5 Short Weight-Loss Shortcuts

Who can resist a title like «Prevention’s Shortcuts to Big Weight Loss» (Rodale, $22)? Not us, especially when it’s written by Chris Freytag, an exercise guru we saw at the American Council on Exercise conference in Las Vegas.

She’s fun, she’s enthusiastic and she has a body that doesn’t compel you to throw her a Twinkie.

Here are five tips from the book to get you started:

1. Water you thinking? Freytag cites two studies showing how water can help. Of 5,000 Americans studied, those who drank less than a glass of water a day ate 200 more calories than those who drank about seven cups daily. German research showed that two cups of ice water can raise metabolism by 30% for 90 minutes.
2. Got a minute? Then use it to do push-ups during commercials. Or squats while talking on the phone. Or biceps curls with canned goods while grocery shopping.
3. Got another minute? These arm shapers can be done in a mere minute. Take a work break by stretching your arms straight out from your sides, palms down. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed; hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Or do push-ups off of walls or the kitchen counter.
4. Don’t skip it. Breakfast, that is. It elevates your mood, lengthens your attention span and sharpens fact recall. Plus, it helps control weight (unless, of course, you dine on a Denny’s Grand Slam every morning). People who skip the morning meal are almost five times as likely to be obese as those who eat a sensible breakfast. And Freytag says it should count for 25% to 30% of your daily calories.
5. Pssst. They have makeup artists! Don’t let fitness magazines get you down. Few people look like the models. Use them for inspiration, but be fit and healthy in your own way.

BY LESLIE GARCIA • DALLAS MORNING NEWS

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