The summer is upon us, which means one thing: bikini season is just around the corner! If you’re serious about losing weight and want to get into shape for summer, here are some tips from experts on what you should eat and how much you should lose.
EAT MORE FOOD IN GENERAL
If you’re eating healthy, portion-controlled meals, you may not feel hungry all day long. That’s great because you’ll be less likely to snack mindlessly. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, and nuts to keep your metabolism elevated. Avoid foods with added sugar, which tend to be highly processed and filled with empty calories. If you want to shed those last few pounds, eat food that fuels your body, not feeds it.
In the same way a car needs gas to run, your body needs calories to function. Eat the right food at the right time in the right portion to ensure you get the results you want for summer. It’s okay to enjoy some food now and then, but if you’re looking for sustainable weight loss, it’s important to eat regularly.
DRINK MORE WATER
Drinking at least 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outside helps your body stay cool. Staying hydrated is also essential for keeping your weight in check. It may seem easy enough to drink 8 glasses of water per day, but a lot of us don’t feel like we’re getting the results we want. If you’re serious about losing weight, drink water accordingly and you’ll see positive changes for summer.
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF YOU TRAVEL
You may have heard of the weight-loss potential of air travel. Due to decreased appetite and activity levels, the body uses up more calories while traveling. To avoid gaining weight, you should aim to reduce the amount of air travel you do. Flying less will help you lose weight and still enjoy life’s luxuries.
EAT MORE FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of both fiber and volume. This will help you feel fuller longer, preventing unnecessary weight gain. Some other foods that are excellent for boosting your metabolism and slimming down include salmon, sardines, and anchovies. These foods are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help the body metabolize lipids more efficiently. Omega-3s are also crucial for brain function, so eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential for peak mental performance.
Avoid foods with added sugar, as they typically contain lots of calories and don’t provide many nutrients. Instead, choose natural sugars such as those found in fruit and vegetables. The added sugar usually comes from processed foods, which are high in calories and low in fiber.
USE PRECAUTIONS WHEN EATING OUT
Dining out should always be a cautious endeavor. Since you aren’t used to eating foods from a different country or restaurant, you may be prone to getting sick. Make sure that you’re not eating anything that is potentially dangerous, and use your best judgment when deciding what food is safe to eat. Educate yourself on the risks associated with food from other countries or restaurants that you’ve never been to before. If possible, bring your own food to eat in quarantine so that you don’t have to risk consuming something that might make you sick. If you want to lose weight, eat out cautiously and make sure that you’re not adding any unhealthy fats or refined sugars to the foods you eat.
DON’T NEGLECT THE TAKE-OUT MENU
Most of us are not used to eating healthy, so it might seem difficult to resist unhealthy foods when presented with certain tasty take-out options. If you want to lose weight, it’s important not to feel bad about eating take-out occasionally. Instead of being satisfied by one meal, have a few bites of something unhealthy and see how your body reacts. You may not like how you feel after eating a pizza or a burger, but it’s important to recognize that those foods are bad for you and you shouldn’t feel bad about avoiding them. These foods are high in fat and sodium, both of which cause your body to hold on to more water. That’s why it’s important to keep your body active and engaged in healthy pursuits.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. There are thousands of foods out there that are good for you. Keep your body active by taking regular walks, going to the gym, or playing sports. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to maintain a healthy weight once you get used to it.