5 Keys To Successful Weight Loss

Key # 1 - Regulate Your Insulin Levels

Insulin is your body's fat storing hormone and when you eat high glycemic carbs like pasta, rice, potatoes, breads, cereals and sugar you are raising insulin levels. Too much insulin locks the doors to the fat cells, making fat burning next-to-impossible.You can regulate insulin by eliminating sugar and processed carbs, and eating quality protein, fat and vegetables.

Key # 2 - Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands. Those that are in a state of chronic stress will have elevated cortisol levels which make losing weight very difficult. High cortisol levels cause abdominal weight gain, cravings, mood imbalances and break down muscle tissue. Manage stress with deep breathing, yoga, exercise, adrenal supplements and proper sleep. Not sure what you're cortisol levels are, get tested with a simple saliva test.

Key # 3 - DON'T Eat After 8 PM!

Most have heard of this before. Eating later at night affects digestion and metabolism as the body is trying to wind down and prepare for sleep. Satchin Panda, associate professor in the Regulatory Biology Lab at the Salk Institute told Fox News to burn the most fat try going 12 hours without food, like between 8 PM and 8 AM. "That should give your body enough time to burn all of the stored glycogen plus some fat every night", says Panda.

Key # 4 - Limit Snacks, Don't Graze All Day

You've probably heard that it's best to eat like a grazer, snacking every two to three hours, eating the equivalent of five to six "mini-meals" a day. The problem with this is that it affects insulin levels. "If you snack just as your insulin blood level is decreasing, it will promptly rise, even if you have a good snack such as fruit and nuts", says Eduardo Castro, MD, a specialist in fat loss resistance syndrome (FLRS). Only snack if absolutely neccessary to get you to the next meal. Instead try drinking water or doing a stress management technique.

Key # 5 - Do a Detox

There's been increasing concern in the health press about the ability of chemicals in the environment to trigger weight gain. Chemicals like DDE creates extra fat cells even when a baby is still in the womb. Bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates (from plastics) atrazine (a pesticide), tributyltin (a fungicide) and thiocyanate (found in cigarette smoke) all have been implicated in fat gain. Doing a detox is a great way to lose weight and improve your overall health at the same time.