Are you looking to shed those extra pounds that have crept up on you over the years, but you just can’t seem to bring down no matter how hard you try? Maybe you want to lose those stubborn last ten pounds for your big day next spring and you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this post, you’re going to discover how to lose weight and keep it off for good so you can be the best version of yourself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Here are 10 ways to lose weight and keep it off for good.
Eat Healthily
Eating healthy is essential if you’re going to lose weight and keep it off. You don’t need to cut out any foods per se, but you must be picky about the food you eat, and pay attention to how much you consume. It’s frustrating trying to lose weight only to have your health plunge because you didn’t pay attention to what you were eating. Avoid this trap by being mindful about what you put into your mouth, and you may find that your body starts thanking you for it. Studies show that mindful eating is associated with a reduced appetite and increased body weight. So you’re guaranteed to lose weight if you practice mindful eating.
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Movement
Keeping your body active is crucial in order to shed off those extra pounds. Regular exercise is essential for boosting your body’s overall health and functioning, as well as helping you to lose weight and keep it off long-term. Make sure that you get some sort of workout at least three times a week, and make sure that you move around a lot during the day, too. Studies have shown that simply sitting down for too long can increase your body’s fat storage, so make sure that you get up and move around often. Even a simple walk for 10 minutes can make a significant difference in helping you to shed off those extra pounds. Just avoid eating after your workout, as this could cause you to gain more weight than you would otherwise. Working out also helps to improve your mood, which in turn makes you feel less hungry, and less likely to reach for the quick-fix snack that could potentially lead to further weight gain. So moving around and getting active is a great way to start your day, and it’s an easy way to fit in some extra activity whenever you can.
Avoid The Junk Food Trap
It’s easy for snack food to sneak its way into your diet, especially if you work in an environment where people are trying to impress each other with amazing food pictures on social media. Having food contests where you’re trying to outdo each other with the tastiest, and most outrageous snacks is also another way that junk food gets into your diet. It’s important to remember that junk food is high in calories, and it’s important to stay aware of how many calories you’re taking in, so you can stay within your calorie limit. These two factors combined can make a massive difference in helping you to lose weight. Instead, focus on eating natural foods, which are low in calories and high in fiber, as well as drink plenty of water, which will help you to stay hydrated, and prevent you from gaining weight. Remember: less is more! You don’t need to go overboard and cut out every food group per se, but you should examine what you’re eating, and make healthier choices when you can. When it comes to food, less is more!
Eat When You’re Starving
In order to lose weight, you need to make sure that your body is in a state of starvation. This could simply mean that you skip a meal, or it could mean that you eat the right food at the right time, in the right quantity. There’s no set rule when it comes to this, you need to monitor what works best for you. If you’re finding it hard to lose weight, it could be because you’re not actually starving. You should try to eat when you’re actually hungry, and avoid eating if you’re not. Studies also show that people who regularly eat when they’re not physically hungry end up gaining more weight than those who obey the appetite rules, even though the latter group may eat less food.
Reduce Your Drink To Water
Water is important to keep hydrated, so make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, or pour yourself a fresh pitcher of water whenever you feel thirsty. If you feel like you’re not losing weight despite drinking enough water, it could be because you’re consuming more than necessary. While it’s important to stay hydrated, consuming large amounts of water can actually cause you to gain weight. This is because water occupies a notable place in your gut, where food digestion takes place, and sufficient water can actually hinder food digestion. Also, drinking too much water can leave you bloated, and this can put you in a state of discomfort, especially if you’re prone to bloating. So while it’s important to drink enough water, you should only drink to quench your thirst, and avoid consuming large amounts of fresh water, or bottled water, for example, if you’re an active person who needs to shed some pounds. Fizzy drinks, which are high in sugar but low in actual content, can also contribute to weight gain. So be careful about what kinds of drinks you’re having, and how much of them you’re having. If you’re not making the right food choices, and you’re not drinking enough fluids, you may find that you’re storing more water than you need, which could leave you heavy-headed and uncomfortable in the long-term. So try to reduce your drink intake to water, and check out these fizzy drinks to see how they compare with regular drinks when it comes to weight gain.
Eat More Plants
Plants are important for many reasons, one of which is that they provide you with nutrients that your body needs in order to function. Besides this, many plants have medicinal properties, and depending on which one you consume, you may experience various different effects. While it’s important to note that the effects can be both good and bad, and it’s important to be mindful about which kind of plant you consume and how much of it you have, studies show that some plants can help you to shed off those extra pounds, so be sure to try them out! Some examples of herbal plants that may help to boost your body’s metabolism, and thus aid you in losing weight, are cinnamon, cayenne, cloves, ginger, and apples.
Consume More Fruit
Many people eat healthier when they’re on a diet, and this generally means that they reduce the amount of fatty foods that they consume, but don’t necessarily cut out fruit. Although fruit does contain a lot of calories, when eaten in moderation it can be helpful to your overall health, as well as aid you in your quest for weight loss. This doesn’t mean that you need to go around gobbling down huge bowls of fruit every day, but it means that you should try to consume at least two servings per day, in order to get the benefits. This could mean that you have a small piece of fruit, or a few strawberries, or a handful of blueberries, as examples. The point is, fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, so make sure to consume as much of it as you can.
Consume More Vegetables
Another healthy dietary choice that people make is to increase the amount of vegetables that they consume. This can be a great way to shed those extra pounds as well. It’s important to note that not all vegetables are created equal, and you need to be careful about what kinds of vegetables you have and how often you have them, but overall it’s a healthy choice. Some examples of vegetables that are high in potassium, and thus may help to lower your blood pressure, are tomatoes, squash, and spinach.
Avoid Processed Food
Processed food contains a lot of calories, but it also contains a lot of other stuff that you don’t need. Things like refined sugar, wheat, and dairy all appear in large quantities in many processed foods, and while these ingredients don’t necessarily pose a threat to your health, the excessive consumption of these foods can certainly do so. This is why it’s better to buy healthier options when you’re at the supermarket, rather than relying on processed foods which are high in calories. Eating unprocessed food also prevents you from ingesting certain toxins which are found in abundance in many fast-food places. So if you’re looking for an easy way to lose weight, it’s important to avoid these toxins which can be found in processed food, and instead opt for fresh meats, fish, and vegetables.