“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing–that’s why we recommend it daily.” -Zig Ziglar
Losing weight can be frustrating and confusing. Keto diet? Carb-free? Atkins? South Beach? Teas?? WRAPS?? PILLS??
I’m here to tell you: chill. It doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to follow some fad diet to get results. I’ve put together a list of simple life hacks to help get you started on your way to losing body fat. Will this help you lose 10 pounds overnight? If you’re looking for those kinds of results, you won’t find them on my site.
What these hacks will help you do is feel better, and get into healthier habits that can result in weight loss.
1. Don’t drink your calories.
Sodas, teas, juices, sweet coffee drinks, and alcohol are all big culprits of empty calorie intake. These can be sneaky, and add up over the course of a day. I want to be clear though: following a calorie count isn’t as important as simply nixing unnecessary sugars and carbohydrates in your diet.
2. Drink more water.
3 out of 4 Americans are dehydrated. All of the above mentioned drinks do have water in them, but in order for your body to be able to process them, it uses the water in your body to adjust the acid levels in your stomach to be able to do so. That leaves less water for your body to actually hydrate your. Dehydration can cause fat retention, headaches, brain fog and more! Drink your water!
3. Cut out fast food.
Sure, it’s quick and easy when you’re pressed for time, but fast food (along with portions, see #4) is one of the big reasons why a large majority of Americans are overweight. Look at any urban street corner and I’ll bet you can find a fast food joint. Preparing healthy snacks for yourself such as fruit, veggies with hummus, a protein bar, or boiled eggs will help when you’re pressed for time and hungry. When you eat healthy snacks throughout the day, you’re much less likely to get hangry and make an unhealthy decision. People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.
4. Portion control
American restaurants typically serve massive amounts of food. That, paired with the a clean-your-plate mentality (did your parents do that? Mine did!) equals too much food being consumed in single sittings. Your protein should be the about the size of your open palm, carbs and veggies should be the size of your closed fist. It seems small, doesn’t it? When you eat healthy snacks throughout the day, not only are you keeping your metabolism going, you’re also aiding in not overdoing it at meal time.
5. Move!
Whether you’re sitting behind a computer most of the day, or tend to watch a lot of TV, it can be easy to grow stagnant. Go for a walk after dinner, or get up and do jumping jacks during commercials. You’d be surprised how just moving you’re body a little more than normal can lead to weight loss.
6. Skip fried foods.
I’m sure you know that fried foods aren’t good for you. Yes, they taste delicious. Cooking at home can help you avoid fried foods, but when you’re dining out, it can be hard to pass them up. Remember your goals, choose a baked option instead and know you’re making a change in your body.
I say this all the time: Take it one meal at a time. Don’t get down on yourself because you ate badly yesterday. Pack your healthy snacks and do better today.
7. Stay motivated.
Zig Ziglar said it best: motivation doesn’t last. Create a vision board on Pinterest, or cut out magazine pictures and glue them into a notebook of things that motivate you. Have a goal you’re working towards? Find a picture of something that reminds you of it and put that front and center. Look at your vision board every morning to remind yourself of what you’re going to accomplish!
There you have it! They’re all very simple, really. You have to want to make the change and execute! I believe #7 is very important, especially on days when you’re feeling low or unmotivated.
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