Getting in shape and sticking to your health goals can be a roller coaster. Sometimes it’s a struggle, and you feel like you’re swimming upstream.

Then you have those moments where you notice your gains in the mirror, or your favorite jeans feel a little looser, or you crush a HIIT workout that used to feel impossible — and suddenly all that hard work is worth it.

Wherever you are in your weight loss journey, these relatable memes will help you get through the tough spots, one LOL at a time. Just don’t laugh so hard you pull a muscle.

1. When you’re still new to this healthy-living thing.

Lifting a martini glass totally burns calories, right?

2. When your workout is dragging on…and on…

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Is this thing broken? It’s definitely been an hour.

3. When you don’t see immediate results and it’s a little annoying, to be honest.

Me: [uncontrollable sobbing] I can’t see you anymore. I won’t let you hurt me again.
Trainer: It was a sit-up. You did 1 sit-up.

— Jedi Cheesy Grits (@JediGigi) May 25, 2016

First of all, rude.

4. When your math game is strong.

Getting through a cardio workout can turn you into a Harvard-level arithmetic genius.

5. When you reach everyone’s favorite part of the HIIT workout.

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Ugh. Just keeping burpee-ing, just keep burpee-ing…

6. When you wanted to see results, like, yesterday.

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I think I found an ab muscle! Oh wait, that might be last night’s taco.

7. When all those squats finally pay off.

*grabs mic* “I’d like to thank everyone who made this moment possible…”

8. When the plateau hits and you’re searching for inspiration.

Roll up to the gym like, “What’s up, I’m ready for leg day.”

9. When you run into someone you haven’t seen in a few months.

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Sure, you’re doing this for you — but it never hurts to bump into your ex after you’ve finally made those gains. Take a picture, honey, it’ll last longer.

10. When you take that hard-earned ego trip.

via Meme Generator

Yeah, this new lifestyle and I are thinking of making it Facebook-official.

11. When pizza is calling your name.

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Eating in the bathtub is clean eating. Can’t argue with facts.

12. When you try “low-carb” and it feels like pure torture.

I’m starving. Is drywall a carb?

13. When a snack attack happens.

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Whatcha got there? Wait, where are you going? Hey! You! Get back here with those salty carbs!!!

14. When you’re feeling the burn.

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I could use a Swedish massage right about now.

15. When you nail a tough workout.

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Even after the sweat, the tears, and the endless planks, it’s all worth it — because you know you’re stronger, fitter, and healthier than ever.

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Spices form an integral part of Indian cuisines. People add them to main course meals like curry and biryani, desserts and beverages. Even cuisines prepared outside India contain spices in abundance. Historically, spices brought traders from across the globe to India centuries ago. Spices serve a variety of purposes apart from flavour and taste. For example, turmeric is renowned for its antibacterial and therapeutic effects. Many spices can also help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and burning more calories due to their nutritional properties.

Nutritional Advantages of Spices

Spices have intense flavours but don’t make a significant contribution to the calories in our diet. It is because we use them in relatively small amounts. However, some spices contain large protein, fats, and carbs. Paprika, for example, includes a lot of vitamin A. Spices include significant amounts of iron, minerals, magnesium, and calcium. In addition, most spices have antioxidant effects and contain phenolic components like flavonoids, which improve the body’s absorption of nutrients.

Spices that Help in Weight Loss

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The most well-known property of cinnamon is its ability to aid weight loss. Cinnamon has a natural appetite suppressant effect. Additionally, it speeds up your metabolism. It acts as an insulin stimulant and allows sugar metabolization more efficiently. One of the major causes of excess body weight is insulin resistance. It does not indicate that the person has diabetes; rather, it indicates un-metabolized insulin. The sugar in the body turns into fat if not absorbed through its metabolism. Cinnamon aids in breaking down and metabolising sugar. As a result, it helps lose weight.

2. Cayenne Pepper

This blazing hot spice gets easily digested by the stomach and decreases hunger. The active element in cayenne pepper helps to reduce bad cholesterol resulting in improved heart health. In addition, the capsaicin in peppers contains thermogenic properties that help in burning fat.

