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Fellow fat losers: Sunlight does so much for you Bina Bakshi, merinews 20 March 2007, Tuesday I HAVE NOTICED I enjoy my workouts more when I take them outside. I begin just after sunrise. I feel energized throughout the day and it seems more effective in keeping me lean. With spring around the corner, this means more sunshine to enhance your fat loss goals.


Sunlight has got a bad wrap in recent years. That’s unfortunate. Sunlight can play a valuable role in helping you achieve your fat loss goals. Time in the sun actually helps you sculpt your body in two ways.

Firstly, sunlight helps you build muscle. Sunlight causes more oxygen-rich blood to reach your muscles. This helps your body to build healthy muscle tissue. Research shows that sunlight affects your peak condition. Athletes are stronger in the summer than in winter.1


Secondly, getting more sun helps your body burn fat. Sunlight is your best source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body regulate calcium levels. Research shows that healthy levels of vitamin D and calcium can speed fat loss by up to 70 per cent. 2


If you want to boost the effectiveness of your workout, go outside and exercise under the sun. Your workouts need to be short—20 minutes at most—so there’s no need to apply sunscreen. You’ll help your body build lean muscle and burn fat faster.


Put away the treadmill, give your stationary bike a break and go for a walk, bike ride, or swim under the sun. I guarantee you’ll enjoy the workout more, and you’ll get closer to your goals, too

Snacking:
After beginning the fat loss challenge, many of you may have altered some eating habits to optimize your fat loss goals. There are many of you accustomed to eating high carb-low protein diets. So with the change you may notice your stomach is growling but lunch is hours away.


You’re eyeing the cookies in the snack machine at the office or the rice cakes on the kitchen counter. But your best bet is to avoid snacking altogether — snacking is a big problem. But there are many ways to prevent grabbing the nearest ding-dong or bag of chips throughout the day while at the office.


Drink Water – 80% of the time you think you are hungry, your body is really thirsty. Fill up a glass or water bottle and just sip away.


Take a Walk – take a 5-minute break or a leisure walk around the block with an office mate or your spouse.


Exercise – you don’t have to do a 20-minute workout, but you can do a 2-minute workout or something as simple as jumping jacks. This is one of the easiest ways to side hunger pains.


Have a mint or piece of gum.


If all else fails and a snack is needed, then reach for a healthy snack – one that will give you the nutrients your body needs, such as nuts. All nuts except cashews have a glycemic index of zero and even cashews have a very low index of 22. They’re pure protein and the right kind of fat, which makes you feel full right away. A handful of walnuts can wipe out a hunger pang – or a craving for sweets – in a matter of minutes.


I am starting a series of weight loss/fat reduction/beauty enhancement series. I invite you to participate and write in your comments when you see the results.These hints and snippets are all part of Al Sears, Dr Susa Lark, Dax Moy, Dr Mercola and many other international fitness experts. I’ve got their workouts, their programs, diets and charts together to aid you in your journey to a fitter & healthier you on your finger tips.


Today’s tips are on fat loss, therefore, protein naturally gives your body the freedom to burn off its fat stores. Remember, to stay away from high-carb snacks such as tortilla chips, cookies, doughnuts and rice cakes. They not only spike your blood sugar insulin and cause you to store fat, but they don’t satiate you and even after eating these snacks, you tend to feel hungry in no time.