If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past few years it’s that celebrity fad diets don’t provide long-term solutions for weight loss. While it’s great to aim for a sparkling figure in the mirror, the fact is you’ll be back for more once you’ve reached your goal weight. To ensure you lose the right amount of weight and keep it off you need to take a long-term approach that involves maintaining a healthy diet whilst also seeking support when necessary.
Here are the steps to help you on your way to losing weight slowly and steadily.
Step away from fast food
We’re conditioned to think that a meal ready in ten minutes is the ideal way to eat, but real food takes time to prepare. If you’ve turned to fast food to save time or because you don’t have the patience to cook a complex meal, you’re wasting your time and harming your health. It’s the simple act of cooking a healthy, homemade meal that will help you shed those extra pounds instead of consuming pre-prepared food that will hinder your progress. Homemade food is often cheaper and has fewer additives and preservatives than pre-prepared food so there’s no reason to deprive yourself of those tasty bites just because you’re trying to lose weight.
Eating only when you’re hungry
Eating when you’re not even hungry is often a root cause of weight gain. We’ve all been there. We’ve seen our friends post on social media about how much their puppy loves peanut butter. We’ve heard about how much our coworker’s baby likes butter. It’s easy for these sorts of scenarios to cause us to reach for food when we’re not even remotely hungry. To avoid this from happening to you, try to wait at least an hour after your last meal before eating again. This can help your body restore its natural rhythms and regulate appetite so when the time comes to eat you’ll be better prepared to make the right decision. Making the decision to eat something healthy and balanced when you’re not actually hungry is a major step towards sustainable weight loss.
Eat lots of vegetables
Most of us eat too few vegetables. It’s estimated that the average person consumes only two servings of vegetables a day, which isn’t enough to give your body sufficient nutrients to function properly. Eating lots of vegetables will help you achieve your weight loss goals because they are low in calories and high in fiber. Plus, eating vegetables helps you get the nutrients you need to stay healthy. For best results, try to eat the vegetables raw or lightly steamed. If you prepare them more thoroughly you’ll end up consuming more calories and losing any health benefits. If you prepare food outside of the home, make sure to include a healthy meal option in your packing list. You’ll be relieved to find something you can eat when you’re traveling, but you don’t want to consume food that’s bad for you. Include some vegetables in your diet to ensure you don’t end up in a situation where you’re lacking vital nutrients.
Cut back on the alcohol
There’s no need to pile on the pounds due to alcohol. Wine is a wonderful food that provides many health benefits. It’s also a drink that many people abuse. If you’re going to drink, go for the healthier options that are available, such as white wine. Having one glass of wine with your dinner won’t hurt you, but having three or four glasses every day is probably not a good idea. Studies have shown that alcohol can increase your appetite and cause you to eat more food than usual, which, in turn, can lead to weight gain. If you want to drink, have one or two beers with your meal instead of the usual glass or two of wine. You’ll be doing your health a favor and it won’t even taste like you’re drinking alcohol!
Reduce stress
Too much stress can cause you to overeat. The hormone cortisol is the root of all evil when it comes to weight gain. When you’re under too much stress, your body will produce extra cortisol, which makes you want to eat. If you want to lose weight, reduce the stress in your life as much as possible. Take breaks when you need them, deal with your problems head-on and try to find the positive in any situation. Feeling that you can’t control your weight gain is a major source of stress. You can take steps to ensure that you lose the weight you want to, you just have to be willing to commit to the process and be persistent.
Consume natural foods
It’s important to feed your body with natural, healthy foods as much as possible. Avoid foods with added sugar, you’ll end up with a lot of calories you don’t need and never see the weight loss you’re aiming for. There are plenty of natural foods that are high in fiber, antioxidants and essential nutrients so you can consume them to boost your health and achieve your weight loss goals. If you want to lose weight, cut back on the foods with added sugar, especially those with high fructose corn syrup, and replace them with natural foods.
Eradicate junk food from your home
If you want to lose weight, it’s important to rid your home of junk food. You don’t need the extra calories that processed foods provide so it’s best to avoid them. You can start by eliminating the soda and going for water instead. There are plenty of different flavors available so you’re sure to find one that your taste buds enjoy. When you consume processed foods, they aren’t easily digested by your body and this can cause you to gain weight even if you eat moderately. To avoid this, stay away from junk food and nourish your body with the food it needs to function properly.
Use diet pills and supplements
Many people want to achieve rapid weight loss and jump on a diet pill that will help them shrink their waistline in a matter of days. While there are diet pills that can assist you in losing weight, there are also many side effects that you need to consider before taking them. If you’re searching for a way to lose weight, try to avoid diet pills as much as possible and take them only when necessary. There are also many weight loss supplements with minimal side effects that can boost your body’s natural processes and provide you with the nutrients you need to reach your goals.
Consume more natural food
This is a crucial step towards sustainable weight loss, especially if you want to keep the pounds off for good. Eating natural foods will increase the fiber in your diet and give you healthy carbohydrates that will help you avoid rapid weight gain. If you truly want to lose weight, don’t be afraid to embrace a healthier lifestyle and eat more natural food. You’ll be doing your body a favor and it won’t even feel like you’re on a diet. Eating natural food is also a good option for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia as it reduces the need to regulate blood sugar and ensures you receive the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Cutting back on the foods you enjoy most and sticking to the healthy food options available will help you shed those extra pounds. Eating natural foods will boost your health and give you the energy to live life to the fullest. Cut back on the foods with added sugar and replace them with healthier choices like vegetables, fruits and whole grains to achieve sustainable results that will last you a lifetime.