According to one study, adding 1 gram of cayenne pepper to a meal can raise core body temperature significantly. As a result, your body will burn more calories. In addition, it speeds up the metabolic process. The rate of food transformation by the body and liquids into energy is determined by metabolic rate. Therefore, the body turns nutrients into energy rather than stored fat when your metabolic rate increases. 

3. Fennel

Fennel, commonly known as Saunf, is a natural diuretic and appetite suppressant. It is high in vitamins A, C, and D. It offers several antioxidant characteristics that aid digestive health. Improved digestion naturally results in a healthy digestive system and leads to weight loss.

Fennel is high in fibre, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer. As a result, it reduces cravings and overeating, leading to low-calorie consumption. It ultimately aids in weight loss. Fennel prevents fat accumulation by promoting increased vitamin and mineral absorption. Since Saunf contains diuretic characteristics, consuming fennel tea can help remove toxins from the body, resulting in weight loss. 

The seeds of fennel are essential for boosting metabolism. A healthy metabolic rate leads to a healthy and maintained weight. The key to healthily losing weight is to have a healthy metabolism. Fennel seeds contain volatile oils such as estragole, fenchone, and anethole. They aid digestion by increasing the formation of gastric juices. The key to losing weight in a healthy approach is to have a healthy digestive system.

4. Fenugreek

Fenugreek contains fibre that aids in the suppression of food cravings. Fibre also makes you feel full and prevents you from overeating. In addition, the mucilaginous fibre in the fenugreek seeds relaxes and shields the digestive system from damage caused by free radicals. As a result, it improves digestion and food absorption.

Fenugreek seeds have a significant level of insoluble fibre, which is essential for proper digestion and aids in the elimination of toxins. Additionally, galactomannan is a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide in fenugreek seeds. It improves weight loss by lowering fat accumulation. 

5. Cardamom

Cardamom is a diuretic and digestive stimulant that boosts metabolism and burns fat more effectively. So a spoonful of this fragrant spice can help you lose a few pounds. 

Cardamom promotes weight loss by preventing indigestion, constipation, and water retention. It contains active chemicals that combat bacteria and balance intestinal flora. It also allows proper digestion. Additionally, it contains melatonin that speeds up the body’s fat-burning mechanism. It also aids in the expulsion of excess water from the body, retained as urine. 

The majority of fat collected near the belly in many people increases the risk for various health concerns. Cardamom water aids in the reduction of belly fat-storage by reducing the bulge in that region. You can mix a few pods into your tea or eat them to get the optimum results.

6. Black Pepper

Black pepper is capable of a lot more than merely flavouring your meal. For example, piperine, a chemical found in black pepper, improves metabolic function and reduces fat storage in the body. As a result, you can effectively prevent obesity with black pepper dishes like black pepper tea.

Black pepper additionally aids the body’s ineffective absorption of the nutrients. It is known as dietary bioavailability. In addition, it aids in boosting immunity and prevents infections. If mixed with other fat-burning ingredients, black pepper can burn an equivalent amount of calories as a 20-minute walk. It also prevents the formation of new fat cells.

7. Garlic

Along with its strong flavour, this spice also possesses fat-burning effects. Garlic burns the body fat by increasing the overall body temperature.

Garlic is essential for increasing energy levels, which helps you burn calories and stay in shape. It actively increases the metabolic rate and helps the body lose weight more effectively. In addition, garlic is well-known for its appetite-suppressing properties. It keeps you full for long, reducing your chances of overeating.

It’s a fantastic detoxifier. It aids in the removal of toxins that severely damages the digestive system. Garlic also provides several other health benefits, including lowered blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and prevented heart disease and osteoarthritis. Therefore, you should include garlic in your regular diet. 

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is a well-known immunity-boosting plant that can also aid weight loss. In addition, it bears several fat-burning qualities. It aids in digestion and is a powerful fat-burning agent. It also contains a chemical called curcumin, which aids in increasing the body’s metabolic rate simply by increasing core body heat. 

