IT'S A NEW YEAR! | Marla Deen

So this is the time when everyone wants to get rid of those pesky Holiday pounds, make new resolutions to exercise, eat right, get in shape, etc, etc, etc – so ALL THOSE people show up at the gym! How annoying! It’s so crowded you can’t get around or get on any machine without waiting forever. That is, unless you show up extra early, like I was forced to do today. I’ve been around long enough to know the pattern. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE seeing people want to get healthy, get strong and fit; it’s my job! It’s just that I hate seeing all these folks bound in with an all or nothing attitude and disappear by March. Mark my words, too, they will surely disappear. Then the numbers will go back to normal and we can get to the gym at our normal times, rather than going in extra early on these cold, dark mornings, or waiting until inconvenient mid afternoon “off” hours.

If you are a new resolution person, PLEASE come to the gym, but PLEASE just KEEP COMING! Make this your year to make it a lifestyle, not just a “kick”! Make it a HABIT! Then, you too, can complain next January about all the “newbies!”

In honor of 2012, and my need to get rid of the extra “gut” I seem to always find around the Holidays, I’ve compiled a list of 11 foods that should be a part of every FLAT STOMACH DIET. Including these 12 foods in your diets will help you burn stomach fat and making sure you get the flat stomach you have always wanted.
We know the foods we SHOULD NOT eat, (I’ve been eating them for days now!) so I want to focus on the foods we SHOULD EAT for a healthy diet. While I am swearing off processed junky foods in favor of simple, whole foods, here are some things we should all be eating:

#1 — EGGS are a great source of protein. Starting your day with a protein (as opposed to just a bagel) will help you feel fuller longer. When you feel fuller longer you won’t be tempted to eat junk.

#2 — GREEN TEA The benefits of green tea are endless. Green tea is not only FULL of antioxidants that can help prevent you from getting sick, but research has shown that green tea can also speed up your metabolism — helping you burn more fat. It’s also a really good afternoon treat on these cold days.

#3 — OATMEAL If you are really hungry and in need of a good meal — make yourself a bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal is FULL of fiber which will help you feel full and stay feeling full for a long period of time. Since they digest slowly the oats will help keep you energized for a longer period of time, as opposed to those super fast digesting foods. This is my “go to” breakfast on these chilly mornings.

#4 — WILD SALMON is full of Omega-3 fatty acids which aid in decreasing the insulin sensitivity of your cells. This de-sensitizing of your cells helps to burn more fat and build more muscle.

#5 — WATER – Increase your daily intake of water. Your body needs at least 8 cups of water each day in order to prevent dehydration and flush out all the toxins. Drinking water will also help you feel full – helping you avoid those cravings for something sweet.

#6 — BLUEBERRIES – Even though they are little blueberries are EXTREMELY healthy and will help you get a flat stomach. Each little berry is full of antioxidants and fiber. A diet high in fiber can help prevent fat to be absorb into your cells as the fat gets pulled out with the fiber through your digestive tract. Less fat =flat stomach! These are super in your oatmeal.

#7 — LEAN MEATS – Your body needs protein in order to make your workouts effective. Eating meats such as chicken or turkey that don’t have a lot of fat will give your body the protein it needs to build more muscle and burn more fat.

#8 — GREEN VEGGIES – Loading up your plate with lots of green veggies will help give you results on the scale. Vegetables — especially green ones — are full of fiber. The fiber in these veggies will help you feel fuller longer as well as helping your metabolism burn. Grab a bag of broccoli.

#9 — OLIVE OIL is a healthy fat that will help you feel fuller for longer. Olive oil is a great dressing for your salad that will not only add some flavor but help decrease inflammation.

#10 — CINNAMON – Recent research has found that adding cinnamon to your oatmeal or toast can help decrease your cravings for something sweet or help you get rid of that afternoon energy slide. Besides that cinnamon has also been found to lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

#11 — ALMONDS are a great source of healthy fat. Find an almond butter to spread on your toast and you’ll find that your cravings for other sweet foods will decrease, as almond butter helps to decrease your rise in blood sugar, helping you lose more stomach fat. Just be careful of the amount of almonds you snack on. They are high in calories so hold it to about 12 raw almonds.

#12 – CHOCOLATE MILK is a great post-workout drink. It is full of protein and also helps satisfy a sweet craving.

Try adding these foods to your diet and replace the other junk that might be creeping into your daily diet. This is a great time to clean out your fridge, pantry and cabinets and start fresh with good whole foods. That’s a chore you can do while waiting for the crowd at the gym to leave!

Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite healthy food is — Also, did you make a resolution to get fit this year?

I am reading a great book that has steered me to my 2012 resolution. Be on the lookout for that post!

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