You wake up one morning, and you’ve got bags under your eyes, a slight depression to your spirits, and you just don’t feel like yourself. You put on the clothes you normally wear every day, but something just doesn’t feel right. Suddenly, you’re longing for the days of your old self—the one who wasn’t burdened by extra pounds around her middle. Believe it or not, you’re in luck—there are ways to get your old slim self back without even leaving the house. All you need are the following nine tricks, which will help you get out of that fat prison housemaid’s outfit and back into a gorgeous dress or skirt.
1. Consume More Plants
There are two reasons why you should eat more plants: fiber and chlorophyll. The first one is pretty self-explanatory, but the latter is actually good for your skin. The stuff is loaded with antioxidants, which offer many health benefits. When you add these fruits and vegetables to your diet, you’re helping your body in the fight against free radicals. You’ll also notice that your skin looks a lot healthier, and you’ll notice an improvement in your mood. If you struggle with depression, the antioxidants will help eliminate that as well.
2. Take A Walk
You should take a walk at least once a day, if not more. It doesn’t have to be long—five to ten minutes will do. Walking is good for your health in many ways, but especially when it comes to weight loss. If you’re not sure where to start, take a walk around your neighborhood, and try to find a nice, natural environment with some trees and plants. If you live in a city, find a park and take a walk there. If you can, find a park that’s near a river, lake, or ocean, so you can feel the fresh air on your cheeks as you take a walk.
3. Don’t Forget About The Mirror
Every time you look in the mirror, you’ll notice something different. You’ll either like what you see or you won’t. If you don’t like what you see, you should do something about it—it may not be easy, but it’s certainly doable. One of the simplest and most effective ways to lose weight is to simply ignore the mirror. You don’t necessarily have to throw away your reflection in the mirror, but you should certainly try to avoid seeing it as much as possible. Ignore those extra pounds around your middle, and you’ll surely be delighted with the results. You’ll wonder why you waited so long to do something about it.
4. Watch What You Eat
Whenever you eat something, it’s there for a reason. If you feel like something’s missing from your menu, it probably is. There are certain food groups that make up the human body—fruits, vegetables, and nuts as the main ones—and you should focus on including those in your diet as often as possible. There are also some foods that make you fat, and you should avoid them, like chocolate and potato chips. Watch what you eat, and you’ll soon notice the pounds starting to disappear. Your waistline will also reflect the improvement in your mood and health.
5. Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day can help you lose weight, and it’s a good idea to drink lots of water even when you don’t feel thirsty. Some people even go so far as to drink a glass before each meal, and it has proven to be very effective for them. Try to drink at least 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outside—it will improve the texture and color of your skin, and it will also help you stay hydrated, which in turn can boost your metabolism. Staying hydrated is also a good way to prevent constipation, which sometimes leads to weight gain. Drinking enough water will also help keep your skin supple and in good shape.
6. Eat When You’re Hungry
When you’re hungry, you eat—there’s no question about that. The problem is that sometimes we eat when we’re not really hungry, leading to unnecessary weight gain. It’s always a good idea to read the menu before ordering so you know what you’ll get before you start eating. If you suspect that you might be eating because you’re feeling anxious or stressed, or if you just want something sweet, then try to wait until you’re actually hungry before consuming any food. Take your time reading menus and deciding what you want, and you’ll soon start to see the benefits. Feeling less anxious or stressed will also help you lose weight.
7. Get Active
If there’s one place you should be getting active, it’s work-related activities. We get so wrapped up in our routines and obligations that we forget about taking care of ourselves. That’s why it’s important to make a point to take a walk during your lunch break, or to get off work a bit earlier so you can run around the block a couple of times before your next meeting. When you get moving, your body will thank you by burning calories and increasing your metabolism. It’s a good idea to add some weight to your routine, so you’ll start to see the benefits soon enough.
8. Set A Timer
Most of us don’t like to eat when we’re not feeling hungry, so the idea of setting a timer to remind us when it’s time to eat can be very helpful. There’s also the option for a sound to go off, so you can be sure that you’ll hear it whenever it goes off. The timer method isn’t for everyone—some people like to eat when they’re not feeling hungry, so this option might not be for them—but it’s a good one to have around. When you set a timer for 30 minutes, it can be a good idea to eat something small so you won’t be tempted to go back for seconds.
9. Join A Gym
If you want to lose weight, then it’s time to join a gym. Working out in a gym is good for your health in many ways, but especially when it comes to weight loss. You’ll be surrounded by people who are also trying to lose weight, which will make you more motivated to work out and lose those last few pounds. Joining a gym is also a good way to meet people, who may become new friends and coworkers—and that’s always a good thing. It’s never easy to lose weight, but it’s a whole lot easier with the help of friends.
There are many different ways to lose weight, and they may not all work for you. However, even if some of these tips don’t seem to apply to you, maybe try another route—there’s often more than one way to reach our goal, and it’s worth finding the one that works best for you.