There are literally thousands of diets to choose from, but you know what? Diets don’t work for the long-term. Diets are really short-term solutions. Then, when you stop the diet, your body gains back the weight. That’s why you need to focus on lifestyle changes to help you boost weight loss.
Lifestyle changes are long-term and result in weight loss that lasts permanently. The following are five effortless ways to help you lose weight naturally and make those lifestyle changes.
1. Drink More Water
It’s really that simple. When you drink more water, your body is better able to clear out waste. Not only that but switching some of your drinks to water can massively cut calories. Another reason water boosts weight loss is that dehydration can be mistaken for hunger, which leads to overeating.
A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight by two to determine the minimum number of ounces of water your body needs daily. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you need 75 ounces of water.
Another great tip is to drink a full glass of water before you eat any meal. This will not only help you stay hydrated but also helps to curb overeating.
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2. Get More Sleep
It was recently discovered that getting more sleep reduced a person’s calorie intake by 400 calories. Over the course of a year, that’s 40 pounds. Women need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Suppose you’re not getting that each night; you may be eating more. If you’re unsure how much sleep you’re getting, invest in a fitness tracker that tracks your sleep.
3. Eat More Vegetables
This tip is foolproof. If you eat more vegetables, you will lose weight. The trick is eating vegetables that aren’t considered complex carbs, such as lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, and mixed greens. When you fill your body with these vegetables (you can eat all you want), you’re less likely to overeat on other foods. Also, these vegetables have fiber and water that will help clear waste from your body.
4. Ditch the Bad Carbs, Eat More of the Good
What people forget is that there are good carbs. Complex carbs are wonderful for your body when eaten in moderation. They’re not only packed with fiber but help you stay full longer. Bad carbs, such as white flour and sugar, are quickly converted to fat, have little to no fiber, and can actually cause bowel problems. Ditch the bad carbs and instead focus on brown rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and other good complex carbs.
5. Move More
Last but not least, get up off the couch and move. You don’t have to start running a marathon today, but you do have to move. Walking can be a great way to burn calories and boost your weight loss. Pick two times a day to take a break and go for a walk.
Also, make it a habit to move more. Park further away from the store, take the steps instead of the elevator, etc. When doing chores like laundry or the dishes, squeeze in extra movements. For example, while folding laundry, I walk around my house, and when brushing my teeth, I do squats. 😊
Weight loss isn’t as complicated as people make it out to be. All it takes is putting the right foods into your body and moving to burn those calories. That’s it. Best of all, you can make these changes right now.
Do you have any good weight loss, er, lifestyle changes to suggest? 💪
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