Curcumin reduces inflammatory markers linked to obesity. People who are overweight or obese have higher levels of these indicators. Therefore, this substance can help you lose weight, inhibit fat tissue growth, prevent weight gain, and improve insulin sensitivity. 

Mix turmeric powder to your curry or beverages and enjoy your healthy diet. 

9. Ashwagandha

It is one of the most effective spices for weight reduction. This plant can help to improve digestion and promote metabolism. The herb contains antioxidants, anticonvulsants, and antibacterial qualities. 

Ashwagandha aids in reducing stress, one of the leading reasons for weight gain in the present time. Especially for women, various physical issues cause stress to women. Few of these concerns include an irregular menstruation cycle, acne, pimples, and bloating. It directly increases the body’s cortisol level, further leading to stress. Stress and elevated cortisol levels commonly contribute to weight gain. Ashwagandha relieves anxiety and reduces the adverse effects of cortisol on the body and overall health. It suppresses your hunger and, as a result, aids in weight loss.

Ashwagandha is high in antioxidants, necessary for weight loss and general health. They boost the metabolic rate, reduce inflammation, and aid in burning fat accumulated in the body.

10. Guggul

Guggul is a herb extracted from the resin of the Commiphora Mukul tree. As per a study, guggul can help with weight loss and improve thyroid function. Furthermore, combining a guggulsterone phosphate supplement with regular exercise results in a considerable reduction in the body’s fat mass.

High cholesterol is commonly treated and controlled with this Ayurvedic herb. In addition, ayurvedic remedies are famous for helping people lose weight and live healthier lifestyles. 

Guggul includes plant steroids known as guggulsterone that help lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Research suggests that guggulsterone help improve thyroid health, which means they aid the body’s natural ability to control metabolism. The thyroid’s primary function is to regulate your metabolism. 

Metabolism refers to how your body converts food into energy that it can use to function. The thyroid produces T4 and T3 hormones to regulate metabolism. These hormones are responsible for informing the body’s cells about how much energy they should consume. Lack of proper release of these hormones results in storing all the nutrients in fat. As a result, it further contributes to weight gain.

Healthy Recipes Using Spices

Asian Jalapeno Chicken

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Cold pressed coconut oil or home made ghee: 1 tbsp
• Boneless chicken breasts chunks:  ½  kgs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Sesame seeds: 1/2 tsp
• Chopped fresh cilantro leaves: 2 tbsp
• Cornstarch: 1 tbsp
• Honey: 1/2 cup
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Lemon Juice: 1 lemon
• Sodium soy sauce: 2 tbsp
• Apple cider vinegar: 1 tbsp 
• Sesame oil: 1 tsp
• Jalapeno: 1 

Method

• Put the vegetable oil over medium flame in a skillet. 
• Use salt and pepper to season the chicken. Place the seasoned skillet in the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes till it turns golden.
• Then mix cornstarch and one tablespoon water in a bowl.
• Take a small frying pan and mix honey, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil and jalapeno over medium flame.
• Boil it and after lowering the heat, add cornstarch mixture to it till it becomes thick—mix chicken in it.
• Serve after garnishing with sesame seeds.

Spiced Raw Chocolate Mousse

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Raw cashews: 30g
• Raw cocoa: 2 tbsp
• Ripe avocado: 1
• Frozen banana: 1
• Raw organic honey: 2 tbsp
• Cayenne pepper- 1/2 tsp
• Ground ginger- 1/2 tsp
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

• Soften the cashews by soaking them in water for 10 to 12 minutes. 
• Put soaked cashews, cocoa, avocado, banana, honey (or maple syrup), cayenne, ginger and salt in a blender and mix until it becomes smooth and thick. 
• Add water if it becomes too thick. 
• Serve chilled

The Best Ways to Use Spices

Spices have so many health benefits that it’s advisable to incorporate them into your everyday food menu. In addition, you can use them in various ways to promote excellent health.

