Weight loss experts recommend drinking VODKA over other alcoholic drinks to ... trends now
Summer is creeping ever closer, which means embarking on weight-loss goals for millions.
Dieting and exercise are the cornerstones of any successful fat loss journey, but experts have revealed the best hacks to speed up the process.
It's good news if alcohol is your kryptonite when it comes to cutting calories (they have a hack for that). But it's bad news if you hate cold showers.
The above shows the five hacks that were recommended by experts for getting your beach body ready in time for summer. They were swapping beer for vodka and diet soda in order to cut down on calories (1), taking cold showers three times a week to raise your body's metabolism (2), reorganizing the fridge to put healthy foods at eye level (3), switching up your routine to get in enough sleep (4) and walking more (5)
Swap beer for vodka and diet soda, experts suggest. But it is important not to go above the CDC recommendation of two drinks a night for men and one for women
Some fitness experts recommend swapping out beers for diet soda and vodka to speed weight loss.
Just one pint of beer sets someone back about 200 calories on average, whereas a vodka shot and diet soda falls under 100.
While no one recommends drinking in excess, opting for lower-calorie alternatives on a night out can make a difference when it comes to weight loss.
Daniel Dargan, a fitness instructor from Northern Ireland, told DailyMail.com: 'A lot of guys I know who are fantastic throughout the week go on to overconsume on the weekend.
'If they are going out, I would say instead of having beer or cider, they should have a gin or vodka. They are the lightest on calories. And go for singles instead of doubles.'
He added: 'You can still go out and enjoy yourself, but also be in the best shape of your life, so when it comes round to the end of the month your fitness plan hasn't been completely ruined and is still on track.'
Dr Stephen Kopecky, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, told DailyMail.com: 'Alcohol is an ultra-processed carbohydrate, it is a sugar, really.
'So, if you drink, try to limit it and do it in a clever way.'
Bizarrely, he recommends diluting your drinks with soda water.
'When I am out with my friends and they have a beer I tell them to put some sparking water into the same glass or mug.'
Experts also warn that alcohol can lower inhibitions, which may cause someone to cheat on their diet. Hangovers are also known to fuel cravings for junk food.
They recommended limiting alcohol intake.
Cold water showers could also help you prepare a summer body
Taking a cold shower or bath several times a week could help speed weight loss, experts suggest.
When you submerge your body in icy water — even for just two minutes — it ramps up the metabolism and can even suppress cravings, experts say.
The Cleveland Clinic says the cold water activates the body's 'fight or flight' response, triggering cells to start burning more energy to keep warm and speeding up the heart.
They say: 'As your system fights to keep warm, it expends energy. This self-heating process burns additional calories.'
The cold water can also trigger the release of feel-good hormones — scientifically named endorphins — which scientists say can boost mood and may even help to suppress cravings.
Kim Pearson, a nutritionist and weight loss expert in London, said: 'It's one of those mad things that everyone has got into.
'Cold showers and baths are really popular, and we know that cold exposure can help to increase the body's metabolism.
'I have a personal trainer and then do a cold dip straight after that, about three times a week.'
She recommended using either a cold shower or a bath filled with ice cubes. Both should be below about 50F (10C).
Asked how long someone should stay in the water, she said it was best to aim for two to five minutes. Setting a timer is a good tip.
Studies have also highlighted many other health benefits of cold dips, including strengthening the immune system and relieving sore muscles.
It has previously been linked to boosting mood and helping to relieve anxiety or depression.
Re-organize that fridgeUnhealthy foods should be hidden in fridges while healthy ones should be brought to the front, experts say.
Dr Kopecky said that people should reorganize their fridges to help with their weight loss goals.
He told DailyMail.com: 'It's important to make sure your routine is allowing you to be as healthy as you can.
'One thing I recommend is to take the fridge and put at eye-level all the things that are good to eat.
'Stuff like apples, pears, bananas and white-meat proteins like chicken.
'Don't leave at eye-level the things like last night's desert. You have to work to make your new routine work.'
Putting healthy foods on the eye-level shelf in the fridge can help make healthy choices
He said that doing this would help to remove a temptation barrier to sticking to a diet and actively help them to eat healthily.
He added: 'My wife and I moved recently and got this beautiful piece of machinery, but it has two drawers at the bottom that say fruits and vegetables.
'If we put them there, we just wouldn't be able to see them!'
He also recommended people should avoid ultra-processed foods such as ready meals because they contain a lot of extra sugar, salt and calories.
Qualified nutritionist Pearson added that people should look to eat less of foods where they don't recognize all of the ingredients on the back.
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