How to lean down: Just another phrasal verb?

Introduction
American English, apart from using nouns as verbs, also have a large number of phrasal verbs that is unique to their way of speaking English. Take for example, the phrase ‘lean down’, which means to slim down and is unheard of in other parts of the world where English is spoken just as well as the Brits or Americans do (even if they’re a unilingual race).

Before one assumes that this piece is a snotty paper about English Language from a socio-linguistic point-of-view, it really isn’t –merely a wild digression to matters that are rather trivial and unrelated to fitness. However, this piece (at least from here on) is about simple tips by which one can get that ‘mean’ (er, lean) look.

Tips to Lean Down
We all want a ‘lean’ body, but the question is whether we are prepared to work for it. The only difference between you and that shapely supermodel on the cover of the latest Cosmo, is the body or belly fat that seems to never go away.

Yes, we have all been preached to about eating right, having an exercise program and taking sufficient rest. As you cannot take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, these three tenets can mean very different things for different people. Yet before you dig a little deeper to find out what is best for you, here is how you can get started:

Tip One: Begin with the end in mind. Visualize yourself having no body fat and that can alone motivate you to try out the next five tips! You will get there but you have to make up your mind first, says Mr. Dale Carnegie. This is not only applicable to communication but anything you desire to achieve as it the mind that gives up first before the body does.

Tip Two: Stop lying around in your free time! It is better to sit or stand up or even move around (if not do some light exercise), especially during times when you want to watch some TV, read a book or while on Facebook.

Tip Three: Reduce your intake of salty and fatty foods that will ‘help’ you gain weight.

Tip Four: Start eating food loaded with protein and good fats as a low-carb diet will ensure that the fat stored in your body is used for energy. Chicken, turkey, most fish, low fat milk, low fat cheese, butter, eggs, and most veggies are excellent sources of protein, while sources of good fats include almond oil, olive oil, canola oil and butter. Some experts recommend going on a raw diet for some time, if one wants to cut belly fat!

Tip Five: It is not only important to watch ‘what’ you eat but ‘when’ and ‘how much’ as well. Irregular timings leads to irregular portions of food being consumed, and you cannot call that dieting.

Tip Six: Try a total body workout rather than just working on your abs. If one has to lose weight, it is important that the entire body is a part of the exercise routine as opposed to isolating muscle group only. Importantly, if you do not have time from your busy schedule, make time!

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