9 Health Mistakes Women Don’t Realise They’re Making

Attention ladies; even if you think you’re a fitness and diet guru, we guarantee you’ll be making some of these health mistakes without even realising it.

Cut out these bad habits and you’ll be healthier before you know it.

Unhealthy friends?

Having unhealthy friends

Who you’re friends with can have a big influence on your health without you even realising.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared obesity to a virus. When your friends gain weight, you’re more likely to gain weight yourself.

That doesn’t mean you need to ditch your friends as soon as they put on a couple of pounds – study author Dr Nicholas Christakis suggests instead taking cues from your healthier friends.

Only relying on cardio

“I can’t work out with weights because I don’t want to bulk up!” you proclaim as you follow the familiar route to the treadmill for the thousandth time. But is there any truth behind this popular excuse?

In short, no.

Far from bulking you up, building muscle will help you to shed the pounds. Experts estimate that for every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn an extra seven -13 calories per day.

Any fears you have of looking like She Hulk can be put to bed. Because of lower levels of testosterone, women don’t bulk up anywhere near as quickly as men.

Overusing social media

We all enjoy a sneaky Facebook stalk every once in a while, but do it too often and you could become depressed, according to researchers in Germany.

They found that overuse of Facebook can pose a serious risk to our mental wellbeing.

Checking out other people’s holiday photos was the major culprit, with one in three study participants reporting that this made them feel depressed or lonely.

Twitter is no better, with a University of Vermont study finding that Twitter users gradually become more stressed and unhappy the more they use the site.

Relying on diet products

When your sweet tooth is crying out for sugar, it can be tempting to turn to sugar-free diet options. Sadly these substitute snacks aren’t as guilt-free as you’ve been led to believe.

In place of sugar, manufacturers will often use nasty artificial alternatives to provide that sweet taste.

Aspartame, commonly found in diet drinks, was found to increase your risk of obesity by 41 per cent in a University of Texas Health Science Centre study.

Psychologists in a separate study at Cornell University observed that phrases like ‘sugar-free’ can subconsciously trigger overeating. In some cases, this meant people ate twice as many calories as they would have done if they opted for the full-sugar version.Don't become fixated on your abs (REX)

Focusing on stomach toning

All too often we become fixated on trying to develop a rock hard stomach by performing endless crunches. If this sounds like you, you’re wasting your time.

Want to know just how useless crunches are? A Men’s Health study found that you’d have to do a staggering 22,000 of them to lose just a pound of fat off your stomach.

If you want to lose weight, focus on high intensity interval training instead.

HIIT increases your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours after you exercise, and boosts fat oxidation.

Wearing high heels too often

Who can resist a pair of killer hills for accentuated legs and an instant confidence boost?

Wear them too frequently however, and your feet won’t be thanking you.

Wearing four-inch heels increases the pressure on your feet by around 30 per cent, leading to damaged tendons, reduced circulation and bone and nerve deterioration.Swap heels for flats occasionally and your feet will thank you (AP)

Not getting enough calcium

A recent survey conducted by Creighton University Medical Centre showed that 85% of women don’t get enough calcium per day, which leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It’s recommended that women between the ages 19 to 50 need a daily calcium intake of 1,000mg.

Topping up on calcium is easy with dairy products like milk and natural yoghurt. If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you’ll also find high levels of calcium in fish such as salmon and sardines and even leafy veg.

Using electronics before bed

That one last game of Candy Crush you squeeze in before you hit the hay could be ruining your sleep pattern, if researchers in Sweden are to be believed.

They observed that people who use mobile phones or tablets directly before going to sleep found it harder to doze off, causing lasting health issues.

As well as displaying signs of insomnia, these pre-sleep tech-addicts suffered from headaches throughout the day.

Eating what your date eats

Next time you’re on a hot date, psychologists suggest you need to spend more time checking what’s on your plate than staring into your partner’s eyes.

University of Birmingham researchers have discovered a link between new relationships and weight gain, particularly in women.

