With Stop The Insanity and all the weight loss information floating around, it is easy to get confused. Here is some helpful advice that can get you started with losing weight. While these are of course only a few suggestions, they should prove a good starting point.
To lose weight one should make a daily plan which includes exercise and a balanced diet. Planning ahead is key to success because there is less of a chance of giving in to temptation, or backing out of the an exercise routine. Once the plan is set, it is easier to stay on track by following it precisely.
Lose more weight by drinking your snacks. When you are having a craving, try to have some soup or a natural fruit smoothie. These foods will help you feel less full at meals, and will give you the calories you need to be able to make it through those midday cravings.
If you are looking to lose weight, you should start serving your meals on smaller plates. While this may seem like a trivial change that does not affect what you are eating, it has been proved that eating off of smaller dishes helps you control your portions more than you would if you were eating off of a larger plate.
Weighing yourself regularly, but not too often, is a good way to monitor and encourage weight loss. Do a weight “check in” once a week. This helps you know where you are at, and allows you to set goals for the next week, month, etc. Weighing in more than this might be discouraging since weight can fluctuate a few pounds from day to day, even if you are sticking to your diet.
A great way to lose weight is to keep yourself active so you do not think about food as much. When we are idle, the chance of thinking of food is higher. Staying busy can help you stay away from such behavior.
When you arrive at work, park your car as far away from the entrance door as possible. The calories burned by this extra walking every work day can really add up and help you lose weight faster. If you use public transport, get off the train or bus a stop before your destination and walk the extra distance.
To help with weight loss you should eat a lot of healthy salads. Buy greens that are already washed and bagged. Have fresh vegetables, like carrots and radishes, ready to add to your salad. A salad using these ingredients, and topped with a low-fat dressing, is quick to make and very filling.
Cut down on alcohol to lose weight. Alcohol contains a great many calories that are empty and useless. Drinking alcohol can also lead to bad food decisions.
A great weight loss tip to follow is to clearly separate hunger and thirst. Sometimes, you may think you are hungry when you are really just thirsty. Therefore, if you feel hungry, drink a glass of water instead and wait a few minutes or so to see if that was the problem.
Drink water before a meal. Water has no calories and is important in a healthy diet. A great way to get more water in your diet and simultaneously reduce the amount you eat is to drink one or two glasses of water before you sit down to a meal. You will eat less because your stomach is already partially full.
Water is one of the most important things to consume for weight loss. Water helps to reduce the toxins in your body, which can build up and lead to excess fat. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Cut down on calories. Foods that are high in fat add twice as many calories compared to complex carbohydrates or high protein foods. Remove fat from your diet, and avoid dairy and the use of oils. If you focus on high-fiber foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, you will feel full for longer, despite eating far fewer calories.
If you’re on a diet and are looking for something to replace those hours of TV you usually watch, try checking your local area for live music shows, theater shows and other entertainment opportunities. Instead of driving, make sure you walk there. And if you can’t walk there, at least park a few blocks away and actively finish your trip.
If you feel like you are craving something sweet, do not deny your cravings. There are many sweet things available to satisfy your cravings without them being unhealthy. Fruit is a great option for a sweet craving. If you crave something crunchy, try unsalted and butter-less popcorn instead of high-fat chips.
When you are attempting to shed some pounds, eat a variety of foods. If you eat only a few foods repeatedly, you’ll get tired off them and fall off the wagon. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, and realize you are still able to quite a variety of foods, but you can’t have them all at once.
Make vegetables a regular part of your diet by serving them at each lunch and dinner. Things like baby carrots and pea pods require little to no prep, so try to keep them on hand. Vegetables are nutrient-rich and light on calories, so filling up on these foods will keep you from eating too much in a day.
Idle hands are not a good thing, and this holds true for weight loss as well. Keep your hands and mind busy to ward off boredom. When bored, your mind tends to think of food, and you are more prone to emotional eating, so take up knitting or some other activity to keep your hands from reaching for that tempting brownie.
There is so much weight loss information that it all starts to get confusing. Don’t get too complicated with your weight loss attempts. It may derail your efforts in the long run. Then consult your doctor about a healthy and acceptable exercise program.
