The Secret? Have small portions and eat slowly!

Are you tired of eating like a little bird and starving to lose weight to gain it all back? Welcome to the club! Do you know how many times I've heard that Italian pasta is forbidden for any successful weight loss program, especially from low carb supporters? Well, I will talk based on my own experience. I love pasta and eat pasta while still keeping off the 80 pounds I lost from 230 pounds for over 3 years.

Moreover, I make my own home-made pasta. Extreme diets are not good, you can lose weight on those quick "hunger" diets, but is not better to enjoy eating healthier and still losing weight? You can also lose weight. I will share my secret with you now: Small portions, eat slowly, and exercise.

Although there is not a "one-size-fits-all diet," you need to have protein, carbs, fiber, and good fat in your weight loss program. The secret is "moderation and not consuming more calories than you can burn."

Now, do not get me wrong. Yes, you can gain weight if you eat too much starchy carbs, such as pasta and white rice without exercising and not consuming enough protein. In addition, if your pasta dish is a "super size me" portion, most likely you will pile on extra calories. A normal 1/2 cup of pasta has about 200 calories, if you get "super size pasta," which most restaurants serve the equivalent of three to four cups of pasta, are you adding the numbers? Voila, you will have about 600-800 calories, without including those warm bread served before the pasta, plus your deserve, and so on.

Obviously, you are going to add extra calories, and if you do not burn those extra calories, well, helloo... you know where those calories are going to go. Exactly, right there, as stored fat.

However, if you consume extra calories, next day you can adjust by increasing your cardio exercises. This is what I usually do after eating those extra tempting warm breads. Furthermore, I also modify my menu and have more vegetables, fruits, protein and less starch carbs. The point is that you should not starve, neither deprive yourself of your favorite food. Carbs work as body fuel; they give you energy. The issue is that you have to use that energy, if not, then it becomes stored fat. Simple, just like one plus one is two.

Let me give you an example. When I was living in Italy, I used to eat pasta almost every day, including lunch and dinner and I did not gain weight. Why? Simply, my lifestyle was very active. In Italy, I used to walk daily. Now, comparing Italian portions versus most American portions there is a big difference. Here is why, reportedly, there are more overweight people in the USA. Consuming extra - humongous portions - and not exercising results in overweight, obese people.

Another difference, eating habits are almost set to the clock. This means not eating often or while standing. Mealtimes are to enjoy. I did gain weight when I came back to the USA. I continued eating my pasta just as I did in Italy but I was not walking anymore. Also, I noticed my taste switched to "super size me" portions and eating all kinds of junk food... so, no wonder why I gained so much weight soon. However, I take full responsibility for my negligence because I surrendered to the "super size portions" trap. Good thing is that now I survived heavy super size commercials too, and YOU can do it too.

Now, I still eat my pasta, and even make my own home-made pasta too. However, I learned how to adjust my eating habits and lifestyle.

1. I eat every 3 hours to boost my metabolism and burn stored fat.

2. I eat pasta mostly for lunch (occasionally, I have pasta for dinner).

3. I drink my 8 glasses of water

4. Exercise 5 days a week (combine cardio exercises and weight training).

5. I have my nutritional supplements, and drink my 2 cups of green tea daily.

6. I make sure to include protein for breakfast and dinner and within 30 minutes after working out.

Hey... it's been over 3 years and I have not gained the weight back.... yet, I still enjoy my fresh home-made Italian pasta and my favorite red wine "Chianti." A good hint is never force yourself to finish a meal when your stomach says, "Hey, I am full."

I want to help you lose weight by setting realistic goals and learning how to eat healthier. Hence, let me make a toast with you to cheer you up on your quest to lose weight. Start with these 4 basic principles:

1. Check your meals size portion.

2. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals.

3. Start exercising.

4. Drink your 8 glasses of water, and believe in yourself.

"You Can Lose Weight and Stop the Yo-Yo Diet and those bird or elephant meal portions. You can discover the NEW you, just as I did. Your new figure is waiting for you! If I did it, so can you.

In the meantime, let's enjoy this delicious meal and still lose weight - my very own home-made Italian pasta with a bruschetta, an aperitivo "Bellagio style", a green salad, and my favorite Chianti wine. Buon appetito!

Viva la pasta e la dolce vita!

Cheers for the NEW YOU and YOUR successful weight loss program!

Your Motivated Weight Loss Friend,

Anna, Overweight No More!

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Suggested Weight Loss Articles by Anna, Overweight No More

How I lost 80 Pounds from 230 Pounds...(Anna's story)
http://www.officialoverweightnomore.com/mystory.html

Why Are We Overweight?
http://www.officialoverweightnomore.com/why_are_we_overweight.html

Free Weight Loss Tips to Boost Your Metabolism and Burn Fat Faster
http://www.officialoverweightnomore.com/weight_loss_tips.html

Help! Which Diet to follow, High Protein or Low Carb?
http://www.officialoverweightnomore.com/proteinorcarbdiet.html

About the Author: Anna Overweight No More, a work-at-home mom, shows you the weight loss tips she used to lose 80 pounds from 230 pounds. She reveals not only how YOU can lose weight, but also how YOU can keep it off while eating regular meals not strict weight loss diets. She has kept the weight off for over 3 years. http://www.officialoverweightnomore.com

Source: www.isnare.com