CARBS AND WEIGHT LOSS: WHAT CAN I EAT?

A lot of people ask me if they can eat carbs and still lose weight. The answer is yes, of course you can. To lose weight all you have to do is burn off more calories than you eat.

A more accurate question would be“can I eat carbs, lose weight and achieve the results I want?”

When most people picture themselves after losing weight they envision having a flat and toned stomach. The reality is that losing weight can result in lose and saggy skin, Even worse, belly fat is often really difficult for many people to lose even as their overall weight decreases.

If one of your weight loss goals includes having a toned stomach(and seeing your abs) then let’s talk about carbs.

GOOD CARBS VS BAD CARBS

There are two types of carbs: the bad kind and the good kind. The bad kind often taste good but add little nutritional value to your body because they are high in sugar. In fact, eating bad carbs will often lead to a sugar crash followed by a craving for even more carbs/sugar. This is a vicious cycle that will make losing weight and getting a toned stomach very difficult to achieve.

Here are some bad carbs you should avoid eating:

• Candy
• Sugar
• White rice, white bread and white pasta
• Pastries and desserts (bagels, donuts and muffins)
• Soda and fruit juice
• Instant oatmeal

Good carbsare digestedslowly so that your blood sugar remains stable and you enjoy sustained energyinstead of a high followed by a crash. Additionally, thefiber and high nutrient content of these carbs helps you stay feeling satisfied after a meal. This means not only will you not experienced a sugar crash but you also won’t have intense cravings for more food.

Here are some good carbs you can enjoy:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Oatmeal
• Seeds and nuts
• Chia
• Yams
• Lentils and beans
• Whole grain bread products

HOW MANY CARBS SHOULD I EAT A DAY?

There are plenty of myths circulating around the Internet that say you can’t eat any carbs if you want to have a six pack of abs. The truth is you can eat (good)carbs you just can’t eat them in excess!

It’s recommended that you mainly fill your plate with protein and good fats. Muscle and Fitness experts say to “limited your carbs to 100 grams or less for 4-5 days.” This helps your body go into fat-burning mode. After this period of low carbs you should increase your carb intake to 250-300 grams for two days to boost your metabolism.

The experts say, “too many carbs can make you fat, but too few for an extended period can slow your metabolism.” I recommend that you eat good carbs in the morning to give you energy throughout the day. You could also eat them before and after a workout.

Try a bowl of oatmeal in the morning for breakfast, a fruit plate prior to your workout and then a sweet potatoafterwards.

WHAT ABOUTTHIS BELLY FAT?

If you limit your carbs per day and also have an exercise routine that incorporates cardio and strength training you will be on your way to achieving a tight and toned stomach.

If you’ve already lost weight but still can’t see your abs, it’s time to focus in on that last layer of belly fat that won’t go away. The easiest way to manage this is through diet so follow the tips in the section before this one.

You should also work on strengthening your core. Doing crunches alone won’t help you get the six pack you want. Instead you should focus on core exercises like planks, v-ups and flutter kicks.

To speed up your results I also recommend applying Gel-V before every workout. Gel-V is a skin tightening gel that is formulated to work on stubborn fat often found on the belly, hips, thighs and booty.

If you have loose skin that won’t seem to go away no matter how much you diet correctly and exercise you need Gel-V. It’s helped thousands of people achieve the look they want (just read through the reviews)!

Follow me on Instagram @VannaBelt for daily tips on weight loss and getting in shape!