If weight loss is your goal, Cara Clark [1] — Christina El Moussa's nutritionist [2] — has three fives for you that guide her clients on their journey to shed pounds. Her cardinal rules of weight loss are simple, straightforward, and easier to implement than you might think.
5 Meals
The first five is about your quantity of daily meals. "Eat five meals all day, all consistent sizes," Cara told POPSUGAR. Make sure these meals have a good balance of macronutrients [4]; she said to ensure they're "filled with lean protein, healthy fat, and complex carbohydrates." Space your meals out "every three to four hours."
5 Colors
"Fill your plate or bowl with vegetables every meal," she said. Ensure there are "at least five different colors of fruits and veggies a day" — so think bright orange carrots, purple cauliflower, green spinach, red tomatoes, and yellow bell peppers. This is an excellent tactic to keep the variety in your food, making for dynamic meals, all while ensuring optimal nutrition. You'll also be giving yourself a fun dietary challenge that will take the monotony out of weight loss.
5 Minutes
She doesn't just limit her advice to food — her final five is minutes of exercise! Add five minutes to your workouts each day, and you'll see more results. "Increase the intensity of your exercise by adding [some] extra cardio to each workout, at least five to 10 minutes," she said. "Shoot to exercise five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes."