The Naked Diet Plan

Are you satisfied with the way you look when you strip down? Unfortunately, it’s common for women to hate what they see. The problems associated with eating fast and processed foods, sedentary lifestyles and hectic schedules are only compounded by the barrage of images of impossibly-slim women that Americans are exposed to every day. This combination has lead to a national crisis of deficient self-esteem.

Take back your confidence and focus on getting more comfortable in your own skin. Tackle the problems that are holding you back from loving your body with tactics that will help you improve the way you feel about your body from the inside out.

Step 1: Assess Your Body

At home, stand in front of a mirror naked and take a look at your body. This part of the Naked Diet Plan will help you see yourself with new eyes. Change the way you feel about your body by processing what you see in a different way.

• Take inventory of your body. Choose one thing you want to work on, but more importantly, write down three things you really love about your body – your eyes, lips, hair, legs – and make sure to focus and accentuate those positive attributes
• Keep a go-to outfit in your closet. Your go-to outfit should be something you know you look good in, makes you feel amazing, and accentuates those parts of your body that you feel most proud about. When you feel more confident with your clothes on, you’ll be able to adopt a more positive frame of mind, and it’ll be easier to take your clothes off.

Step 2: Boost Metabolism to Reduce Fat and Cellulite

Before formulating the Naked Diet Plan, The Dr. Oz Show conducted an investigation to find out what women where most self-conscious about: fat and cellulite.

Every 10 years, women have a 5% decrease in their metabolism. A slower metabolism can lead to having excess fat in places you don’t want it, a decline in muscle mass, and looser skin.

Try these metabolism boosters:

• Forskolin: This plant-based supplement is sourced from a member of the mint and lavender family, and is native to the mountains of Asia. It works to increase your metabolic rate, so you can burn fat more efficiently. It is safe and does not affect your heart rate. When you burn fat, you automatically reduce the appearance of cellulite. You can find it at your local health food store; make sure to only use as directed.
• Banaba Leaf Tea: This tea is sourced from woody plants native to the temperate regions of the US. It stimulates fat loss by lowering blood sugar. When blood sugar is low, the body burns fat. If you’re not a fan of the flavor, you can always steep it in combination with the tea you usually drink. Have 1 or 2 cups a day.
• Balsamic Vinegar and Pickles: The acetic acid found in vinegar and pickles has two major effects. It activates genes that burn fat, and it increases satiety, so your appetite will be satisfied. Have 2 tablespoons of vinegar with your meals and add more pickles to your diet. If you have a strong craving for sugar, eating a pickle will knock it down.

Step 3: Eliminate Bloating

Nothing can more negatively impact the way you feel about your appearance than bloating. Women feel bloated for two reasons: gas and water retention. Fluctuating hormones play a major role in water retention. The hormone aldosterone reaches higher levels before menstruation, which makes you retain salt and water.

Here’s what you can do to reduce bloating:

• Reduce Sodium: Too much sodium is a source of bloating and evening swelling in certain parts of the body. People consume excess amounts of sodium when they eat fast or frozen foods. The American Heart Association recommends a maximum intake of 1500-2300 mg a day. This is a difficult goal to reach when just 1 teaspoon of salt is 2400 mg. Tip: Ditch carbonated beverages and processed foods to help you reach healthier levels of sodium consumption. As you decrease your sodium intake, you decrease your desire for salt.
• Increase Fiber: Many people make the mistake of thinking that fiber-rich foods can cause gas and bloating, but they can actually help over time. Fiber helps foods move more quickly and efficiently through the gastrointestinal tract. When you’re going to the bathroom more often, you feel thinner and lighter. Fiber also soaks up water. The more water in your bowel movements, the less bloated you will feel. Aim for 25-35 grams a day (most Americans only get 10 grams). Tip: Beans are a common bloating culprit. Try hummus instead, which is easier for the body to digest.
• More Magnesium: The National Institutes of Health say we’re not getting enough magnesium, which comes from foods like green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and seeds. Magnesium is important in over 300 biochemical reactions in our body, including metabolizing food and energy. If you feel bloated during your menstrual cycle, taking 200 mg of magnesium daily has been shown to reduce symptoms of fluid retention.

Remember that looking and feeling good go hand in hand. It has just as much to do with what’s going on on the inside as it does with what's going on on the outside. Add 10,000 steps a day to this plan and get closer to feeling better with no clothes on.

More Ways to Feel Better Naked:

• Let a smile be your sarong
• Develop a nude attitude
• Do it with the lights on