One of the more popular resolutions for the New Year is to try to have weight loss. Many of us, however, struggle with how to achieve this goal, and without some research and a clearcut plan, it can often feel like we’re blindly stumbling around in the dark.
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.
One easy way to consume less calories and lose more weight, is to make it a point to leave a portion of your food, uneaten, at each meal. It doesn’t matter what it is or how much you leave there. The point is, to allow you to realize that you still feel full, even with a little less to eat.
To eat better, you should avoid skipping meals. Many are disillusioned with the thought of skipping meals making them thinner; however, it is going to cause your body to store fat instead of burning it. Even if you aren’t ravenous, try to eat three healthy meals each day.
Clean your teeth late at night! It may sound strange, but if you clean your teeth just before you go to bed, that sneaky midnight snack that will pile on the weight may not be as tempting. By cleaning your teeth, subconsciously you are telling your body that you have finished eating for the day.
When eating protein, some people like a more flavorful choice. Instead of adding sour cream or some other creamy sauce, put some salsa or chutney on your protein. This will bring a huge kick to your flavor, without adding extra fat and calories that you really do not need.
A great trick if you are not seeing any changes, it to take a picture of yourself. Do this once a week, and after about 4 or 5 weeks look at the first one and the last one, Chances are you will start to notice a small change in your body.
Weight loss can be enhanced when you ensure there is variety within your food choices. Repetition will lead to boredom easily when you are constantly consuming the same things day after day. Maintain a balanced diet in all of your efforts, and, as a reminder, don’t forget that you can still enjoy your favorite foods. Just approach them in moderation.
Even if a food label seems like it says that something is very low in fat, keep your eye on the amount of trans fat that is in the product as well. These are worse for the body than regular fats and they are found in many different products.
If you’re going to be eating out, think about a Chinese or Japanese restaurant first. Asian food can be great for people who are trying to loose weight. The focus on vegetables, rice, and stir-fry dishes is great for low-fat diets, and there are few high-fat items to avoid.
Many of us have a tendency to eat too quickly. One ought to eat slowly. This is actually important to keep in mind. When you eat your brain sends a message to your stomach to tell it it is full. If you are eating too quickly, the brain gets the message after you have eaten far beyond what was necessary.
Invest in a digital scale to keep track of your weight loss. Analog scales can be hard to read and unreliable as every time you move, they move! A digital scale will take your weight while you’re looking straight ahead, giving you an accurate reading and allowing you a few seconds to step off the scale to view the number it reads.
One of the best ways to lose weight is not to force yourself to remove foods from your diet, but rather to add healthy foods to your diet. By adding healthy foods to your diet, you will naturally remove other foods that may be contributing to your weight. Over time, as you begin to eat healthier, you will notice improvements in your weight loss!
One of the best lean proteins you can consume if you are looking to lose weight is natural chicken. An ideal portion is 4 ounces which is the equivalent to the palm of your hand. Chicken is lean, versatile and easily converted into energy making it a great food for your diet.
To enhance your weight loss efforts, you should try keeping a diary. By maintaining a journal, you can pinpoint triggers for emotional eating and overeating. To keep a weight loss diary, simply record what you eat and what you are thinking or feeling at the time, for example, whether you are feeling stressed or tired.
To heighten awareness of your daily caloric consumption, try keeping a diary that catalogs the foods you eat. If you write down what you eat, it will be easier to see what mistakes you are making that are hindering your weight loss efforts. Having a diary that keeps you aware of what you eat will help you keep your calorie intake down.
When you are at work and need a snack for that 15-minute break, do you turn to vending machines for a quick fix? This is a bad choice, because vending machines rarely have any healthy snacks to offer. Instead, they tempt you with candy, chips and other diet no-no’s. Try to avoid this trap and bring some healthy fruit or low-fat granola bars to keep in your desk.
If one of your goals for the new year is to lose weight, then you are off to an excellent start! This article has taught you some great ways to lose weight and keep it off so you can be in better health. We hope that you are successful!