According to their findings, when dining with a new partner you subconsciously mirror their portion sizes, which can lead to weight gain if they eat more than you’re used to.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-health-mistakes-women-don-t-realise-making-090000295.html

9 Winter Health Myths Busted

Winter does have its downsides. It’s cold, dark and the days just seem to disappear – where did the summer go? That being said, this super-cold season isn’t as bad as people believe.

If we catch a cold or put on a few pounds, we’re quick to blame winter. But in many instances, the season is wrongly accused. From oldwives tales to common misconceptions, we’re separating winter fact from fiction. 

   

Myth 1: You can’t exercise in winter

This would be a great excuse to kick off the running shoes and sit in front of the TV, but the truth is, exercising in winter is perfectly fine.  Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise claims that it’s actually better for you than running in warmer climates. The cold forces us to pick up the pace, encouraging a faster, harder workout. It burns calories and increases endorphin levels, resulting in a healthier, happier you.

Myth 2: The cold air makes you sick

A classic line from mum – ‘wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold.’ And whilst the drop in temperature can exacerbate feelings of sickness, there’s no definitive proof that it causes a cold directly.  Only by coming into contact with the germs themselves can you become sick. Flu expert Doctor Thomas Tallman of Cleveland Clinic says we’re “more likely to catch a cold indoors, where it's warm and crowded than outdoors in the chilly air. 

Myth 3: Less sunlight causes depression

The combination of bad weather and shorter days can make us feel down in the dumps. However, there’s nothing to suggest that the lack of sunshine during winter causes widespread depression. Some do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during this time – a condition that triggers depression-like symptoms such as lethargy, tiredness and withdrawal from family and friends. But this only tends to affect a small percentage, 3-6% of people in the UK. Family and financial stresses are more likely to cause winter blues than a shortage of sunlight.

Myth 4: You can drink less in winter

Whilst you might not feel the need to drink as much water during winter, it’s important to always stay hydrated, whatever the season. During the summer months, the hot and humid climates make us sweat, and naturally we reach for an ice-cold drink. But as you’ll agree, this is less tempting when the temperatures hit freezing outside. Hydration effects everything from energy to concentration, so be sure to top-up the hot teas and water during winter.

Myth 5: Sun cream in winter? Don’t be silly

Despite the lack of sunshine, you still need to apply some level of protection to your skin during the colder months, especially if you’re jetting off for some winter sun. Even skiing and snowboarding trips come with risks. The UV rays reflect off the snow, and this can cause skin damage.

The sudden exposure to sunlight after being wrapped up indoors can have a huge impact on your skin, so it’s better to be on the safe side.  By using an SPF all year round, you reduce the risk of skin cancer and keep your skin looking smooth and healthy.

Myth 6: Winter = weight gain

As much as we’d like to blame the change in season for weight gain, research proves that we’ve no reason to eat more during winter. Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff says “We do know that in hibernating animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people.” The sudden desire for comfort food and cosy nights in comes from our wish to avoid the winter – the cold, the stress, the dark nights – not because we have a biological need to increase our calorie intake.

Myth 7: Winter makes the allergies disappear

If your winter cold won’t budge, it could be allergies. There’s a common misconception that summer is allergy season. However, winter brings its’ own irritants. Being stuck indoors; in warm, temperate climates can flair up itchy eyes, tickly throats and constant sneezes. The best way to distinguish between the two is the length of your symptoms – common colds only tend to last a few days, a week at the maximum. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, it’s likely to be allergies.

Myth 8: Winter makes your hair fall out

The stress of winter might cause your hair to fall out, but the season itself isn’t the culprit. Research even suggests that summer could potentially be the worst season for hair loss.  A 6-year study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich found that the ladies tested lost the least amount of hair during winter. The cold can make hair dry and brittle, and reconditioning treatments can help with this.

