So you're ready to embark on that quest to shed a few extra pounds before the holiday season sets in? Here's a tip — before heading out to your nearest nutrition store to buy the latest weight loss elixir fad on the market, you may want to start a little closer to home.
Let's say, in your kitchen.
Believe it or not, according to a pair of Atlanta area dietitians and weight loss coaches, you may have some of nature's best weight loss elixirs sitting in your own pantry.
"There are quick and effective things and ideas that are likely already in your home and local environments every day that you can hack for your extreme benefit," said Terrance Hutchinson, the founder and owner of Best Lifestyle Fitness and Nutrition in Atlanta. "I'd tell anyone wanting to lose weight to first go give your kitchen pantry a makeover. Go in and throw out or give away all processed, sugary and salty foods."
But in the midst of that renovation, Hutchinson said a person ambitious about losing weight may discover they already have some key ingredients needed to cause pounds to healthily melt away.
Hutchinson's list includes items such as fresh herbs and spices, green tea, apple cider vinegar, coffee (without the cream and sugar) and olive oil.
Even cooking equipment such as woks, a George Foreman Grill or a sautéing pan are things he said most weight loss enthusiasts already possess.
"Fall in love with those kinds of things, like fresh herbs and spices," he said. "Drink one gallon of water per day, something that everyone has."
Jay Jones, who doubles as a personal trainer and health coach and an assistant boys basketball coach at Forest Park High School, added specifics to Hutchinson's list — particularly in regard to herbs and spices.
"Ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, ginseng, black pepper, dandelions, turmeric, mustard, cumin and cardamon, just to name a few," Jones said. "These all have their own specific benefits to improving health. One could mix to taste or find their own ways of natural use."
Hutchinson said that finding weight loss aids and natural dietary supplements in one's home — combined with an exercise regimen that doesn't require gym membership — is not only a great way to cut the pounds, but it can also aid in slicing a household's budget.
"I would guide any individual to start the weight loss journey by using their environment even beyond just their pantry particularly for exercise," he said. "Such as parks and trails, using recreation centers and high school and college and church gyms along with their diet to make progress for little money."
He also recommended the setting of short term, realistic weight loss goals and regular consultations with a nutritionist or dietitian to help carve out a weight loss plan that makes sense for the individual.
