Weight Loss & Diet Plans

One woman is currently going viral for her weight-loss transformation, and it's inspiring as hell. Imgur user autumn8481 posted two photos of herself on the image-sharing website - one holding up an old pair of jeans and one showing her slimmed-down body in all its glory. Related: Amanda's Secret to Losing Over 100 Pounds Wasn't a Diet In her caption, she explained how the jeans were ones she wore back when she weighed 285 pounds. She explained that she was "so heavy" because she was "forced to eat or face horrific abuse from an ex." In her second snapshot, the woman explains how she now weighs 195 pounds - that's a 90-pound loss! - and is very content. To date, her photos have been viewed more than 100,000 times, and nearly 300 other users have commented on the post to show their support for her weight-loss journey. One commenter wrote, "You are cute and curvy!" and another wrote, "You look fantastic! Here's to you b...

As we age and our metabolisms slow, it's easy to pack on a few pounds without realizing it. But a new study has found that making consistent changes to your eating habits can lead to big weight-loss results over time. Related: The Magic Protein Formula For Weight Loss The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , followed the dietary habits of over 120,000 people for 16 years and found that those who ate foods that had a high glycemic load (which includes refined grains, starches, and sugars) gained more weight than those who ate foods with a low glycemic load (foods such as nuts, dairy, and certain fruits and vegetables). This isn't surprising or new; other research has shown that going lower on the glycemic index (GI) scale will help you lose weight . What is interesting in the new study, however, is that other key habits can mean the difference between pounds on the scale. Check out what else the researchers found about weight gain and loss: Th...

If you want to lose weight, you've got to work smarter, not harder, and that's why weight-loss hacks can make all the difference. Just add a few of these into your routine and you'll start seeing results with minimal effort. Related: Before and After: How 1 Woman Lost Half Her Size from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/2l1hQBR

Chock-full of protein, eggs are a quick and easy way to get this essential nutrient anytime of the day. From omelets in the morning to quiche at night, you may be shying away from the yolks to save calories and cholesterol. The yolk may contain all the fat, but it also contains most of the vitamins and nutrients. Take a look at the comparison below to see what you may be missing when you only eat the whites. 1 egg white 1 egg yolk 1 whole egg Calories 16 54 71 Total fat (g) 0 5 5 Saturated fat (g) 0 2 2 Cholesterol (mg) 0 211 211 Sodium (mg) 55 8 70 Carbs (g) 0 1 0 Fiber (g) 0 0 0 Sugars (g) 0 0 0 Protein (g) 4 3 6 Vitamin A (IU) 0 244 244 Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0 0.3 0.6 Vitamin D (IU) 0 18.2 17.5 Calcium (mg) 2.3 21.9 26.5 Folate (mcg) 1.3 24.8 23.5 Potassium (g) 53.8 18.5 67 Selenium (mcg) 6.6 9.5 15.8 Omega-3s (mg) 0 38.8 37 Related: Meet the Easiest Low-Carb, Protein-Pac...

Not every workout has to be a no-holds-barred sweat fest, but we're not going to lie: those days when you crush it at the gym are the ones that are going to help you see results fast. So pound that pre-workout shake, and take this hour-long workout with you the next time you want an effective workout. The intense workout is one of The Biggest Loser: Australia trainer Michelle Bridges's secrets for burning calories fast, and it's not for beginners. This particular workout from Michelle's book Total Body Transformation ($17) comes at weeks nine and 10 of her 12-week plan, so if you're new to the gym, then start off slow, modify, or try one of our beginner-friendly workouts instead. If you're up for a challenge, however, check out the workout below, learn the moves, print the workout , and get ready to burn calories and boost your metabolism. Related: A Total-Body Strength-Building 5x5 Workout To start, do a warmup: three minutes on the rowing machine, endi...

Over the years, I've allowed myself to be a guinea pig when it comes to diet trends; I've gone pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, and most recently, Paleo. Based on the dietary habits of our cave-dwelling ancestors, the Paleo diet has continued to gain popularity within health circles, especially CrossFit enthusiasts. This high-protein, low-carb diet strictly prohibits foods like grains, beans, wheat, and dairy and has been linked to story after story of successful weight loss and the elimination of digestive issues. After months of wavering back and forth, I decided to take the plunge, clean up my diet, and embark on a short Paleo project . Each stint in a different diet has taught me something, but I can say with complete sincerity that my Paleo experiment had profound effects on my relationships with food and my body . . . but I couldn't stick with it forever. What I Loved I Stopped Stressing About Calories As someone who had been a slave to counting calories in the ...

Sunny, warm weather wouldn't be the same without cooling off with an ice-cold beer. If grabbing a beer is your go-to beverage but you're trying to stick to a healthy diet, it's important to know the calorie counts of common brands. Check out this list of a few of the highest- and lowest-calorie beers so you can choose the one that's right for you. High-Calorie Beers Samuel Adams Boston Lager: 180 calories Guinness Extra Stout: 176 calories Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: 176 calories Pete's Wicked Ale: 172 calories Anheuser-Busch Ice Pale Lager: 171 calories Harpoon IPA: 170 calories Heineken: 166 calories Long Trail: 163 calories Killian's Irish Red: 162 calories Molson Ice: 160 calories Related: A Calorie Comparison of Your Favorite Beers Low-Calorie Beers Budweiser Select 55: 55 calories Beck's Premier Light: 63 calories Miller 64: 64 calories Amstel Light: 95 calories Anheuser-Busch Light Pale Lager: 95 calories Michelob Ultra: 95 calori...

