Let’s face it. We all worry about our weight from time to time. Around one-third of the earth’s population is obese or overweight. Weight-related illnesses are putting a huge strain on the health industry, More people than ever lose their life every year because they’re overweight.
But, dieting sucks. It’s boring, depressing and it rarely works. Deprivation isn’t the answer.
In fact, restricting your calorie intake and denying your favorite foods is probably the very worst way to lose or maintain weight. You’ll be much more likely to binge eat or develop an unhealthy relationship with food.
So, here are some surprising ways to lose weight. And here’s the best part. You might even enjoy them!
Get the Right Amount of Sleep
Too much sleep and you won’t burn enough calories. Too little sleep and your body won’t be able to regulate your metabolism. You need to get it just right.
How much sleep is enough? About 7 to 8 hours a night. It’s also a good idea to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Proper sleep will also help you to feel less hungry. When you’e sleepy, your appetite goes into overdrive. Your body compensates by craving sweets for an energy boost. And staying awake late night will encourage extra snacking. If you struggle to sleep, try some natural insomnia treatments at home or visit your GP.
Eat Breakfast
Don’t skip breakfast and save your allowance for later in the day. Remember, calories aren’t as important as macros. 2000 calories of sugar and bad fats are much worse for you than 2000 calories of complex carbs and lean proteins.
Breakfast will start your day right and kick-start your metabolism. And you’ll be much less likely to want an unhealthy snack later. Remember, a candy bar has around the same number of calories as a cup of unsweetened yogurt with berries. Which will keep you full for longer?
Enjoy Some Morning Sweet
So, we’ve established that breakfast is good. But, what about sweet breakfasts like muffins or pancakes? Ger ready for this one. Because they can be good too!
In a 2012 study, researchers at Tel Aviv University Medical Center found that dieters who ate a large breakfast that included a sweet treat lost 37 pounds more than those on an equal-calorie diet with a smaller breakfast. So indulge a little. As long as you keep it in moderation as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Cook
So many of us are busy and on the go. We don’t have time to cook, So we eat on the go or pre-packaged meals. We might look at the calories on the box, but we rarely take the time to look at anything else about what we’re ingesting.
Start making the time to cook. Research recipes, use fresh ingredients and have fun. You can eat more when you make healthy ingredient swaps. And you’ll always stay accountable for what you’ve consumed.
Eat Desserts
Deny yourself cake every day, and eventually, you’ll snap. You’ll start secret snacking or have huge binges. Especially if you see everyone else having cake. Instead, have a smaller portion. If you are out with your partner, share a small dessert like a cookie.
Get Up During Advertisements
Television advertisements are very clever. Advertisements for food stimulate the appetite control in your brain, which makes you feel hungry. Either fast-forward through them, switch the channel for a few minutes, or get some fresh air.
Shop on a Full Stomach
If you do your food shopping when you’re hungry, your self-control and rationalization skills will be lower. You’ll load your cart with a bunch of comfort foods, and skip the vegetable aisle altogether. Instead, shop after a big meal. And make sure to bring a detailed shopping list!
Break it Down
If you’ve got a big goal in mind, break it down. Don’t try to lose 10lbs, Try to lose 1lb, and do it 10 times. And congratulate yourself every time you hit your goal.
Ignore the Blips
Everyone has a bad food day occasionally. It’s absolutely fine. You haven’t let yourself down. You’ve just let go for a day. Don’t even try to make up for it be eating drastically less the day after. Just return to normal and carry on as nothing happened.
Listen to Upbeat Tunes
If you go to the gym, run or even walk while listening to music, fill your device with fun, upbeat tracks. You’ll find yourself increasing the speed of your movements to match the beat of the music. You’ll move more and work your muscles harder. Some apps and websites can help you to create the ideal work-out playlist.
Eat Slowly
Eating too fast confuses your body. Your brain doesn’t get the chance to tell your stomach that it’s full before you’ve eaten more than you need. Try eating with a smaller spoon or using chopsticks to give your brain a head start.
So there are 11 surprising tips for weight loss. Don’t waste all your energy counting calories. That just sucks the fun out of eating. Try incorporating these options and see if they’ll help fast forward you to your weight loss goals!
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photos courtesy of Unsplash
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