Myth 9: Alcohol makes you warm

Winter is a great time for socialising, but remember: alcohol doesn’t increase your body’s temperature. The warm feeling you experience when enjoying a glass of wine or beer is the blood dilating and rushing to your cheeks, making them nice and rosy.  This is only temperamental and can be dangerous, as your body isn’t actually as warm as you think it is. You may misjudge the icy-cold temperatures because of the instant feeling alcohol provides – so be careful.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-winter-health-myths-busted-090000505.html

Keep weight off

If you've achieved your target weight, well done! But don't undo all the good work by reverting to old habits.

Adults are advised to do 150 minutes of physical activity every week. Read more about activity guidelines for adults and older adults 

The effects of quick-fix diets often don't last, as many people fall back into old eating and activity habits after the weight is lost. If you find your weight is going back up again, it's time to take action.

How to keep weight off

The key to reaching your ideal weight and keeping the weight off is to make long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle that you can stick to for life.
The following tips are likely to help keep weight off:

• Stick to lower-calorie eating. A lower-fat, higher-protein diet has been shown to help maintain weight loss for some people. This could be because protein-rich meals make you feel fuller more quickly, making you less likely to snack between meals.
• Plan ahead. Maintain your healthier eating habits regardless of changes in your routine, such as eating out, weekends or holidays. By planning ahead, you're less likely to slip up.
• Eat breakfast. Research shows that breakfast can help people control their weight. Having breakfast can help you avoid getting too hungry and snacking later on.
• Stay active. Build up your physical activity levels – if you've already been walking regularly, think about walking for longer, or start running.
• Watch your weight. Weigh yourself regularly so you can keep a close eye on any changes to your weight.
• Get support. If you have talked to a health professional about your weight in the past, make sure you go back regularly to get support from them.
• Keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of life, so if you feel yourself slipping back into old ways, mix things up a bit. Buy a new healthy cookbook, sign up for a healthy cooking course or try a new activity.
• Set yourself goals. These can help motivate you into keeping up your healthy diet and exercise regime. For example, is there a special occasion coming up that you want to feel your best for?

What should I eat now?

As a guide, the average man needs about 2,500 calories and the average woman needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight. If you've been eating a lower calorie diet and you've now reached a healthy weight, you may want to increase your calorie intake. But do it by small amounts to avoid putting on weight again and remember to keep active.

More weight to lose?

"When we look at people who lose weight successfully, the lessons are clear," says Dr Andrew Brewster, a GP with a special interest in obesity and weight management. "A combination of diet changes and changes to their level of physical activity is the best method. The key is making small changes that you can keep for life, rather than drastic changes that you only stick to for a few weeks.
"You don't need to achieve a healthy weight overnight. Losing even a few kilos can make a huge difference to the health of someone who is overweight."
You can check the weight range that is healthy for you by using our Healthy weight calculator. Set a realistic target. Give yourself enough time to work towards your goal – the safe rate of weight loss is between 1lb and 2lb (0.5kg and 1kg) a week.
Download the new NHS 12-week weight loss guide.

Healthy food swaps

To start, you might decide to swap just one high-calorie snack a day with something healthier. For example, you could have a smoothie or a piece of fruit instead of a morning pastry. Or you could choose a drink that's lower in fat, sugar or alcohol and therefore contains fewer calories. For example, you could swap a sugary, fizzy drink for sparkling water with a slice of lemon.
You can learn more about small, healthy changes to your diet by reading Healthy food swaps. On the whole, eating less while maintaining a balanced diet and being more active will keep the weight off.
You can also find lots of information on eating a healthy, balanced diet in Food and diet.

Exercise

When it comes to physical activity, find ways to fit more movement into your day. It's recommended that adults between 19 and 64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity – such as fast walking or cycling – every week. If you are new to activity you should try to build up to this amount gradually. For more information, see Physical activity guidelines for adults.
Being physically active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. People who do regular activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and stroke.
For many, brisk walking is a great way to fit activity into daily life. Learn more in The 10,000 steps challenge.
There's more information and advice on getting active in Fitness.

