Do you know how many times I’ve heard that Italian pasta is forbidden for any successful weight loss program, especially from low carb supporters? Well, I will talk based on my own experience while enjoying a healthy Mediterranean diet.
I love pasta and eat pasta while still keeping off the 80 pounds I lost from 230 pounds for over 3 years.

Moreover, I make my own home-made pasta. Extreme diets are not good in the long-term. Certainly, you can lose weight on those quick “hunger” diets, but is not better to enjoy eating healthier and still losing weight? You bet it is!

I will share with you my secret to enjoy your favorite Italian pasta and still lose weight: Small portions, eat slowly, and exercise. Wait… there is more… Although there is not a “one-size-fits-all diet,” a Mediterranean style diet is a balanced way of life providing you with proper nutrients.

Truth is you need to have protein, carbs, fiber, and good fat in your weight loss program.

The secret is “moderation and not consuming more calories than you can burn.”Now, do not get me wrong. Yes, you can gain weight if you eat too much starchy carbs, such as pasta and white rice without exercising and not consuming enough protein. In addition, if your pasta dish is a “super size me” portion, most likely you will pile on extra calories.

A normal 1/2 cup of pasta has about 200 calories, if you get “super size pasta,” which most restaurants serve the equivalent of three to four cups of pasta, are you adding the numbers? Voila, you will have about 600-800 calories, without including those warm bread served before the pasta, plus your deserve, and so on.

Obviously, you are going to add extra calories, and if you do not burn those extra calories, well, helloo… you know where those calories are going to go. Exactly, right there, as stored fat.

However, if you consume extra calories, next day you can adjust by increasing your cardio exercises. This is what I usually do after eating those extra tempting warm breads. Furthermore, I also modify my menu and have more vegetables, fruits, protein and less starch carbs.

The point is that you should not starve, neither deprive yourself of your favorite food. Carbs work as body fuel; they give you energy. The issue is that you have to use that energy, if not, then it becomes stored fat. Simple, just like one plus one is two.

Let me give you an example. When I was living in Italy, I used to eat pasta almost every day, including lunch and dinner and I did not gain weight. Why? Simply, my lifestyle was very active.

In Italy, I used to walk daily. Now, comparing Italian portions versus most American portions there is a big difference. Here is why, reportedly, there are more overweight people in the USA. Consuming extra - humongous portions - and not exercising results in overweight, obese people.

Another difference, eating habits are almost set to the clock. This means not eating often or while standing. Mealtimes are to enjoy. I did gain weight when I came back to the USA. I continue eating my pasta just as I did in Italy but I was not walking anymore.

Also, I noticed my taste switched to “super size me” portions and eating all kinds of junk food… so, no wonder why I gained so much weight soon. I take full responsibility for my negligence because I surrendered to the “super size portions” trap. Good thing is that I survived heavy super size commercials too and YOU can do it too.

Now, I still eat my pasta, and sometimes even make my own home-made pasta too. However, I learned how to adjust my eating habits and lifestyle.

1. Eat every 3 hours to boost the metabolism and burn stored fat.
2. Eat pasta mostly for lunch (occasionally, you can have pasta for dinner).
3. Drink your 8 glasses of water to keep your body hydrated, flush toxins,
4. Exercise 5 days a week (combine cardio exercises and weight training).
5. Have your nutritional supplements, and drink 2 cups of green tea daily to boost your metabolism and flush toxins.
6. Make sure to include protein for breakfast and dinner and within 30 minutes after working out.

Hey… it’s been over 3 years and I have not gained the weight back…. yet, I still enjoy my fresh home-made Italian pasta and “la dolce vita” with my favorite red wine “Chianti.” A good hint is never force yourself to finish a meal when your stomach says, “Hey, I am full.” I want to help you lose weight by setting realistic goals and learning how to eat healthier. Hence, let me make a toast with you to cheer you up on your quest to lose weight.

Start with these 4 basic principles:

1. Check your meals size portion.
2. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals.
3. Start exercising (combining cardio exercises and weights).
4. Drink your 8 glasses of water, and believe in yourself.

“You Can Lose Weight and Stop the Yo-Yo Diet and those bird or elephant meal portions. You can discover the NEW you, just as I did. Your new figure is waiting for you! If I did it, so can you.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy this delicious meal and still lose weight - my very own home-made Italian pasta with a bruschetta, an aperitivo “Bellagio style”, a green salad, and my favorite Chianti wine. Buon appetito!

Viva la pasta e la dolce vita!

Cheers for the NEW YOU and YOUR successful weight loss program!

Your Motivated Weight Loss Friend,

Anna O.
Overweight No More!

You can also visit my weight loss blog for more tips  http://howyoucanloseweightnow.com

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Anna O. Overweight No More, shows you the weight loss tips she used to lose 80 pounds from 230 pounds. She reveals not only how YOU can lose weight, but also how YOU can keep it off while eating regular meals not strict weight loss diets. PS: She has kept the weight off for over 3 years. Start YOUR Weight Loss Program today!
http://howyoucanloseweightnow.com