If you’re reading this, then it only goes to show how many people hate the word “exercise.” But do understand that weight loss without exercise is like a cake without icing – it’s going to fall off eventually.
But to get you started, handling your daily consumption is the first step. You don’t need to follow through any diet programs. You just stick to these proven tips and incorporate them into your eating habits.
Drinking water before and after each meal helps cut down your consumption
By drinking water prior to any meal, you are taking up space in your stomach that would otherwise be filled by carbohydrates. You are also preparing your digestion and stomach for the meal ahead as doing so tends to put a rein on your appetite. Research has concluded that you can cut back 75-80 calories in each meal. This is why your hunger seems to dissipate after you drink a glass of water.
Drinking water after meal on the other hand, signals your brain that you have finished eating, thereby reducing your temptation to eat more. It also aids in your digestion as your liver will depend on the water to be able to break down the nutrients more effectively and convert fats into energy for later use.
Revel on each spoonful
You may have tons of things to do and so to save time, you eat while you are in front of your computer. Sometimes, you think that meal time is the only time you get to really sit back and relax so you make up for the time by watching TV. Doing so however, will confuse your brain and make you think that you haven’t eaten quite enough. To lose weight, you need to pay more attention to the quality of your food rather than the quantity. But if you are eating in front of TV, how can you have the time to pay attention to what you are eating? Your brain only thinks how much or how little is left on your plate. You owe it to yourself to eat without distraction. After all, it’s like you said – it’s your only time.
Eat slowly!
If you start being mindful of how you eat, you would notice a significant change in your appetite and weight if you take your time to eat. You may have heard this before but it takes 20 minutes for your brain to understand that you’ve been fed and satiated. Hence, if you keep stuffing yourself up while watching your favourite program, you go overboard.
Another suggestion is to use chopstick no matter what kind of food you are eating. It makes you eat slower, which forces you to really savor the taste of the food you’re eating.
The 50/50 principle
Since you don’t really want to be constrained to the concept of “dieting,” then there won’t be any concept of “cheat days.” The great thing about this is that you can eat whatever you want any day and you won’t have to submit yourself to any sacrifice. How? By eating only half of the food – half of the bag of chips, only a few strips of fries, 3 spoonful of cake, 2 small cracks of chocolate – you get the picture. This works because you are not being hard on yourself, and this can extend until you have become accustomed to this habit. Another great thing about this is that you save more because food stays longer in your shelf and fridge.
Remember balance
“All work no play, makes you a very dull person.”
Why do people need days off after 5 days of working? Why do you need to be street smart and not just book smart? Why are there good and evil people?
Balance.
If you are overweight right now, it means the amount of the food coming into your body versus the amount of fats being used up is out of balance. Don’t expect evil people to be good without them making an effort to change and help others. Similarly, don’t expect to keep your weight if you are not eating in moderation. Sometimes, to maintain balance in what you are eating, check if there is something out of balance in other areas of your life. Could it be that you are more stressed this week compared to last? Could it be that you are medicating your emotions through food?
You don't need to lose weight fast; what you need is what can keep the weight off permanently. You don't need to adhere to diet plans to lose weight; you just need to trust your instincts to choose the better food options for your health.