Stick to the changes

Once you've identified the lifestyle changes you want to make, give yourself time to make them part of your life.
At some point, the weight loss that results from these changes will stop and your weight will stabilise. But it's important to remember that if you want to maintain your new, healthier weight, you need to stick to the changes.
"This is where many people slip up," says Dr Brewster. "They feel as though the changes they've made 'aren't working any more', and so they go back to old habits. In fact, the changes are working, as they are keeping you at your new weight. If you let go of them, you'll put weight back on.
"Really get those changes set into your lifestyle. Once you've done that and your weight has stayed the same for a while, if you're still not a healthy weight you can think about another set of small changes.
"That's the step-by-step method that will give you the best chance of achieving a healthy weight long term."

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/keep-weight-off.aspx

Water and drinks

Your body needs water or other fluids to work properly and to avoid dehydration.

This article explains how much we need to drink, how to spot the signs of dehydration and how to choose healthier non-alcoholic drinks. For advice on alcohol, see our Alcohol section.

Water makes up about two-thirds of the weight of a healthy body.

Most of the chemical reactions that happen in our cells need water in order to take place. We also need water so that our blood can carry nutrients around the body and get rid of waste.

How much should we drink?

To stay healthy, it's important to replace the fluid we lose when we breathe, sweat or urinate.

We get some fluid from our food but most comes from drinks.

The European Food Safety Authority recommends that women should drink about 1.6 litres of fluid and men should drink about 2.0 litres of fluid per day. That's about eight glasses of 200ml each for a woman, and 10 glasses of 200ml each for a man. 

However, the amount a person needs to drink to avoid getting dehydrated will vary depending on a range of factors, including their size, the temperature and how active they are. So, for example, if you're exercising hard in hot weather you'll need to drink more.

All drinks count, including hot drinks such as tea and coffee, but water, milk and fruit juices are the healthiest. It is best to avoid alcoholic drinks.

Try to avoid sugary, soft and fizzy drinks that can be high in added sugars. These can be high in calories and bad for teeth.

Signs of dehydration

When our bodies don't have enough water, we are said to be dehydrated.

One of the first signs of dehydration is feeling thirsty.

If you think you may not be getting enough fluids, check whether you have any of these other common signs of dehydration:

• dark urine and not passing much urine when you go to the toilet
• headaches
• lack of energy 
• feeling lightheaded 

See Dehydration for more information.

Types of drinks

Try to choose healthier drinks as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Many soft drinks are high in sugar. Food and drinks that are high in sugar are often high in calories, and having too many calories can make you more likely to gain weight.

Some energy drinks are high in both sugar and caffeine.

Checking the nutrition labels on soft drinks, such as fruit juices and fizzy drinks, can help you make healthier choices. For more information, see Food labels.

Drink plenty of water

Water is the healthiest choice for quenching your thirst at any time. It has no calories and contains no sugars that can damage teeth.

If you don't like the taste of plain water, try sparkling water or add a slice of lemon or lime. You could also add some no-added-sugar or reduced-sugar squash or fruit juice for flavour.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/water-drinks.aspx

How To Make Smoothie Making Fun

Those who are conscious about what they eat and drink often recommend drinking smoothies to maintain good health and fitness. But just because you have decided that you will lead a healthy lifestyle does not mean making smoothies has to be an ordeal! You can have an incredible amount of fun making smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to maintain your levels of nutrition and keep a watch on your weight.

Smoothies retain the goodness of fruits and vegetables unlike juices that discard the pulp. This means you can indeed have a wide variety of fruits of vegetables and get their full benefits without wastage. The first reason why smoothies can be good fun is there are no hard and fast rules! You can try blending different categories of fruits and vegetables and make interesting smoothies that will make your taste buds sing. Here are some interesting tips that will help you with your smoothie making efforts a real pleasure.

