Many of us have that friend who is constantly losing and gaining weight. You might think that this is just a part of being human but actually, there is a reason why this friend is always in a rush to eat. Maybe they are really hungry or maybe they just like to indulge in food every now and again. We don’t know and, in reality, it’s none of our business. What we do know is that this constant yo-yo dieting is taking a toll on this person’s health. It’s not just the fact that they are unhappy about their appearance that concerns us, but there is also the fact that they may be headed for heart disease and diabetes. That’s why it’s important to find out what is behind this frustrating pattern.
Make Healthy Choices When Eating Out
One of the primary reasons behind this friend’s yo-yo dieting is that they make poor food choices when eating out. When going out to eat, it is important to remember that there are certain foods that are healthy and there are certain foods that aren’t. For example, pizza is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest inventions, but when you consume pizza every single day, it starts to lose its charm. The same goes for fried foods and potato salad – although those are some of the most delicious and iconic dishes in the world, they aren’t the best for your health. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to avoid food that is high in fat and sugar. If you are at a restaurant that serves fried food, it is better to choose a healthier option, for example, grilled chicken or fish. If you want to indulge in pizza, go for the veggie option or just have a salad.
Track What You Eat
In the same way that we don’t judge our friend for their weight fluctuations, it’s important not to judge yourself for what you eat either. If you want to lose weight, it is important to keep track of what you eat and when you eat it. This is particularly useful if you are trying to avoid certain foods which may be leading you toward weight gain. If you find that you are eating more calories than you need, it’s a good idea to cut down on the foods which you perceive to be unhealthy. Alternatively, you could try going to a healthy food store and purchasing only the foods which you feel will help you achieve your target weight. If you feel guilty when eating certain foods, it’s normal to wonder whether or not they are contributing to your weight gain. However, the key is to not worry about it; instead, just keep track of what you eat and when you eat it so you can have a clear picture of what is leading you toward weight gain or loss.
Reduce Stressful Eating Habits
Stress and anxiety often lead to unhealthy eating habits. When you are under a lot of pressure at work or at home, it’s very easy for your body to produce cortisol, the “stress hormone”. While cortisol is good in small amounts, continuously high levels of cortisol can cause weight gain. What’s more, stress and anxiety often lead to cravings for foods which are highly processed. If you want to reduce your stress and anxiety, it’s important to find healthier ways of dealing with these situations. Try yoga, meditation, or taking a walk. If you are unable to reduce your stress and anxiety through healthier means, there is always the option of seeing a doctor to help you out.
Consume More Vegetables
In a perfect world, we would all be eating healthy, organic foods all the time but, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Even in a food desert, there are usually plenty of unhealthy options around, so it’s important to keep that in mind whenever you eat out. If you want to lose weight, a good place to start is by increasing your consumption of vegetables. There are many different types of vegetables which provide various nutrients which help to keep your body healthy and strong. Eating plenty of vegetables will also increase the amount of calories that you burn, which in turn, reduces the amount of calories that you take in. If you want to be able to concentrate on more important things than your waistline, then it’s time to eat your vegetables!
Don’t Forget About Exercise
Even if you do manage to reduce your calorie intake and begin to lose weight, there are still other factors which may be preventing you from reaching your target weight. One of the most important things to remember is that although you may be producing less calories than you consume, you are still consuming more than you need. To achieve your goal weight, it is important to exercise as well. There are many different types of exercises which work perfectly for different people. If you want to lose weight, join a gym or find a workout partner who can guide you through an exercise routine. It is also a good idea to try and reduce your daily coffee intake as it contains a lot of caffeine which can increase your calorie intake. Instead of having a coffee after your workout, try having an herbal tea or a glass of wine which do not have the same effects.
Don’t Be Fooled By The Scale
Many people who want to lose weight will be tempted to go on a diet which only focuses on what they consume. One of the major problems with these types of diets is that they don’t take into account your body’s natural rhythms or any possible variations which may exist. One of the main reasons why it is so difficult to lose weight is because your body is constantly changing as you get older. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to develop an understanding of how your body functions so you can have a better grasp of whether or not you are reaching your target weight.
Avoid Unhealthy Food Choices
To summarize, whenever you eat out, it’s important to consider how much food is actually being served as compared to how much you need. What’s more, it’s important to avoid foods which are high in sugar and fat and to opt for healthier options whenever possible. To start, cut back on ice cream and potato salad, and instead, choose grilled chicken or fish. Similarly, when you go to a fast food restaurant, it’s better to order something small which will have less calories than a large order which will also have a lot of calories.
Learn To Be Happy With Your Body
It’s natural to feel anxious about your body image. After all, when you were born, it was already formed and you’ve probably seen many other people who are much more physically attractive than you. However, your body is a tool which you can use to your advantage. There are many different ways in which you can feel happy with your body which don’t necessarily have to do with your weight. If you want to lose weight and gain health, it’s important to focus on the positive aspects of your appearance. When you are feeling down about your body, it is often because you are comparing yourself to others which are much more physically attractive than you. Instead of focusing on what you lack, focus on what you have which is definitely worth something: your health and your life. As Dr. Mark Hyman of the Cleveland Clinic puts it, “A positive attitude can help you to lose weight. So instead of focusing on what you lack, focus on what you have.”
Even if you do manage to lose a considerable amount of weight, it can still be quite a struggle to maintain what you’ve lost. For that reason, it is important to understand why you are losing the weight and what triggers you to eat again. Only then can you have a better understanding of whether or not you are truly making those lasting changes which you desire. If this sounds like you, then losing weight might just be a matter of time until you gain it all back. To avoid this situation, it is important to learn how to manage your weight and ensure that you don’t gain it back once you’ve lost it. By taking good care of your body, you’ll be able to live a healthier lifestyle and make the most out of what you’ve got. Thanks to Dr. Hyman for putting things in perspective for us.