Over the last 6 months, you've probably heard me talking about my successful weight loss and now that the weight is gone, I have been maintaining and starting to tone up my muscles now. One of my trainers shared some great tips with me and I wanted to share them with you.

I have dropped 60 pounds and continue to keep it off thanks to the help from Rejuv Medical in Waite Park. One of the things they provide to anyone who is interested is a monthly newsletter all about health and fitness. It includes some great articles, recipes and general health information.

This month's email was especially interesting for me as I have started working on muscle tone. Now that the weight is gone, I need to get a little tone to my body and J.R. Burgess from Rejuv Medical shared 5 Flat Tummy Myths and 3 Steps To Tight Abs. So many people look for the easy way to lose weight and I have learned there is no magic pill or easy way out of it. It takes dedication and a strong will to succeed. I know that's hard because I was in the same spot - I didn't have the motivation to get up and actually do something about my weight. That was before I started with Rejuv Medical. Here are the tips that J.R shared with me and I hope they are helpful to you!

Myth #1: Take diet pills to speed results.
I know it's so tempting! The ads make compelling claims about the power of popping a pill, but don't fall for it. There is no ‘magic pill'. Diet pills are more likely to burn through your pocketbook than to slim you down.

  • Tip: Don't pop a pill - instead burn calories with intense exercise.

Myth #2: Do extra crunches to flatten your abs.
Excessive crunches aren't the answer for tight abs. In order to achieve a toned look you'll have to focus on burning off the layer of fat that is covering up your tummy.

  • Tip: Don't obsess about crunches - instead focus on fat burning.

Myth #3: Turn to packaged diet products to boost results.
Don't fall for the foods that are packaged as ‘diet' or ‘weight loss' aids. Quite often these products are packed with refined sugar and other artificial ingredients that your body doesn't need, and certainly won't help you attain that tight tummy.

  • Tip: Don't eat packaged diet foods - instead stick with nutritious whole foods.

Myth #4: Avoid all carbohydrates in order to achieve tight abs.
Carbohydrates have been given a bad rap, which is unfortunate because you can (and should) eat carbs while slimming down. The key is to stick with whole grains, oatmeal and brown rice while avoiding processed and refined flours and sugars (see the recipe below for Power Oatmeal).

  • Tip: Don't give up all carbohydrates - instead stick with wholesome carbs.

Myth #5: Starve the chub away. Trying to lose weight by starving yourself is not only ineffective it can also be dangerous. It may seem that severe calorie restriction would deliver the quickest weight loss, but your body is complex and by doing so you'll disrupt your metabolism and slow your results.

  • Tip: Don't starve yourself - instead eat small wholesome meals throughout the day.

Now that you know what not to do in order to achieve tight abs, it's time to go over your flat tummy game plan. Here's what you need to know in 3 simple steps:

  • Step One: No more junk.
    The best way to do this is by purging your kitchen. Throw out the sugary, processed and fat-filled foods. Once the junk has been cleared out, don't buy any more of it. Remember that your beach-ready abs depend on what you eat – don't eat junk!
  • Step Two: Eat whole foods.
    Replace the junk food in your life with plenty of the following: cooked and raw vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, moderate amounts of seeds and nuts, lean meats and low fat dairy. Clean eating really is that simple.
  • Step Three: Come train with me.
    This is the most obvious step. You're ready to get into great shape and J.R. and the entire Rejuv Medical Team can help you get on your way!

Until I got motivated to lose the weight, I always felt that it would never happen. I always felt tired, I always felt sluggish and lethargic. Now that the weight is gone, I feel amazing! I have tons of energy all day long and I'm able to sleep better at night! Use some of the tips above and start feeling great! If I can do it, I know you can do it!

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