Chose your liquid wisely

First up, decide upon the liquid you will use. The liquid is the first that that should go into your blender, as the liquid must surround the blade for your smoothie making process to be smooth and easy. The traditional choice for a smoothie has always been milk or fruit juices. Dairy milk or even soy milk can be used while making smoothies. You can also use a variety of fruit juices, but in that case beware of the added sugar content. If you are looking at breaking the mould and want to use some interesting liquids you could try things like almond milk or coconut milk. Fat free yogurt can also be a good choice if you want your smoothie to be creamy.

Go wild with ingredients and toppings

As we mentioned earlier, you can go wild with the choice of the fruits and veggies. The more colourful your choices, the better it is for your nutritional value. The more fruits and veggies you use the lesser liquid you will need to use. Also if you keep your fruits and vegetables frozen, you will not have to use too much of ice. As for the toppings or extras, you have a wide variety of choice as well. For a dessert style smoothie, the choice of a topping is usually ice cream. But if you are watching your weight, you cannot obviously opt for this sinful dessert topping! But that does not mean your smoothie will not taste good.

You can use protein powders, which come in a variety of flavours that can really give your smoothie a wonderful taste. If you are not keen on such powders, you can use a lot of natural flavourings such as honey, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla and nutmeg that will lend a wonderful taste to your smoothie.

Lastly, you will make sure you have a high power, easy to use blender that will liquidate your ingredients easily. Also ensure that you are not overloading your blender too much. Ideally, once you have your ingredients ready, your smoothie should be ready in less than a minute! Once you master these smoothie making tips, you will see that making smoothies is an incredible amount of fun.



http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Make-Smoothie-Making-Fun&id=8443720

5 Christmas Hunger Triggers You Need To Avoid

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and doesn’t our waistline know it? After being good all year, Christmas comes and our healthy eating habits go out the window – hand over the mince pies!

And whilst it’s all too easy to get caught up in the festive magic, spare a little thought for the New Year you; the one sworn to a million New Year’s resolutions, in the hope a total detox will purge you of your dieting sins.

To make January much more bearable; refrain from overindulging this Christmas. Avoid these 5 hunger triggers, and you’re on the right track. 

 

Stress

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness. However, this is soon forgotten when you’re fighting for TVs in Tesco / queuing for the Christmas turkey.

December sends us into panic mode. We need to buy the perfect present now.  To cope with the stress, we find comfort in our old friend, food. High-sugar, high-fat treats provide a warm – albeit temporary – sense of relief that everything’s going to be ok.  

Experts at Harvard Health say our sudden need for food during stressful times is caused by the hormone cortisol, which increases our appetite and makes us reach for the chocolate.

To avoid this trigger, take a step back. Christmas is supposed to be an enjoyable time so try not to worry. Plan, budget and don’t set expectations too high. Instead, dedicate your time to having fun with family and friends.

Tiredness

Christmas can sometimes up the workload, resulting in extra long days at the office and sleepy eyes. Rather than feeling super-festive, you’re desperate for an early night. And to make matters worse, tiredness is a common hunger trigger.

Scientists believe that those who sleep less tend to eat more. A study conducted by Andrew Calvinof the Mayo Clinic found that those who were sleep deprived consumed 550 more calories a day.  We over compensate for our lack of energy by eating sugary foods. Not only that, when we’re tired we tend to ditch cooking healthy meals in favour of takeaway and junk food.

Beat the need to snack by leaving the office on time and getting your 7-8 hours of sleep. It can impact your diet more than you realise. 

Boredom

Eating when bored happens to the best of us, especially at Christmas. You’re surrounded by your favourite foods; cheese, crackers, chocolate biscuits – it would be rude not to.

However, this is where the holiday weight creeps in. December 25^th arrives and there’s nothing to do but put your feet up, watch festive films and eat your way through delicious foods.

If you can resist temptation, this is the perfect hunger trigger to try and beat. Ask family and friends to hold back on buying chocolate, avoid large portion sizes and be aware of ‘mindless’ eating. We tend to forget moderation at Christmas, and can pile on the pounds without even noticing.  

