Weight Loss Tips

Using cabbage soup diet to reduce weight is not a recent remedy; since time immemorial; people have been using bowls filled with cabbage diet soup as a dieting tool to reduce weight. It had been used in the past and it is still in use today as well.

The concept of using cabbage soup for dieting is the same today as it was many years back; however, it has been modified in order to make the most out of this dieting concept. Today, you can have various cabbage soup dieting pills that are readily available in the market; all using the same concept.

If you are looking for an effective weight loss diet then most of the doctors would recommend you the use of cabbage soup diet since it is very effective but a bit restrictive as well. Most of the doctors today recommend cabbage soup for dieting, especially to those who have had a recent heart surgery or if someone wants to reduce weight without wasting months on ineffective exercises and diets.

What’s the reason of using Cabbage soup for dieting or how it works is a common question? Well, it is quite simple; the idea behind Cabbage soup for dieting is that since it is made up of lots of water and vegetables, it fills up your stomach and it helps in feeling you less hungry and the most important is that it helps in flushing the fat stored in your body; hence result in reducing weight.

Sample Days

Let’s discuss a sample five day cabbage soup diet plan for all those who want to reduce weight using the cabbage soup diet plan:

Day 1: take unlimited soup supplemented by various vegetables that you can get. Make sure that you don’t go for vegetables that are rich in starch like corn or peas etc.

Day 2: your second day should again include soup that can be supplemented by all types of fruits you like with the exception of mangoes and bananas.

Day 3: on the third day, you can continue your day 2 plan with the inclusion of some vegetables as well.

Day 4: for all banana lovers, you can have bananas and skimmed milk on the fourth day. Just make sure that you don’t have these bananas or mangoes on the second day of your cabbage soup diet plan.

Day 5: you would definitely like this day as you can have, in less proportion, some grilled meat along with some rice etc.

You must remember that if you are strictly following cabbage soup diet then you make sure that you have to say good bye to pop, tea and coffee. Exercise is another important and integral part of cabbage soup diet plan. So make sure that you spare a consistent amount of time for regular exercises daily. You are not required to spend hours and hours in gym; rather you are just required to spare 15-30 minutes for jogging or a walk, even around your home.

Maintenance Phase

When you go for a cabbage diet plan in order to reduce weight, you must keep in mind that cabbage soup diet is not recommended for longer periods of time. Most of the experts recommend that people should not be on this diet for a longer period of time since this diet can result in clearing your body from essential nutrients. You can try this diet for a week or two and it can bring satisfactory results as well.

One thing that is also important and worth mentioning here is that after seven days, even if you have decided not to go with the cabbage soup diet, make sure that you try to include soup in your daily meals.

Did you know that stretching exercises can make you a lot more flexible? Stretching out your muscles on a regular basis gives you the ability to move your joints and muscles through their full range of motion. As your muscles become more flexible, you may find it easier to reach for things or even bending over to tie your shoes. You may even experience an improved sense of balance and coordination.

A lot of people use stretching exercise before working out or walking and combining the two is a perfect way to practice flexibility fitness. Stretching your muscles is ideal before doing strength training and any other type of exercise. Just as with other kinds of physical activity, it’s best to start slowly and increase your efforts gradually.

Stretching before and after weight training, aerobic exercise or even walking can help you feel better before and after your workout. All it takes is 5 to 10 minutes before and after each workout or walk to stretch your muscles properly. Be sure to stretch the muscles you will be using when you exercise to get the maximum benefits.

Tips For Stretching

* Warm up your muscles slightly before stretching them. You may choose to walk slowly or perform some minor exercises for around 5 to 10 minutes, and then start your stretching.
* Feeling a stretch in the muscle is normal but you should never feel any pain.
* Exhale while doing the stretch and inhale while you are holding the stretch.
* Closing your eyes while stretching may help you to relax.
* You normally get a good feeling after a slow and correct stretch.
* Stretch slowly and remember not to push or bounce your stretch.

Here are a few of the best stretching exercises:

Hamstring Stretch

1. Sit on the floor and extend your right leg out straight while pointing your toe up. If your knee feels awkward, insert a small towel or rolled up washcloth under your knee to keep it slightly bent.
2. Bend your left leg and put your left foot next to the inside of your right thigh.
3. Lean forward from your hips, and reach for your right ankle without touching your forehead to your knee.
4. Hold each one of these stretches from 15 to 30 seconds and repeat 2 to 4 times for each leg.

Latissimus Stretch

1. With your back straight stand with your feet shoulder-width apart or you can also do this stretch seated
2. Hold one hand with the other with your arms above your head.
3. While leaning straight over toward your right side pull upwards. You can feel the stretch down your left side.
4. Hold each of these stretches between 15 to 30 seconds, then switch sides and repeat at least 2 to 4 times for each side.

Quadriceps Stretch

1. Lie on your side and support your head with your hand.
2. Bend your upper leg back and grab hold of your ankle with your other hand.
3. Pull your foot toward your buttocks and slowly stretch your leg back. You will feel this stretch in the front part of your thigh. If you feel stress on your knees, do not do this stretch.
4. Hold each of these stretches for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat it 2 to 4 times for each leg.

Triceps Stretch

1. Stand with your back straight and your feet about shoulder-width apart or you can also do this stretch sitting down.
2. While bending your arm, bring your left elbow straight up.
3. Take hold of your left elbow with your right hand, and gently pull your left elbow toward your head with just light pressure. You will feel this stretch along the back side of your arm.
4. Hold each stretch 15 to 30 seconds, then switch elbows and repeat this 2 to 4 times for each arm.

Calf Stretch

1. Place your hands on a wall for balance or you can also do this with your hands on the back of a chair or even a counter top.
2. With your left leg step back keeping your leg straight, and lightly press your left heel into the floor.
3. Now move your hips forward and slightly bend your right leg. You will feel this stretch in your left calf.
4. Hold each stretch 15 to 30 seconds then repeat this for 2 to 4 times for each leg.

It’s really important to just breathe normally when you stretch and never hold your breath. If you like to time your breathing with your exercise, breathe out as you stretch, breathe normally in and out 2 or 3 times as you hold the stretch, and then relax.

Try to stretch all your major muscle groups including the muscles of your arms, back, hips, front and back of your thighs, and calves. A critical thing to remember when starting your stretching exercises is begin slowly and increase your stretching gradually as you become more flexible and more fit.