Are you ready to take the leap of faith and change your life, starting with your health? Jen Widerstrom, trainer on The Biggest Loser , and author of Diet Right for Your Personality Type , has some weight-loss advice for you if you're just beginning your journey. "Don't make it harder than it really is," Jen told POPSUGAR. When we talked to her about her best words of wisdom for weight-loss newbies, she explained that it's all about small, simple steps - and all it takes is one day to get going. "One day of quality eating is like two weeks of workouts." "One day of quality eating is like two weeks of workouts," she said. It's that simple - you need "one quality day of food, water, sleep - which to me means get good rest, get your water in, get some healthy food in (like almonds with protein and fat, leafy greens)." And once you have that one day of solid nutrition, you'll start to build and gain traction. Related: 3 of t...

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, don't skip meals, and definitely don't skip breakfast! This is the best time to start loading up on carbs and protein so you have energy for the day and time to burn off those calories. Nutritionists Stephanie Clarke, RD, and Willow Jarosh, RD, of C&J Nutrition have shared the perfect equation for how to make a satisfying breakfast that will also help you lose weight. Aim for: Calories: 300 to 400 Fats: 10 to 15 grams Carbs: 30 to 55 grams Fiber: at least 6 grams Sugars: no more than 36 grams Protein: 13 to 20 grams So what can you eat? Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition shared these basic, easy, and satisfying recommendations: ADVERTISEMENT Steel-Cut Oatmeal 1/4 cup steel-cut oats 3 tablespoons almond meal (ground almonds; or use 10 chopped raw almonds) 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1/4 banana Calories: 366 Fat: 14 grams Carbs: 51 grams Fiber: 7 grams Sug...

As a certified pre- and postnatal fitness trainer and also a licensed social worker, I know something about physical and mental health. I have witnessed the undeniable link between the two and the dramatic impact the body and the mind can have on one another. New motherhood, for all the joy and privilege, brings with it a wealth of complex challenges. The body is reeling from nine months of physiological change, while the mind is adjusting to the overwhelming nature of being responsible for a life other than one's own. Related: 8 Stretches That Can Help Ease the Pain of Sciatica This is to say nothing of the external pressure our society places on postpartum women. We are expected to function on little to no sleep for months, to figure out (or feel guilty if we don't) the complexities of breastfeeding , and to somehow lose the baby weight before being discharged from the hospital. ADVERTISEMENT For those clients who come to me for assistance with that last goal, I...

You've tried eating healthy, tracking your macros , monitoring your portions, and exercising like crazy, but your body isn't where you want it to be. Enter: intermittent fasting. Although there are a variety of methods of intermittent fasting, most involve eating for a certain period of time and then not eating for a certain period of time. Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition says that aside from a number of health benefits including lowering diabetes and other disease risks, improving blood sugar levels, extending life spans, and improving memory, intermittent fasting could be another tool in your belt to help with weight loss or to break through a weight-loss plateau. She says, "It gets your body out of 'storage mode' and mobilizes fat stores for energy." This means that without having the constant source of food (fuel) you'd get from eating all day, your body will dip into the fat it already has stored. That...

It's rare that a lesser-known holiday actually means much — unless it's National Pizza Day , of course! But let's look at one of the most underappreciated dates some of us were talking about this week: National Nutritionist and Dietitian Day! Before you get caught up in the angst of eating right, relax! National nutritionist and dietitian day should be about empowering you with knowledge and support. That's why we consulted with culinary nutritionist Keisha Luke and asked her for all the pointers you need on how to pick the right nutritionist or dietitian for your needs! Ready to start your healthiest, tastiest journey ever? Communication Is Key If you're looking for guidance for smarter decisions in the grocery store, hiring a nutritionist or dietitian is the next logical step. According to Luke, communication is the cornerstone of a good relationship with any nutritionist: "For best results, you need to look for someone who listens with no judgments but ...

Gabourey Sidibe rose to fame in her debut role as Precious in the 2009 Oscar-nominated film of the same name. Since then, Gabourey has appeared on hit shows like American Horror Story and Empire . Now, the 33-year-old actress is opening up about her weight-loss journey and why she says she has learned to love her curvy body. In a new interview with People magazine , Gabourey shared it was a type 2 diabetes diagnosis from her doctor that prompted her decision to undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery last year. "I truly didn't want to worry about all the effects that go along with diabetes. I genuinely [would] worry all the time about losing my toes." Gabourey, who also struggled with anxiety, depression, and bulimia after her parents divorced, said she knew her relationship with food had to change in order to save her life. "The surgery wasn't the easy way out," she writes in her upcoming memoir, This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare , which hits she...

