Waist size is more important than weight, according to Dr. Michael F. Roizen, and Dr.Mehmet C. Oz (think Oprah!), authors of YOU: The Owner’s Manual.
Because of its proximity to vital organs, belly fat is the most dangerous fat you can carry, and it is one of the strongest predictors of health risks (heart disease, diabetes, and more bad stuff) associated with obesity.
According to Roizen and Oz, we should be measuring our waists and not worrying so much about stepping on the scale. Ideal waist size for women is 32½ inches or less and 35 inches or less for men.
They suggest losing weight by eating 3 healthy meals a day and have snacks in between in order to stay feeling satisfied and not hungry. According to the doctors, if you feel like you are starving, this makes your body want to start storing fat.
Also, eat the same thing (yes, it's what the two docs say!) everyday for breakfast and lunch. Apparently people who keep their food choices limited tend to lose the most weight.
Make sure your breakfast contains fiber; Fiber eaten in the morning will help reduce afternoon hungry cravings.
Walk every day for 30 minutes.
Eat a handful of walnuts (healthy fat) 20 minutes before sitting down to a meal--this will help curb your appetite and lessen your chance of over-eating!
And yet more reason to get a good night's sleep---- fatigue will make you crave sugary foods because the sugar will release chemicals in your brain that sleepiness and fatigue will leave you short on.
Don’t buy anything with more than 4 grams of saturated fat or 4 grams of any sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup) per serving. Check labels on everything you buy at the market. Saturated fat is an aging fat that’s bad for your whole body, and simple sugars make you crave high-calorie foods.
OK Ladies....get out those tape measures and put away the scales!!