How to get rid of excess weight?

Everyone wants to look good. By getting rid of excess weight, you improve not only your appearance but also your health.

Excess weight increases the chances of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, as well as diseases of the joints and spine. Let's find out how you can become more elegant and healthier.

Nutrition

This is probably the most important element of the equation. The solution seems obvious – reduce the amount of food consumed. But if you do it incorrectly, the basal metabolism will slow down in response, and with it, your mood and energy for physical activity. The balance will again favor the gain of adipose tissue, and the stress of undernourishment and the lack of necessary nutrients can lead to serious health disorders.

When adjusting the amount of food consumed, you need to follow these rules:

  • The change in food consumption should not be temporary. You should not go on a temporary diet, but change your eating habits permanently.
  • You do not need to drastically reduce your calorie intake. You need to act gradually, without swinging the "scale" too quickly.
  • You do not need to excessively reduce calories. To lose weight, it is enough to decrease the amount of calories by no more than 15-20% of the body's needs. By the way, if you increase your physical activity – the amount of food should also be increased.
  • You must refuse or drastically reduce the consumption of sugar and other sweets, including sugary drinks and packaged juices. Sugar causes the release of insulin, which forces the energy obtained from food to be pumped into fat cells. In addition, sugar consumption causes a disturbance in the natural regulation of appetite, forcing us to eat more than necessary for current needs.
  • The diet must be complete. For the healthy functioning of the body, all macro and micronutrients are necessary. An incomplete diet leads to the disruption of body functions, and, consequently, to a decrease in both basal metabolism and physical activity.

A complete diet should consist of the following components

Carbohydrates
The main source of energy for every cell in our body. Carbohydrates are "fast" and "slow". The "faster" the carbohydrate, the greater the amount of insulin released into the blood and the greater the part of the energy that will be stored as fat. Fast carbohydrates include sugar, fructose, sports nutrition (gainers), maltodextrin, light baked goods. Preference should be given to slow carbohydrates, whose energy is primarily used for the current needs of the body. Cereals, vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grain products are rich in such carbohydrates.
Fats
Necessary for human life. Fats ensure the normal functioning of cell membranes. They are directly involved in maintaining a healthy hormonal balance. Moderate fat consumption is necessary. It is much better to eat a product with normal fat content than a skimmed product, to which a lot of sugar is added to give it a pleasant taste. But there is also "bad fat" – these are, first and foremost, trans fats, such as margarine.
Proteins
Needed for muscle tissue repair and the building of new muscles. Preference should be given to easily digestible proteins: eggs, white meat, fermented dairy products.
Fiber
Contained in plant-based products. Necessary for normal digestion. Slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and thus reduces the glycemic index of products.
Vitamins and Minerals
Ensure the functioning of the body at the cellular level. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins. In winter, sauerkraut and fermented dairy products can be a source of vitamins. Additionally, fermented dairy products are rich in micronutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus. Beneficial bacteria contained in fermented dairy products improve digestion and metabolism, enhance hormonal balance and mood.
Water
It is necessary to consume about 3 liters of water per day, including the water contained in food.

Physical Activity

It seems that everything is very simple: the more you move – the more calories you burn. But there are nuances here too. Many people cannot force themselves to exercise.

And the issue is not just, or not so much, laziness. As is known, human behavior is largely controlled by hormones. Stress and poor nutrition, as well as some diseases, lead to hormonal imbalances. In this case, the body almost entirely converts the energy obtained from food into fat, and no energy is left for physical activity. First of all, you need to try to get rid of stress, ensure sufficient sleep. To rule out hormonal diseases, you need to consult a doctor. The consumption of sweet products should be reduced or excluded, as they reduce the energy reserve, turning it into fat.

The increase in physical load should be gradual. You can start with a walk at a moderate pace, gradually increasing the volume and intensity of workouts.

The body naturally reacts to increased physical activity with an increase in appetite. This is normal, you must remember that the caloric deficit should not exceed 15-20%. In addition to caloric expenditure, sport leads to an increase in muscle mass. This is very important, as it increases the level of basal metabolism. You must not forget to consume a sufficient amount of protein so as not to hinder the growth of muscle tissue.

Basal Metabolism

Even lying on the couch, our body consumes energy. For an average person, more than 2/3 of energy expenditure is due to basal metabolism.

The level of basal metabolism is individual for each person. It depends on genetics, hormonal balance, the percentage of muscle mass, and the person's physical activity.

The secret to easy weight loss lies precisely in the basal metabolic rate. The thing is that the level of basal metabolism can be influenced. First of all, by increasing **muscle mass**. Muscles burn energy even at rest, especially during the recovery period between workouts.

Special bacteria can also elevate the level of basal metabolism. The bacterium **Lactobacillus gasseri** positively affects metabolism, adjusting the body to increase energy consumption at rest. Furthermore, lacto and bifidobacteria positively affect digestive processes, contributing to the correct absorption of nutrients.

Eat and Lose Weight
VIVO FIT-Yogurt Starter Culture

FIT-Yogurt starter culture contains the special bacterium **Lactobacillus gasseri**, which affects metabolism and increases the level of basal metabolism. With the help of the starter culture and milk, you can easily prepare homemade yogurt that contains live bacteria. Moreover, homemade yogurt is an excellent source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus.

Preparing homemade yogurt is easy

Preparing homemade yogurt is simpler than it seems. You will need milk, starter culture, a pot, and a large towel.

And if you have a yogurt maker or a multi-cooker – preparing yogurt will be even easier.

Detailed preparation instructions

VIVO Kefir Starter Culture

Drinking **kefir** before bed for weight loss is indeed a good idea. It is a light, low-calorie product that contains many valuable nutrients, without which a complete diet is impossible. It is very important to provide the body with all the necessary substances, especially during a diet when the amount of food is limited. Homemade kefir is a truly live product that positively affects digestion and metabolism.

Preparing homemade kefir is easy

Preparing homemade kefir is very easy – after all, room temperature is sufficient for its fermentation. Just add the starter culture directly to the milk package and let it ferment at room temperature for 20-24 hours.

Detailed preparation instructions

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