From the moment we were introduced to Kate, Chrissy Metz's character on the new hit series This Is Us , we were moved by her candid struggle to lose weight. We've found ourselves rooting for her success episode after episode. Chrissy been very open about how her character's struggle to lose weight parallels her own personal life , and now she's discussing her realistic body goals and her fears about her weight. In a new interview with Marie Claire , the 36-year-old actress reveals that she may call herself a lot of things — e.g., "overweight," "big," and "plus-size" — but "fat" is not something she likes to think of herself as. "I do want to lose weight," Chrissy said. "But not because anyone is telling me to do it." We recently learned that weight loss was in Chrissy contract for the show, but she's reiterating that it wasn't an "if you don't lose weight, you'll be fired" situati...

Did you know you can use the first meal of the day as a tool to lose weight? Want to know how? We've enlisted the expertise of two nutritionists — Stephanie Clarke, RD, and Willow Jarosh, RD, of C&J Nutrition — to share the perfect equation for how to make a scrumptious and satisfying breakfast that will help you lose weight. Follow their advice below to start seeing results. Related: A Clean-Eating Plan That Helps You Meal Prep Calories Aim for a range between 300 and 400 calories. If you're trying to lose weight, stick with the 300 to 350 range, and if you're trying to maintain weight, especially if you're working out, shoot closer to 350 to 400 calories. Related: I Started Saying "No" and Began Losing Weight Carbs About 45 to 55 percent of your breakfast calories should be devoted to carbs, which is about 40 to 55 grams of carbs. Skip sugary and overly processed foods or those made with enriched white flour, and choose whole grains, fruits, a...

Our next Before & After story comes from Amanda Fraijo-Tobin, who blogs about life after losing 130 pounds on her blog Friday Love Song , which is part of our POPSUGAR Select Fitness network. Below, she shares how she lost the weight and how she keeps it off. Amanda: Before Growing up, I wasn't severely overweight — sure, I had a pudgy stage, but a lot of people did! My weight wasn't something I thought much about being a kid (as it shouldn't be). My parents had good intentions, like most, but we certainly did not grow up eating very healthy. Snacks, soda, meals prepared without nutritional aspects considered. Soda became a very bad habit for me, especially as I got into my teens and didn't have anyone stopping me from drinking so many. Fast-forward to high school — like most high school girls, I thought I was fat. Even though, in retrospect, I clearly wasn't. I didn't let it consume my life, though I was a little on the chubby side (so I thought) and...

If you're watching your waistline and enjoying an ice-cold brew, then you'll probably want to see how beers compare. The numbers may surprise you. Here's the nutritional info for one glass, can, or bottle of beer (about 12 ounces). Keep in mind that even though there may be health benefits associated with drinking alcohol , they only come with drinking in moderation. For women, that means one drink a day. Related: 5 Foolproof Ways to Get Rid of Your Beer Belly Beer Brand Calories Carbs (g) Alcohol Percent Amstel Light 95 5 3.5 Anchor Steam 158 14.2 4.9 Anheuser-Busch Ice Pale Lager 171 12.5 5.9 Anheuser-Busch Light Pale Lager 95 3.2 4.1 Beck's Pilsner 138 9 5 Beck's Premier Light 63 3.8 2.3 Budweiser 145 10.6 5 Bud Light 110 6.6 4.2 Budweiser Select 99 3.1 4.3 Budweiser Select 55 55 1.8 2.4 Colt 45 157 10.8 5.6 Coors 149 12.2 5 Coors Light 102 5 4.2 Corona Extra 148 14 4.6...

Like most people trying to lose weight, I listened to the experts. Instead of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I started scheduling meals and snacks so I was eating five or six times a day. This worked out to noshing on something every couple hours — 7 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. snack, 12 p.m. lunch, 3 p.m. snack, 5:30 p.m. dinner, and sometimes a late-night snack. The purpose was to ensure my hunger was satiated to prevent feeling so famished at each meal that I'd overeat. But then I realized I was eating all day long and never feeling hungry. I was also not losing weight. I was watching the clock instead of listening to my body. So which is better? When I asked certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD of Whole Health Nutrition to answer that question, she said, "It's better to eat when you are hungry. This is the concept of mindful eating." Every time you go to put something in your mouth, ask yourself if you are hungry. She also adds that it's impor...

Most people will agree that a successful weight-loss plan includes a healthy diet and movement. Luckily, what you eat and how much you move are the factors you can control. Maybe you're already doing this, but did you know that there are some unusual ways to help boost weight loss that you probably haven't heard of? Best of all, these tips aren't fads; they are actually backed by research. Keep in mind incorporating these unusual ways for weight loss won't alone get the pounds to come off . However, adding them to your current routine may give you the extra boost you're looking for! 1. Smell more vanilla Taste and smell go hand in hand. If you smell something delicious, chances are it will encourage your appetite for that food. The opposite is also true. If we smell something revolting, appetite usually goes down. ADVERTISEMENT Smelling vanilla may actually help calm dessert cravings. This sweet scent has a calming effect on the part of the brain where...