How to Look Slimmer, Instantly

With the same body weight, the better your posture, the slimmer you are perceived by others.

Here's how: Standing in front of a mirror, lift up your shoulders, rotate them back and press them down. Keep your shoulders as far back and down as you can for the count of 16. Relax your arms. Make your neck long and straight, do not tilt your head. Flatten the lower part of your back and contract your abdominal muscles to flatten your stomach. Take a minute or two to 'memorize' how your body feels while in this position. Remember this feeling every time you want to look slimmer.

What are power foods?

'Power foods' is a term introduced by Sonoma Diet's author Connie Guttersen. Sonoma diet basics are close to those of the Mediterranean diet. The list of power foods include:



Almonds

Bell peppers

Blueberries

Broccoli

Grapes (also wine)

Olive oil

Spinach

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Whole grains



Functional foods are a different story. The term Functional Foods is used to describe foods capable to produce certain health benefits. So called probiotics is a good example. Probiotics are friendly bacteria, for example, those making yogurts like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. They help to improve immune system, digestion, etc. Recently, research showed that yogurt help losing weight.



Functional foods with proved health benefits are also soy, Psyllium, whole oat products, fatty fish, garlic, black and green tea, dark green vegetables, and many others.

Watching what - calories, fats, or carbs?

With seemingly endless amount of diets in the world, it all boils down to only three principal types of them: limiting calories, fats, or carbohydrates. Which one is best for you?



Generally, limiting calories is a very beneficial approach, health benefits-wise. It also requires self-discipline, so the best results are achieved with programs offering planning, support, and psychological services, online or offline.



Limiting fats works well for physically very active people, not obese, and spending high amounts energy including calories from food carbohydrates.



For obese people and those with insulin resistance, the best way of eating is limiting their carbohydrate total intake and/or the kind of carbs in their foods (complex versus simple, fast absorbing versus slowly absorbing).

The last 10 pounds

When we talk about the most stubborn "last 10 pounds" we usually mean the weight loss plateau we hit when dieting. Sometimes the best diet is just a diet that's different from the one on which we were losing weight before the stalling. For example, a week out of a low carb and into a low fat vegetarian diet can do the trick.



However, there can be reasons that don't depend on diet's specifics and apply to any diet. They usually are:



Nutrient deficiency

Using wrong supplements

Subconscious cheating

Wrong exercise routines

Nutrition and Red Wine

A recent dieting trend turned to the benefits of red wine. The Mediterranean group of traditional diets have red wine on their staple food list, along with olive oil and fish. Research showed that having a glass of red wine daily can prevent heart disease.