• The easiest way to add spice into your diet is through cooking. Whole, ground, and blended spices are readily accessible in the market. To improve food taste and nutrient content, you can use specific spices or add significant amounts of mixed spice to food while cooking.
• You can also use spices as preservatives. For example, you can use them to extend the shelf life of prepared meals. Pickles are the most common example of this.
• You can use spices as home remedies to address various minor health conditions. For example, prepare face packs using turmeric, nutmeg, and cinnamon to treat acne and achieve bright skin. Turmeric paste also treats minor scrapes and bruises. In addition, it is rich with antibacterial properties that heal wounds fast.  

Precaution

Spices are beneficial for health. They are generally safe to consume on an everyday basis without causing significant adverse effects. However, individual reactions to different spices can be harmful if you consume spiced foods or drinks that aren’t adequately prepared or preserved. Therefore, you should also avoid excessive consumption of spices.

Overeating hot or spiced foods can result in nausea, stomach discomfort, and diarrhoea. It is because spicy foods produce significant body heat, which harms the good bacteria and membrane of the stomach. Moreover, in case of contact with hot spices, there is a possibility of inducing contact dermatitis or red, itchy rashes. Spices that release quite a lot of heat, like cinnamon and nutmeg, are more likely to cause it. 

Furthermore, many spices may react with certain drugs, resulting in blood thinning and haemorrhoids development. Fortunately, these are highly uncommon, and the advantages of spices suppress the minor side effects.

Conclusion

Although spices effectively suppress hunger, it does not mean you should use them excessively. Instead, make intelligent choices, and you’ll lose weight naturally. Also, when purchasing spices, make sure they’re unadulterated and safe, particularly if you’re buying spice blends or powdered spices for consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which spices are good for health?

A. Cinnamon, fennel, fenugreek, and turmeric are all beneficial to your health. Fennel is a natural diuretic and appetite suppressant, while cinnamon contains many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances that aid in weight loss. At the same time, the fibre in fenugreek helps curb food cravings and improves digestion and meal absorption. Furthermore, turmeric helps boost immunity and lose weight. 

Q. How do spices affect your body?

A. Spices offer several health advantages and a delicious taste and fragrance to your food. Therefore, you should include them in your regular diet. They aid in weight reduction, reduce food cravings, enhance digestion and meal absorption, and are also used to promote immunity and improve thyroid function.

Q. What spices boost energy?

A. Several spices help boost energy. For example, ginseng contains ginsenosides, eleutherosides, and ciwujianosides, which have energy-enhancing effects. In addition, spices like cinnamon, cumin, and cloves can help you feel more energised throughout the day.

Q. Which spice keeps the heart healthy?

A. Cinnamon has heart-healthy properties. It helps lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which helps lower blood pressure and keeps blood flowing well around your body. Furthermore, some spices in Indian delicacies also help improve heart health, which include garlic, pepper, coriander, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.

Q. Are dried spices healthy?

A. Yes, dried spices with high ORAC values, such as cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper, have antioxidant properties. A teaspoon of these spices is about the same amount as a cup of blueberries or strawberries. In addition, dried spices have a lot of nutritional value, which helps benefit the body.

Q. Is Chilli good for health?

A. Yes, Chilli has up to seven times the vitamin C content of an orange. As a result, it has several health advantages. For example, it helps reduce headaches, muscular, joint, and nerve pain, and battling nasal congestion. 

Q. What spice unclogs arteries?

A. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that helps maintain arteries clear from any blockages. That is because of curcumin in turmeric. It helps reduce inflammation, a primary cause of artery hardening.

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Getting fit and in shape is something that we all desire. However, our hectic lifestyle and wrong food habits make it almost impossible for us to stay healthy. But as they say, it is never too late to turn things around in your life. So start now, start at whatever age you are, whichever place you stay, just start. All it takes is a tiny step to bring about significant changes.

Weight loss is a journey. Yes, read that again. It is your journey towards a better and healthier lifestyle. Never get on to this weight loss wagon because you feel insecure or wish to fit into some ideal body image. Lose those extra kilos for yourself and not for the society that thinks you are fat or because someone else wants you to lose weight.