Winter Blues

Feeling down in the dumps is a good enough reason to reach for Christmas snacks. It’s cold, dark and we can’t wait for summer to come back. However, feeling sad during this season is serious business – don’t let sugary foods be your only source of comfort.

If you’re feeling low, call up an old friend. Time with your nearest and dearest is a guaranteed mood booster – as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Alternatively, dig out the gym gear and exercise. This not only helps you maintain a healthy weight over Christmas, but it also releases endorphins (happy hormones) that make you feel great about yourself.

Merriment

During December, our social calendar is packed with office parties and Christmas catch-ups. And not surprisingly, many of us tend to put on a little extra weight. The season dictates that we must have an amazing time – so prepare yourself for mince pies and mulled wine aplenty!

The key with this hunger trigger is to limit yourself. Amidst festivities, it’s hard to say no. As we all know, Christmas can get notoriously boozy. And whilst alcohol carries serious health risks, it’s also secretly calorific. One pint of beer for instance, is 180 calories.

And then there’s the hangover. The only way to wake up from the rotten headache and terrible tiredness is with a big greasy fry up. Christmas parties are the gift that keeps on giving – lots of calories.

Our advice? Take the healthy option once in while. Swap the glass of wine for a pint of water, share the wealth (selection boxes included) and try to make those Christmas treats last longer than Boxing Day.

 https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-christmas-hunger-triggers-need-avoid-090000040.html

10 Ways to Get a Flat Stomach

For all the effort you've put into toning it - and all the cupcakes you've given up to maintain it - your midsection should be as rock-hard as a diamond and just as much fun to show off. So why does it seem like your quest for a sexy stomach always hits a bump (at about belly-button level)?
You're not alone in feeling frustrated: Sixty-two percent of women say the body part they're most self-conscious about is their belly. But don't give up hope. It turns out some of the old food advice you've been following for years may actually be working against you, says nutritionist Alan Aragon. He's waded through the latest data and here are his top 10 tips for shrinking your stomach (and slimming down all over).

1. Eat after exercising

This is the best time to have your largest meal of the day - as long as it's a reasonable size and not a full-on feast. That's because you've just reduced your body's fuel reserves, and food can help aid your recovery. Plus, when your body is in a recovery state, incoming calories and nutrients stand a better chance of being absorbed by muscle tissue instead of being stored as fat. If your goal is to curb uncontrollable hunger after a workout, try lean beef, poultry, or fish - protein-rich foods tend to be very filling. Pair that meat with whole-food, high-fibre carbohydrate sources such as beans. Fibre is another element that can help you feel satiated quickly.

2. Eat however you feel

Contrary to what you've heard, the five-small-meals-a-day mantra doesn't work for everyone. The new thinking? You'll eat healthiest if you eat your way - meaning, if you prefer substantial meals fewer times a day, there's no reason to force yourself to do the opposite, says Aragon. But while the number of meals doesn't matter, their size does. According to Purdue University researchers in the US, the biggest problem with our noshing behavior is that snacks have become meals, and meals have become feasts. In the past 30 years, snack sizes have increased from 360 calories to a whopping 580 - and when you consider that the average woman snacks twice during each workday, you're looking at almost 500 extra calories a day. In just two weeks, these oversize bites - no matter how "healthy" - can contribute to an extra lb of fat. However many times you eat, always make sure that you're keeping an eye on your portions.

3. Eat fat to slim down

It's been scientifically proven: Eating fat helps you become slim, says Aragon. In fact, the Institute of Medicine recommends that fatty foods make up 20 to 35 percent of your total calories. This, of course, isn't an invitation to head over to the nearest fast-food joint. You have to include the right fats - primarily monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) like nuts, avocados, and healthy oils - and stay away from processed foods that contain trans fats, such as baked goods. A report in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a MUFA-rich diet helped people lose small amounts of weight and body fat even when they didn't change their calorie intake. What's more, dieters who took a high-fat approach needed 25 fewer days to lose 10 pounds than those who used a high-carb approach, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University - and that was on a diet of 30 percent fat! So go ahead and indulge (in moderation) in fatty foods that are good for your body, including beef (sirloin steak, yes please), pork, eggs (yolks too), and reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.

