It’s hard to lose weight when you love to eat but we learned the best weight loss strategies for foodies without giving up your love for food.
I lost 20 lbs during the lockdown while enjoying food, without starving myself.
Best Weight Loss Diet: Mediterranean Diet and Olive Oil
Eating plans in places like Italy, Spain, Greece and other countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is the best way to achieve a heart-healthy body and lose weight while you eat.
The Mediterranean diet is mainly characterized by vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, whole grains, beans; limited poultry, eggs, and dairy; and lots of olive oil.
Doña Elena, made in Priego de Cordoba in Andalucia, Spain, is the #1 olive oil brand in the Philippines.
Read: How Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Made in Spain
We eat our salads with extra virgin olive oil which is the purest form of olive oil from the first cold press.
It has a strong flavor, high healthful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat content and lots of antioxidants and nutrients. It also helps lower blood pressure.
We like dipping our whole grain bread in EVOO, balsamic vinegar and grated cheese for snacks and for satisfying our carb cravings.
I love the flavor of olive oil on the bread—the stronger the better—and the fact that you can dip all you can.
Sometimes we would still eat fried food like mozzarella cheese sticks, so we would use pomace olive oil to lessen the guilt.
It’s great for frying because of its high heat tolerance and low saturated fat content that lets you maintain your figure.
Pure olive oil is used for sautéing seafood, cooking pasta and everyday cooking.
It’s a healthier cooking oil option because it is a blend of extra virgin and refined olive oil, providing good flavor with healthy fats.
Best Weight Loss Exercise: Nitric Oxide Dump and Push-Up
Nitric Oxide Dump developed by Dr. Zach Bush is a new version of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that consists of quick succession of squats, arm raises, circular arm swings (also called non-jumping jacks) and shoulder presses.
We do 3 sets of Nitric Oxide Dump with 30 repetitions each exercise. I love it because it doesn’t require weights, it is quick and easy to do, and it makes you feel energized afterwards.
I would do pushups as a tribute to my father who would always encourage me to do 100 a day to have a macho loop. I’m doing 30/day and hopefully soon get to 100.
Best Weight Loss Drink: Kombucha
Kombucha is natural probiotic drink for gut health that aids in digestion.
My wife Rache makes the best kombucha at home and my favorite flavors are ginger and basil with lime.
Best Weight Loss Detox Program: Yoli 28 Days Better Body System
I tell you I’ve tried a lot of weight loss programs in the market before, and Yoli Better Body System is the only one that works specially for foodies like me.
The Yoli eating plan recommends eating a lot of protein and do alternate carb cycling to burn fats effectively.
Best Weight Loss Dessert: 70% Dark Chocolate
The best dessert is 70% dark chocolate, particularly Risa’s 70% South Cotabato Chocolate.
Final Thoughts
The war against COVID is detrimental to the senior citizens and weight-challenged people in the world, because of the risk factors that these people usually have. I realized how important my physical well-being is in boosting my immunity and fighting against this invisible enemy. This motivated me to do a body transformation and commit to a healthier lifestyle.
I’m sorry for making OAP readers fat over the years with our restaurant reviews and unhealthy habits. I want to correct this and help you become healthier with my posts moving forward.
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We are affiliated with the products mentioned in this article because we believe in them. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.
Good article on weight loss. I hope Mediterranean food helps in reduction of weight.
Inspiring read Anton, can you please share how to do a great kombucha. Tried before but failed outcome. Buying it in malls are expensive also. Want to improve my gut health as well.