You’ve seen the commercials. Maybe you’ve been in them. Maybe you’ve watched them online. Those ubiquitous TV commercials showing fit, attractive people doing brilliant things that you could be doing too – if you just changed a few things about your routine. And, of course, there’s that other brand, the one that promises to reveal all your insecurities – what are they called? – the PINK ones.
Whether you’ve been convinced by a commercial or a pop-star’s Instagram, losing weight has become a priority for millions of people in the 21st century. It’s not hard to understand why. The rise of obesity followed by the obesity epidemic certainly didn’t help matters. In fact, it’s been estimated that by 2020, 37% of the UK’s population will be classified as obese. That’s 1 in 3 people.
While there are certainly environmental and genetic factors at play here, lifestyle and dietary habits also contribute to our weight gain. Specifically, what you eat and how much you eat. The UK Food Standards Agency states that processed foods and drinks are the main drivers of obesity. And, in the UK, the most common dietary villain is probably the chocolate bar. Yes, it’s probably time for a chocolate ban.
But, wait, that’s not all there is to say about losing weight! In case you’re curious, here are some more tips on how to lose weight quickly and easily.
Eat Smaller Meals
Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for good health. However, many of us consume far more than we need, simply because restaurant food is so easy to access and ordering food online is quick and convenient. So, if you’re finding that your body needs more energy to maintain itself, cutting down on the size of your meals can help. If you’re struggling with your weight and wondering if some minor diet changes could help, try switching to eating smaller, more frequent meals. This could mean having a snack as little as twice a day instead of three or four times a day. It’s all about personal preference but, generally speaking, smaller meals mean fewer calories and, therefore, less weight gain. According to studies, people who eat smaller meals and snacks frequently feel fuller faster than those who eat larger ones. So, while you may not lose as much weight as you’d like, your body may function more efficiently, which is something.
Reduce Your Daily Coffee Intake
This one might seem obvious, yet we hear so many stories of people who think they’re doing their body some favor by drinking lots of coffee. But, here’s the thing: too much coffee can actually be harmful to your weight loss efforts. The caffeine in coffee has been known to stimulate your central nervous system, which can increase your heart rate and energy levels. While this can be a good thing, if you’re looking to lose weight, consuming caffeine at the same time as you eat can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients from food. So, if you’re wondering if there’s any caffeine in your local Starbucks, let’s find out. According to the company’s website, the average size of a Starbucks coffee is 77 milliliters, or 3 inches high. So, if you’re drinking one every day, you’ll be taking in approximately 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Caffeine is a diuretic – meaning it makes you pee more – so you’ll be losing weight even if you don’t work out at all! But, if you really want to speed up your weight loss, reduce your daily coffee intake. Studies have also shown that caffeine increases your appetite, leading to over-eating. So, while you might experience a short-lived burst of energy when you drink coffee, the long-term effects are likely to be more negative than positive.
Consume More Water
Whether you’re from the UK or another country, chances are you’ll need to drink water to stay alive. And, as a general rule, the more water you drink, the more weight you’ll lose. This is because water helps your body function properly. It prevents you from becoming dehydrated, which, in turn, can lead to all sorts of problems. If you’re not drinking enough water, your body will try to make up for it by storing more fat. This is because fats are less water-soluble than carbohydrates and protein. So, while drinking more water might not seem like a convenient way to lose weight, it’s actually a fairly easy and quick way to do it. Simply drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and you’ll be on your way to healthier weight loss in no time. You might even lose enough weight to remove some of the pounds that make you so insecure about your appearance.
Skip The Booze
If you’re looking to shed some pounds, cutting back on the amount of alcohol you consume is a great way to start. Alcohol is certainly no good for your health. It contains high levels of sugar, which contribute to tooth decay and liver disorders. If you’re not already doing so, it might be time for you to consider cutting back on your alcohol intake. There are plenty of alcoholic drinks out there that are better for you than the watered-down tipple found in pubs and clubs. Instead, look towards natural sparkling wines, organic ciders, or even milk or cream to drink with your meals. There are many reasons why cutting back on your alcohol intake could be beneficial to your health. But, if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s certainly among the top options for things you could do to speed up the process.
Try An Emerging Trend: Body-Numbing Spray
Emerging as a trend but now widely-available is body-numbing spray. This is a quick and easy way to get high when you need it. It offers the same benefits as regular marijuana – the ability to become relaxed and focus better – but without the harmful effects of drug abuse. This type of spray can be found in convenience stores and online retailers and is a great option for those who want to experiment with marijuana-like effects without having to grow or purchase their own plants. It’s also a fantastic option for fitness instructors who want to get the most out of their students during class. Just spritz yourself before you start your workout routine and immediately afterward to reap the benefits of exercise while feeling less conscious of your body. Don’t expect to perform at your best if you regularly use these sorts of sprays. But, for those who want to lose weight, it’s a quick and easy way to make sure they don’t suffer from unwanted pounds gain when they want to shed them.
Eat Food That Isn’t Low In Energy
If you want to lose weight, you might find it helpful to avoid foods with a high glycemic index. This is a measurement that determines how quickly a given food turns into blood sugar in your body. Some examples of foods with a high glycemic index include white rice, potatoes, and pasta. Instead, opt for foods with a low glycemic index, such as beets, carrots, and broccoli. The glycemic load of a food determines how much energy it will have once it is digested. Foods with a high glycemic index will cause your body to release a higher amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that promotes nutrient storage in your body, leading to weight gain. Foods with a low glycemic index don’t necessarily nourish your body or provide your cells with essential nutrients, but they do tend to burn more calories once digested. So, while you might not lose any weight in the initial stages of your diet, you’ll be helping your body function more efficiently – a good thing. In fact, low-glycemic foods have been known to boost your body’s ability to combat insulin resistance, a condition that makes it harder for your body to use insulin effectively.
Avoid Foods With Added Sugar
This is perhaps the most important tip when it comes to losing weight. Added sugar in the form of fructose, glucose, or galactose – all forms of sugar – will cause your body to gain weight. Whether it’s a chocolate bar, a soft drink, or a dessert, if it contains added sugar, it will undoubtedly lead to weight gain. The sugar found in these foods isn’t metabolized in the same way as glucose found in fruit or table sugar. The fructose in foods, such as fresh fruit, also doesn’t get stored in the same manner as glucose. In short, eating too much sugar will lead to weight gain. If you really want to shed some pounds, avoid foods with added sugar.