4. Step away from the calorie counter

What matters most for shedding belly fat boils down to calories in versus calories out. And counting calories will help you stick to a consistent healthy eating plan - but if worrying about Every. Single. Calorie. is stressing you out, put away the calculator (after all, research shows that stress itself can cause you to stuff your face). Instead, fill your plate with whole, energy-dense foods, such as lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Because they pack a lot of nutrition into comparatively few calories, you're able to eat more and feel full without expanding your waistline.

5. Carbs are not the enemy

Time to overthrow the tyranny of Drs Atkins and Dukan - for carbs are not your enemy. Yes, if you overeat them, you'll gain weight - but so you will with any other food. When it comes to weight loss, your total calorie balance is what matters. If you eat more than you burn, the unused calories turn into fat that gets stored in your belly (and elsewhere), regardless of where those calories come from. That said, if just the sight of carb-heavy dishes melts your willpower, avoiding them is a foolproof way to control your weight. More realistic, perhaps, is making sure most of your carbs are the complex kind found in whole grains and raw fruits and vegetables. Because these tend to fill you up with fibre, it's easier to eat them in controlled portions than it is with highly processed refined carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice.

6. Grab a protein shake

Don't be fooled by labels featuring ripped, bulked-up dudes. Anyone can benefit from the belly-flattening power of protein powder. Opt for whey protein over soy though - according to a study in The Journal of Nutrition, participants whose diets included whey protein for 23 weeks had less body fat and a smaller waist than those who chose soy. In fact, as strange as it sounds, dieters who included whey protein in their eating plan doubled their fat loss compared with those who ate the same number of calories but didn't drink any shakes. To reveal your abs once and for all, try including a whey protein shake once a day or at least a few times a week.

7. Lose inches as well as weight

This usually means you're not strength training or eating enough protein, says Aragon. Pick up some weights, and add 170g lean meat to your post-workout meal or mix two scoops of protein powder into a smoothie or yogurt. Each option yields about 40 grams of protein, the amount you need to lose fat while preserving metabolism-revving muscle.

8. Tuck into dairy

Cutting back on the amount of dairy you eat can signal your body to make more fat cells, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. When you don't have enough calcium in your body, it tries to hold on to what's there. This triggers the release of a compound called calcitriol, which increases the production of fat cells. Eating extra calcium suppresses calcitriol, which breaks down fat and makes your fat cells leaner and your tummy flatter. So enjoy the moo juice, yogurt, or a little cheese. Because dairy does tend to be high in calories, keep your portions small or stick to low-fat varieties.

9. Limit the sweeteners

Nutritionists debate this topic as vigorously as politicos argue about tax hikes. There's no direct link between consuming artificial sweeteners and gaining weight. Still, some research indicates that by providing you with the taste of a high-calorie meal without delivering the calories your brain expects, diet foods made with chemicals, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives can actually leave you craving more food, which causes you to overeat. And another reason to tone down your diet soda habit: scientists at the University of Minnesota found that diet sodas and fake sugars may increase your risk for metabolic syndrome, which results in higher levels of belly fat, blood sugar, and cholesterol. So it's a good idea to limit your intake to three or four servings a day at most (one packet of sugar substitute in your coffee is one serving; one can of diet soda is two). If your diet otherwise consists mainly of real foods, you can enjoy a little sweetener, whether it's artificial or not.

10. Steer clear of fat-loss pills

Most fat-loss pills are a waste of money, and many carry scary risks, says Aragon. The truth is, the fat loss caused by any supplement is minor and is even less significant in people who have a substantial amount of weight to lose, he says. The best and only real way to uncover your abs - permanently - is to focus on what you eat and how you exercise.

http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/fitness/sexy-abs/126/10-ways-to-get-a-flat-stomach/