If you’re looking for a simple and efficient way to lose weight, you’ve probably considered trying out a high-protein diet. We know: beans are extremely high in protein and fiber, and they fill our stomachs slowly, keeping us satisfied for longer. But what if we told you that there was another way of losing weight without having to cut down on the amount of food you eat? You’d probably think we were crazy, but it’s true! Try out these 10 easy steps to see how you can shed some pounds without having to sacrifice quality, taste, or texture in your daily diet.
Step one: Reduce the amount of carbohydrates you consume
Eating too many carbs (i.e. carbohydrates) leads to weight gain. It doesn’t matter if you consume grains, breads, pasta, or sweets: all of these foods are high in carbs. So if you’re looking to lose weight, cut back on the amount of carbs you consume. You’ll notice that your body will start shedding pounds without even trying! And you’ll feel healthier and sharper than ever before.
Step two: Consume healthier fats
Just because your body doesn’t need carbohydrates to function doesn’t mean that fats are off the hook when it comes to weight loss. Fats have gotten a bad rap over the past few decades, but this stigma needs to be put to rest. Fats are essential for many physiological functions, and they’re also high in calories. But the good news is that some fats are more suited to speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight more effectively than others. The most effective fats for weight loss are:
- Olive oil
- Avocado
- Salmon
- Sardine
- Chia Seeds
- Flaxseed
- Grapes – especially red grapes
- Chocolate
- Walnut
- Almonds
Reducing your intake of unhealthy fats will help you lose weight. And the best part is that these fats offer health benefits as well. So it’s not like you’re giving up any quality food when you eliminate them!
Step three: Reduce the amount of sugar you consume
If you’re looking to lose weight, you’re probably already cutting back on the amount of sugar you consume. This is a common mistake that people make when they diet: they think that all calories are created equal, and since carbs and sugars are both carbohydrates, they’ll have the same effect on our waistlines. But they don’t. While sugar is high in calories, it doesn’t supply our bodies with nutrients. Hence why you’re probably already cutting back on the amount of sugar you consume; you don’t want to deprive your body of nutrients!
You should be conscious of what kinds of sugars you’re consuming. The bad news is that there are lots of different sorts of sugars out there, and the good news is that most of them are not suitable for weight loss. Instead, you should focus on reducing the amount of added sugars you consume, whether they come from candies, soft drinks, or cookies. You should also be aware that there are some natural sugars which our bodies need in small amounts, such as the sugars found in fruit. But don’t overdo it.
A few helpful hints for reducing the amount of sugar you consume:
- Buy sugar-free candy
- Look for sugar alternatives in your beverage of choice (i.e. replace brown sugar with artificial sweeteners in your coffee or replace regular sugar with splenda in your tea)
- Choose healthier fats
- Eat more veggies
- Avoid processed foods
- Cut back on the amount of rice you eat
- Reduce the amount of wheat you eat
- Replace white flour with whole wheat flour
- Reduce the amount of pasta you eat
These suggestions aren’t just limited to helping you lose weight: they can also help improve the way your body functions. For example, if you’re looking to improve your skin, you should opt for olive oil over other fats since it’s known to be good for our health and prevents our skin from becoming brittle. Eating healthier fats also improves our cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. So if you’re looking to reduce your risk of heart disease, you should focus on cutting back on the amount of fats and sugars you consume.
Step four: Consume natural supplements
Sometimes, people need a little extra help when trying to lose weight. And who are we to say no? Natural supplements help your body to maintain a healthy balance, and they also help with the process of shedding pounds. The best part is that most of these supplements are suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dietary restrictions. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our list of the best vegan supplements for weight loss below.
Step five: Consume more water
Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day can help you lose weight. This is because water helps to maintain a healthy body hydration level, which in turn helps to regulate your appetite. Plus, staying well-hydrated can also help with the process of digestion. As a general rule of thumb, you should drink at least 16 ounces of water for every hour that you spend outside. So if you spend two hours outside, drink 32 ounces of water to stay hydrated! You might also consider investing in a water bottle that has a built-in hydration feature so that you can easily stay hydrated wherever you go.
Step six: Replace your coffee with a cup of green tea
According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, individuals who drank at least five cups of green tea per day reduced their body weight by an average of five pounds over a period of four months. And what’s interesting is that the study also revealed that the green tea group reported feeling significantly greater satiety than the group who remained on their usual diet. So, if you’re looking for a way to curb your appetite without having to count calories, try out green tea! Many individuals also prefer to drink green tea when it’s hot, so if you live in a place that gets cold winters, drinking hot tea might encourage you to stay indoors where it’s warmed by the fireplace or heater (think Florida!). But regardless of the temperature, drinking green tea is always a good idea since it helps to maintain a healthy weight!
Step seven: Have Fun!
Above all else, remember to have fun while you’re on your journey to lose weight. You’re on a diet because you want to lose weight; you shouldn’t let the process become overly stressful. If you want to lose weight without having to alter the way you eat, consider how much fun you’re having as you undertake this journey. Make a resolution to lose weight, and then make a plan to achieve this goal. While you’re on your way to becoming healthier, you might also inspire others to join you on this adventure!
Step eight: Try a Few New Things
If you’ve been on a diet for a while and you’ve reached your goal weight, it’s time to branch out and try a few new things. If you’ve followed our guidelines and taken our advice, you’ll most likely notice that we’re not exactly advocates of dieting. But sometimes, changing up the way we eat is the key to maintaining a healthy weight. When we say try a few new things, we mean it. If you’re not sure where to start, experiment with different foods and different beverages: you might discover that something is amiss! For example, if you’ve noticed that your diet drinks aren’t helping you to lose weight, then it might be time to try another type of drink. Or if you’ve tried eating broccoli and liked the way it made you feel, why not try out another vegetable? We’re not saying throw away your current dietary preferences; we’re simply suggesting that if you’re not seeing the results you want, it might be time to try something new. We’re sure that you’ll soon discover what works best for you, your body, and your weight loss goals!