days: Your muscles need 24 hours to recuperate after the workout. Also don't do strength training on the same days you do cardio.

A sample schedule: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, do 20-40 minutes of strength building. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, do a cardio activity for 20-40 consecutive minutes.

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