If you've ever tuned in to "The Biggest Loser," you've probably been inspired by the incredible weight loss results the participants have achieved. You might not be a contestant on this popular show, but you can still benefit from following the advice of the trainers, nutritionists and other professionals that helped these participants find weight loss success.
Grocery Shopping
Before you hit the supermarket, create a shopping list of healthy, filling foods and don't buy anything not on your list. Alison Sweeney, host of the "The Biggest Loser," also recommends avoiding the middle aisles of the supermarket when shopping, where you'll mostly find processed foods; instead, stick to the outer aisles, since that's where stores stock fresh, healthy foods.
Cooking
Alison suggests adding calorie-free flavor to your usual meals by cooking with herbs and spices; she recommends stirring cinnamon into oatmeal and perking up boring chicken with rosemary and basil. Try devoting a little bit of time every weekend to cooking large batches of healthy foods; divide them into individual servings and freeze or refrigerate them so that you always have nutritious meals at hand. If you're tempted to nibble while cooking dinner, try chewing a piece of gum to keep your mouth busy until it's time to eat.
Eating
The Biggest Loser League recommends filling your diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and broth-based soups, since these foods are high in water and help you feel full. To avoid taking in too many calories when eating out, be sure to divide your food into single-serving portions before you start eating, and take the extras home to be enjoyed for other meals. A party is another place where you're likely to overeat, so make sure to have a healthy snack at home right before heading out to a party so that you won't be tempted to fill up on high-calorie appetizers. For a healthy and filling appetizer at an Asian restaurant or home, try edamame, which is steamed soybeans.
Fitness
If you have trouble sticking to an exercise routine, The Biggest Loser League suggests signing up for a 5k race, mini-marathon or other fitness-related event so that you have a specific goal to work toward. Another great way to stay motivated is to commit to working out with a friend, even if that just means meeting for a daily walk. To build up your endurance and burn more calories, try adding a few more minutes to your usual cardio workout and continue to add small increments of extra time gradually. If you plan on doing weightlifting and cardio on the same day, make sure to lift weights first; doing so depletes your glycogen stores so that you burn more calories during your cardio workout.
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