In the age of social media, we all want to look fit in our pictures, so we want quick results. Unfortunately, these quick ways of losing weight do work for a while but harm your body in the long run. So when you decide to start your weight loss journey, do it the right way.

Never turn towards artificial or risky ways of losing weight by consuming some pills or powders. They are extremely harmful to your body and can cause severe health issues. Instead, you can speed up your weight loss journey by following a proper diet and exercise routine.

Take the guidance of an expert, research well, understand your body type, and then choose accordingly. Eating the right food and taking proper nutrition is the most crucial part of your weight loss journey. Food is the foundation of our body. What we eat, how much we eat, and how we eat determine how we look and feel from within.

Weight loss is half the food you eat and half your lifestyle choices. Sometimes, people keep blaming their diet or their exercise routine for their stagnant weight. However, the real issue is much more profound. Your body is a machine that needs 360-degree maintenance to function efficiently. Therefore, concentrating only on one part cannot bring wholesome results.

Therefore, pay attention to all the different aspects of your body to speed up your weight loss journey. Sometimes the small things bring about the most significant changes. So, along with eating healthy, maintaining a calorie deficit, and exercising regularly, learn more about your body and its system.

Do not worry if you are tired of trying different methods to lose weight and still feel your weight has become stagnant. We have some expert advice to speed up your weight loss journey and help you shed those extra pounds.

Tips to Reduce Weight Fast

Sometimes, we follow the best diet, exercise hard, and the number on the weighing scale still does not budge. If you are facing something similar in your weight loss journey, then follow these fantastic tips.

1. Eat a High Protein Breakfast 

Eating a high protein breakfast will help keep you full throughout the day and prevent any cravings that you might have.

2. Follow the 80:20 Rule 

The 80:20 rule means that you will eat until you are 80% full and then have some water. That will prevent you from overeating.

3. Choose Whole Foods Over Processed Foods 

Whole foods will help you keep full for a lot longer. You can include whole foods like legumes, pulses, grains, and vegetables in your diet. Anything that is not processed or in a packet will help you lose weight faster.

4. Eat Slowly 

Chew your food a lot longer; this way, you are a lot more likely to eat less. Eating slowly also helps in better digestion.

5. Get a Good Night’s Rest 

Getting a good night’s sleep is very important to speed up your weight loss. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep and rest help your body recover better. If you feel sore from your workout, sleep a little more; you will feel better.

Summary

Losing weight alone should not be your only goal. The goal is to remain fit, lead a healthy life, and not succumb to age-related health issues. Weight loss is not just about exercising for hours and starving your body. Weight loss is a combination of exercise, food, and lifestyle.

If you spend 2 hours at the gym daily and eat processed or junk food after coming back home, then all your hard work goes into vain. Discipline and regularity are the two most important things if you wish to lose weight and lead a healthy life.

Eat more protein-rich food as protein helps to build muscles and aids in muscle repair. Eat to fill your stomach and not your heart. Stop before you feel full. Drink water to avoid overeating. Chew your food at least 36 times. That makes it easier for our digestive system to break the food molecules and prevent gastric or digestive problems.

The most important thing to remember to speed up your weight loss journey is to give your body the rest that it deserves. When we sleep, our body repairs itself. Therefore, lack of rest or sleep can slow down your metabolic rate. As a result, it will lead to the accumulation of calories and then cause weight gain.

Therefore, it is imperative to pay equal attention to all these factors to lose weight effectively and efficiently. In addition, stress is another factor that affects your brain and affects your physical health. Therefore, stress too can hamper your metabolism, lower your appetite and lead to excessive weight gain.

So be vigilant about your lifestyle choices. Exercise alone cannot help you lose weight. All these factors also contribute to your weight loss journey. So live a wholesome life that includes a healthy lifestyle, nutritious food, physical activity, and adequate rest.

And always remember, what works for one person might not work for you and vice versa. So never compare your journey with someone else, as each person is different and unique. Finally, despite all your efforts, if you are not making progress, get yourself checked and find out if any health issues are lurking underneath. 

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