A few simple changes to your daily weight loss habits can make a huge difference! Weight loss isn't always the result of drastic dieting or intense exercise regimens; instead, it usually happens when you eliminate the "bad" from your diet and lifestyle and focus on the good. The changes below are simple and small, but they can be the most effective way to treat your day of dieting and healthy living right:
Eat When Hungry
The worst thing you can do is to eat when you're feeling a little "snacky" or you want something delicious to munch on. However, the best thing to do is to give your body what it needs when it tells you it needs it. When you feel your stomach growling for food, that's when it's time to eat. Avoid the cravings the rest of the time, and get busy doing things that will take your mind off your desire to eat. ONLY eat when you are actually hungry!Eat More Veggies
The more vegetables you eat, the faster you fill up—but
without filling up on calories. Veggies are loaded with dietary fiber, which
expands in your stomach as it absorbs water. When you eat a lot of veggies, you
fill up your stomach so much that you don't have room for empty carbs and
sugary foods. Plus, you've satisfied your hunger, so there's no need to keep
eating. Before you eat the meat and potatoes portion of your meal, have a huge
helping of veggies. In fact, double down and have a bowl of light veggie soup
and a plate of salad before tucking into your protein and carbs. You'll be far
less likely to overeat, and you'll end up consuming far fewer calories as a
result.
Drink More Water
Water is the key to weight loss! Your
body often sends signals that you are getting dehydrated, but your brain
interprets those signals as hunger instead of thirst. Thus, you end up eating
when you should have been drinking water instead. By making an effort to drink
more water, you avoid this problem completely. Your body will have enough
liquid so it won't need to send thirst signals. Any signals your body does send
to your brain will be interpreted correctly as hunger, and you can eat food
knowing that you're doing what your body wants.
Downsize Those Portions
If your goal is to lose weight, you should make it a point
to shrink your serving sizes. You only need about a fist-sized portion of meat
in order to get enough protein, and you need far less starchy carbs than you're
accustomed to eating. Make the conscious decision to downsize your portions of
proteins and carbs, but increase the size of your veggie portions. You'll still
end up feeling full at the end of the meal, but with far fewer calories—and
empty calories especially—floating around in your body.
