I believe there are only two ways to truly manage weight, through exercising and eating healthy. There simply is no magic shortcut, and while this may seem obvious to some people it is overlooked far, far, too often. Now you’re probably wondering, if diet and exercise are the only ways to lose weight, why did you write this list? Because there are still natural remedies and recipes that will help you reach your ultimate goal. If you use these in addition to eating better and getting some exercise, they can speed up the process. There are many different contributing factors to losing/gaining weight, so the below remedies cover a wide range.

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Green Tea & Ginger

Green tea has long been debated as a weight loss aid, and more research is needed to confirm or deny how well it works. While some studies have turned up nothing, others have identified three main components in green tea that could help manage weight-caffeine, catechins, and theanine. Caffeine is just an overall boost to your system, and speeds up a number of bodily processes, including metabolism related to weight technically speaking, metabolism refers to any and all biological processes in a living organism needed to sustain life.

You Will Need

• 1/2 inch of fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped OR ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 8 ounces of fresh water
• Raw, organic honey (optional)

Directions

Place green tea and ginger in a strainer or sieve and cover with 8 ounces of boiling water. Steeping green tea for too long can leave it with a bitter taste, so don’t exceed 3-4 minutes. You can stir in a little raw honey if you really need to sweeten it, but avoid milk or sugar at all costs. Drink 1-2 cups daily on an empty stomach.

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Rose Petal Water

The petals of the rose has compounds that not only give it anti-septic and anti fungal properties, but it has been known to beat acne and clear blemishes as well. Apart from that rose petals also have laxative and diuretic properties, that help clear out the stomach, get rid of toxins from the body, improves metabolism and digestion — in turn  helping aiding in weight loss.

You Will Need

• Handful of fresh or dried rose petals
• Distilled water (roughly 1-2 cups)
• A pot with a tightly fitting lid

Note: Be sure, especially if using fresh rose petals, that they have not been treated with any sort of chemical (insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.)

Directions

Place the pot on the stove, put in the rose petals, and add just enough distilled water to completely cover them. If some float to the top it’s not a big deal. Cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid and simmer until the petals lose most of their color, about 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid into a glass jar and keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Drink about ½-1 cup every morning on an empty stomach.

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil for weight loss is the best fat to choose, due to the plethora of healthy medium chain saturated fatty acids (MCTs) that boost metabolism for immediate energy. As a bonus, the MCTs in coconut oil don’t end up as stored body fat like longer chain fatty acids sometimes can. Countries that consume high amounts of coconut and coconut oil in their diets such as the Philippines, India, and the Pacific Islands have significantly fewer cases of heart disease and obesity clearly disproving any agenda driven smear campaign against this marvelously healthy oil!

You will need

• 2 tablespoons of good virgin cold-pressed coconut oil

Directions

Twice a day, take 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. You can take it before, during, or after a meal. If you tend to struggle with proportions, I suggest taking it before you eat, or if dessert is your demon, take it right after dinner. In terms of substitution I’ve used it in place of olive oil and love it.

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Plain Yogurt & Honey

There is no question that both honey and yogurt alone offer a variety of health benefits, but what about the combination of the two? In combination, their nutritive value and other benefits can be increased. The high glucose content from honey in conjunction with a protein source is an optimal choice even today for endurance, weight training and muscle recovery. Yogurt & honey as a nutritive snack in moderation can also be a low calorie, nutrient-dense food providing an ideal balance of carbohydrates and protein. In mixing the nutritive content of honey with the amino acids in yogurt, you will aid your body in achieving ideal digestion. This will in turn help all of the systems of your body work together for optimum health.

You Will Need

• 1/2-1 cup of plain (not vanilla) yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of organic raw honey, or to taste

Directions

Eat this for a snack or breakfast, adding on the honey for flavor. Feel free to try adding fresh fruit or even oats for a little variety.

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Black Pepper and Lemon Juice

Black pepper and lemon juice to create a drink that can help you keep ahead on your weight loss battle.

You will need

• Several sprinkles of freshly ground black pepper
• Juice of half a lemon
• Fresh water

Directions

Mix lemon juice with water and sprinkle in black pepper. Drink once daily after a meal.

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Apple Snacks

An apple a day keeps the weight at bay! While not overflowing with nutrients like other fruits or vegetables, apples still have a number of benefits that can contribute to weight loss.

You Will Need

-1-2 fresh apples

Directions

Slice an apple, and eat one to two daily. Leave the skin on, as that contains a good amount of fiber.

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