Losing weight isn’t about going on a short-term “diet” and then forgetting everything you’ve learned during the process. In order to lose those extra pounds and then keep them off, you need to make some permanent lifestyle changes. This article contains some advice on what changes you should make to help you lose that weight.
Drinking green tea several times a day can help you lose weight. In order to have the best effect, drink green tea at least four times a day. Not only does this “super tea” boost your immune system, it also boosts your metabolism and the rate that your body burns calories.
A great way to help you lose weight is to share a meal with someone whenever you eat out. By sharing a meal, you and that person will be consuming less calories than you normally would. Sharing a meal will also leave you with some money in your pocket.
If your having trouble sticking to your diet, give yourself a day off once a week. When you start feeling deprived, you may find your resolve slipping. Relieve that pressure by planning a “free” day once a week. This will help you to stick to your plan on the other days, and you will likely find that you do not overeat as much as you think you will on your day off.
Slow down to lose weight. Studies have shown that eating your meals at a slower pace makes you eat less. When you eat slow you feel full with less food. You should use mealtime as family time, when you are chatting up your family, you can’t have a fork in your mouth.
One way to lose weight is to simply stay away from your trigger foods. Most of us have foods that we cannot stop eating once we start. Remove these dangerous items from your home and only eat them now and then. Better yet, eat them when you are around other people, so that you are not tempted to overindulge.
If you’re having a hard time losing weight, see a doctor. There may be health reasons that make it harder for you to lose weight than other people. Some health conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, insulin resistance, and thyroid disease make it more difficult for someone to lose weight.
Before attending a holiday party or dinner, ask the hostess to share the menu with you. Once you find out what is being served, you can decide in advance what you will eat. Draw a plate on a piece of paper and portion it out. Seeing it on paper will make you feel committed to those portions while at the dinner. The less you have to make spur of the moment decisions, the more likely you are to stick to your eating plan.
Eat lots of snacks to lose weight. To lose weight without being hungry, eat many small meals throughout the day instead of two or three large ones. Eating every three hours or so ensures you are never far from your next healthy meal; making it easier to resist the temptation of an unhealthy but easy-to-grab snack such as a bag of chips or a candy bar.
Keeping a journal or a diary is a great way to keep track of your diet. Some of the benefits of writing things down include: knowing what you like to eat, knowing which foods are not working for you, and looking back periodically to see how far you’ve traveled on this weight-loss journey.
Part of sticking to a good diet program is actually having the feeling of fullness. If you eat healthy but remain hungry, you may just break your diet. A good tip here is to eat a lot of healthy soups and stews. The liquid contained within, usually water, is very filling and very healthy. A big bowl of soup can fill you up and contains fewer calories than a very small meal.
Calories that we do not use won’t just suddenly disappear from our bodies; they’re stored as fat. If you’re not going to get much activity one day, it’s wise to not eat too much. Try to eat you meals before an activity instead of after. Thus, all calories ingested can be quickly burned.
Drink water on a regular basis. People sometimes ignore how important water is to losing weight. Water is important for hydration and digestion. Without water, you will keep your weight and possibly even become ill. The body is 70% water and water is a very basic element of the human form.
Make sure you’re getting adequate amounts of sleep. Sleep deprivation can change your hormones in ways that make you feel hungrier than you would otherwise. You’ll need rest to recover properly from any exercise routine you’re following. Additionally, if you’re tired you may feel more tempted by coffee or caffeinated sodas, which you may be trying to cut from your diet.
Consistency in exercise is sure to prove crucial in any dedicated weight-loss plan. While it may be possible to lose weight by simply decreasing your calorie intake and eating healthier, more nutritious food, you cannot increase your metabolism or build fat-consuming muscle without exercise. Daily exercise–even a short walk–will boost the amount of calories you burn.
When you go to a restaurant, opt for healthier options while still treating yourself. If you really want some buffalo chicken wings, skip the blue cheese dip and fries. Instead, eat them bare and get a nice chef salad with an oil and vinegar dressing. You’ll feel like you had a treat, AND you’ll have no guilt afterward!
As was stated above, weight loss is a matter of making lifestyle changes, not short-term ones. Knowing what changes to make is half the battle; the rest is up to you. Apply some of the tips from this article and you will be on track to a healthier, happier you.
