Twenty Something Contributed ContentAll of us have been there before. We want to lose weight, but we just don’t know where to start or how to do it in a healthy way. In this article, you will find helpful information that will help you realize why feeling good and losing weight go hand-in-hand. So if you are ready to feel better and look your best, keep reading!
1.) Exercise
When it comes to losing weight, exercise should always play an important role. As long as you are eating healthy food during the day, these two things alone can often help you see great results. However, if you want to feel even better or lose more weight, then exercising every day is the best thing that you can do for yourself. This can involve anything from working out at home with DVDs or taking up activities like running or playing soccer with friends so that you burn up those calories so quickly!
It is also helpful to find a workout partner. It is good to find someone like a personal trainer who can hold you accountable for working out. Celebrity Personal Trainer Lucas James advises finding a personal trainer that matches or complements your personality. Communication and seamless coordination are key factors for a successful training program that you and your personal trainer are working on. Even if you can’t get a personal trainer, having someone cheer you on or challenge you to push harder can make it easier to get in the habit of exercising. Plus, when you have a friend who is trying to lose weight with you, then there are many positive effects like feeling more energized throughout the day and having someone there to celebrate your successes with.
2.) Don’t Skip Meals
This is the number one piece of advice when thinking about what it takes to lose weight in a healthy manner. If you skip meals, especially breakfast, then your metabolism will slow down and burn calories at a much slower rate. Not only that but by skipping meals, you can often crave more food later on in the day. This can lead you to overeat or give in to cravings that are not good for you at all. So instead of skipping meals, eat smaller portions of healthy food throughout the day so that your metabolism does not suffer and you have enough energy to get through the day.
3.) Set a Weight Loss Target and Hit It
Weight loss is measured by how many pounds per week one wants to lose. To figure out what your target rate should be, simply multiply your current weight by 10 pounds if this is how much weight you want to lose within a month, by 7 pounds for every two weeks, and 5 pounds for every three weeks before setting a time limit on when you want it gone. Once you know what your target weight is, then you can set a goal for yourself that will be much more realistic and not as hard to achieve.
4.) Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated should be done throughout the entire day. Drinking water is one of the easiest and most effective things that we can do for our bodies. For starters, it helps keep us hydrated and makes sure that we are well-nourished instead of having those hungry cravings all day long. But it also flushes out toxins, puts less stress on our liver which might help speed up weight loss results, and keeps your skin looking healthier as well as making you feel more energized.
Even if you only drink a glass of water with each meal, this can help your metabolism to burn more calories faster and even curb cravings for unhealthy food. So whether it is by drinking water throughout the day or making sure that every glass of water is filled to the very top, make sure to stay hydrated so that your body can function normally. In addition, less craving and increased metabolism from drinking water help you shed weight without much effort.
5.) Cut Down on Junk Food
While it might be hard to cut down on candy or junk food, if you want to feel good about yourself and lose weight in a healthy manner, then giving up foods like this is something that will most likely have a positive effect. Of course, there are times when everyone has their favorite comfort foods, but the fewer processed foods that you eat, the better you will feel and the faster your metabolism will run.
6.) Quit Smoking
Those who are trying to lose weight often try not to focus on smoking or secondhand smoke because it is something that does not seem like it is related. However, when you stop smoking, there are many benefits like feeling healthier and having more energy throughout the day. There are also many dangers in secondhand smoke that can lead to health problems in the future so quitting is definitely recommended. Once you quit smoking, then you can think about losing weight if this has been a problem for you as well.
Remember, there are multiple tools you can use to help you quit if going cold turkey isn’t for you, from using smoking cessation therapists, patches, gum, and even switching to vaping using non-tobacco vape liquids. Perseverance, building new habits, and focusing on the goal will help you on your journey to stop smoking.
7.) Eat Slowly and Use Smaller Plates
If you eat too quickly, then your brain might not get enough time to let your body know when it is full. If you eat slowly, then it can be easier to realize when you are feeling satisfied and stop eating before overeating. Eating slowly is a practice of mindful eating that involves putting your fork down between bites or taking time to chew each bite thoroughly, and making sure that you take enough time to feel comfortable while eating so that you do not get tempted by other thoughts like watching TV or checking your phone. Plus, you get to savor the different tastes in your mouth and enjoy your meals.
If you think about it, using smaller plates will allow you to put the same amount of food on there but just in a more compact area. So instead of thinking that just because your plate is small means that you should fill it up with less, think about filling up half of the plate with proteins and the other half with vegetables or a healthy carbohydrate like brown rice. If you try filling up your plate to be fuller, then it can help decrease cravings for unhealthy food and even give you more energy throughout the day.
8.) Avoid Stress
When we feel stressed out, our body releases hormones that cause us to crave things like sugar and carbs so we can feel better. But if we eat these foods when under stress, then it will trigger feelings of anxiety that might make us want to go through the cabinets looking for something else to eat that is unhealthy. Of course, there are ways to avoid this such as taking a walk, meditating, or simply talking about what is bothering you with someone else who cares.
These are all useful tips that can help you feel energized and have more motivation throughout the day so that you can get in the habit of exercising regularly while also losing weight at a healthy pace. There is no one-size-fits-all program, so feel free to customize your fitness program to fit your lifestyle. While many would say “no pain, no gain” when it comes to getting fit, it doesn’t mean feeling good and losing weight can’t go together. Enjoy every moment of your fitness journey!