Being overweight is a major health issue in the western world, and it’s not getting any better. Prevalence of obesity is increasing year after year, and so is the number of people who suffer from depression and anxiety due to their weight.
Many people believe that gaining healthy weight is impossible, and that the only way to lose it is through unhealthy methods, like starvation or excessive exercise. While there is some truth to this (i.e., you can’t burn off extra kg by skipping meals or going on endless hikes), there are other options that don’t involve toughing it out. In particular, there’s a simple and healthy way to lose weight without having to give up food—you just have to know how.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
Start A Food Diary
The first step to losing weight is to record what you eat. If you want to go on a diet, you’re going to have to track what you’ve eaten for a week or so, so that you can figure out where the extra calories come from. In order to lose weight healthily, you need to keep your eye on the number of calories you consume, rather than the amount of fat or protein you put on your plate.
The easiest way to track calories is by keeping a food diary. If you want to lose weight, you should try and make it as accurate as possible. This means taking into account everything from what you’ve eaten, to what clothes you’ve worn, so that you can figure out the exact number of calories you need to cut back on. If you want to lose weight, start a food diary now! There’s no point in waiting until you’re already half-way to your goal, when you’ll just have to start all over again.
Reduce Stress
Stress affects everyone differently. For some people, it causes them to eat more and gain weight; for others, it makes them feel hungry and leads to them eating less. There’s no right or wrong here—it’s all about your personal experience. What is important though, is that you try and reduce your stress levels as much as possible. This means getting rid of things that cause you stress and anxiety, like dirty dishes or unanswered emails—and it also means spending more time with family and friends, and less time in front of the TV or your laptop. Your mental health is important, and so is your physical health—you can’t be at your best if you’re not at your healthy weight, and you can’t be at your healthy weight if you’re not feeling your best. Eat well, reduce your stress levels and you’ll be on your way to a happier and healthier life.
Skip The Booze, Take More Water
Alcohol has calories—a lot of them, in fact. While it may be convenient to grab a drink now and then, especially if you’re out and about, it’s important to remember that alcohol is really a calorie-dense beverage. If you want to lose weight, you should try and cut back on your alcohol intake—even a small amount leads to extra calories and unwanted weight gain. Instead of having a drink now and then, why not have a bottle of water on hand, or even a can? If you feel like you’re not drinking enough fluids, have another bottle of water or a can of soda to drink. Remember—you’re trying to lose weight, not gain it. So while you may enjoy a drink now and then, make sure that it’s a healthy one.
Avoid Cravings By Changing Your Mindset
Different people have different methods for losing weight. Some people prefer to cut back on the food that makes them fat, while others prefer to cut back on the activity that makes them fat. What is important is that you find a method that works for you, and sticks with you. The best way to do this is by changing your mindset. Instead of seeing food as something bad, you should try and see it as fuel for your body. What happens is that when you deprive your body of food, it starts to crave it. So instead of seeing food as a bad thing, you should try and see it as something that helps you achieve your goals. One example of this would be giving yourself a treat if you’ve been working out regularly; alternatively, you could have a small snack if you’ve kept to your food diary—seeing food as fuel will help you keep your eye on the numbers, rather than the bowl or plate in front of you.
Eat What You Want, When You Want It
It is very easy to get distracted by the food available, especially when you’re dieting. The idea is to lose weight, not to starve yourself, so it’s important that you don’t give in to the temptations that the kitchen presents you with. What you should do instead is eat what you want, when you want it. This will help you avoid falling off the wagon, and sticking with your diet. Make a list of the foods you miss most while on a diet—whether it’s pizza, chocolate, or ice cream, it probably is something that you miss. When you get one of these foods, it should be something light and healthy that won’t sabotage your diet. If you are feeling hungry, have some veggies or a piece of fruit—but make sure that it’s something that you need, rather than just something that you want. If you want to lose weight, cut back on the foods that make you fat, replace them with foods that will help you stay slim.
Eating healthy foods will also ensure that you remain physically active—it’s important that you don’t cut out entire food groups, as this could potentially cause serious health problems for you. You should aim instead for a balanced diet, that provides you with all the nutrients you need. If you want to lose weight, eat nutritious food, and you’ll be on your way to a slimmer and healthier you.
There are many ways to lose weight without having to starve yourself or exercise excessively. By paying attention to what you eat and by reducing your stress levels, you’ll be able to shed that extra kg that you don’t need. And when you’re feeling better and healthier, you’ll be able to indulge in foods that you miss while on a diet—rather than depriving yourself, you’ll be able to eat what you want, when you want it, and not feel guilty about it. So don’t be afraid to try out some of the suggestions that follow. They may seem a little bit unorthodox, but if they help you lose weight, they’re worth trying out.