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Fitness Wisdom Wednesday: 5 Reasons to Eat Clean
Happy hump day everyone! I’ve talked about exercise and how to trim and tone your body in the gym or on Total Gym, but let’s get down to the heart of the matter…what we are putting into our bodies.
Many think exercise is the magic pill to circumvent the effects of what we consume. Wrong! Consider for a second all of the processed, trans-fatty and sodium-laden foods that are available at fast food restaurants and packaged meals. These foods go straight to the wrong places in our bodies, causing us to keep extra weight on despite hours at the gym.
This summer, try opting for cleaner foods to help achieve your weight loss and fitness goals. “Eating clean” means consuming natural, non-processed foods such as lean meats, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, complex carbohydrates (whole grains) and healthy fats found in nuts and avocados – the foods nature intended us to eat.
Here are 5 reasons to start eating clean:
- Eating clean is a lifestyle – not a diet. The word “diet” can be a downer. It seems restricting and can often result in a yo-yo weight gain/loss pattern. Eating clean is a lifestyle that requires dedication, but once you adopt a cleaner diet you’ll start to crave more wholesome, nutrient-rich foods that are naturally lower in calories. Recruit your significant other to eat clean with you. Having a partner makes adopting this new lifestyle a lot easier.
- It can be less expensive than buying processed foods. Often the more processed the food, the higher the cost. It seems chemicals can be expensive? Eating cleaner foods can actually save you money on your food bill.
- Body benefits. Experts agree that eating clean is effective for weight loss, can reduce body fat, boost your energy and decrease the risk of certain diseases like diabetes and stroke.
- Aesthetic benefits. Eating cleaner foods can also give skin and hair a healthier glow. Ladies, forget those expensive skincare products that promise the fountain of youth. A cleaner diet can boost your health and complexion!
- The 80/20 rule. If you follow through with eating clean 80 percent of the time, you’ll still see significant benefits. The other 20 percent includes an occasional cheat meal or alcoholic drink. Let’s be realistic – no one is a saint!
For more information about eating clean, visit www.eatcleandiet.com.
