A sculpted physique is a byproduct of a well-structured diet and the self-discipline to attack the weights every day of your workout split. But as summer approaches and you look to shed fat while continuing to gain strength, it’s important to remember that achieving a fitness goal is a marathon and not a sprint. To keep your metabolism high and your body burning fat over the long haul, use these fat-burning tips …
1. Eat eggs for breakfast.
Packed with protein, eggs might help you stay fuller longer (read: they can stop you from feeling snacky or from munching on something sugary or sweet, like a store-bought muffin). And feel free to eat the entire egg. Long thought as a cholesterol-heavy element to eggs, turns out the yoke is off the hook. A recent study of 1,000 middle-aged men found that yokes don’t negatively impact heart health.
2. Add interval training to your workout routine. Studies show that interval training is an excellent way to get the most fat burning out of your workout without spending all day training.
3. Choose your carbs wisely.
Opt for slow-digesting carbohydrate choices, like brown rice and whole grains. And try to pair your carbs with protein.
4. Drink milk.
Well, unless you’re lactose intolerant, obviously. Point is, find a method that delivers more calcium to your diet. Calcium helps control fat production while promoting the burning of fat, especially around your abdomen.
6. Slash carbohydrate intake.
Cutting carbs for two days in a row every two weeks forces your body to burn its stores of glycogen, which is unused stores of carbs kept in your muscles. Your body makes more room for fat when glycogen stores are high and burns fat when they are low, so depleting your stores periodically helps burn fat.
7. Don’t overtrain.
For fat loss, the optimum workout should not exceed 75 minutes.
8. Eat grapefruit.
The Scripps Clinic in San Diego found that men who ate half a grapefruit or drank 24 ounces of grapefruit juice every day lost 4 pounds in 12 weeks without making any other changes to their diet. Hate grapefruit? Try apples. Research has shown that eating an apple a day may boost endurance, strength, and fat loss.
9. Embracing healthy fats.
Salmon, sardines, and other fish contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re not a fish fan, up your intake of avocados, olive oil, and peanut butter. Fats provide energy and omega-3s also work to keep hair, skin, and nails looking and feeling healthy, too.
10. Perform fasted cardio. Meaning, when you’re not full of fuel (read: food). Cardio workouts are best done in the morning before breakfast. Do your cardio after a big meal and the increase in insulin may block your ability to burn fat effectively.
To get the most out of each workout you need plenty of rest, proper nutrition, and the right supplementation. P4 workout and sports supplements are potent, high-quality products that can help you fuel up before you train, push through a grueling workout session, and advance recovery. For more information on P4’s NSF Certified for Sport line of products, check out Pre Game Formula, Energy Formula, and Recovery Push Formula.
