The sun is shining, the birds are chirping… just by looking out
the window you can see that we’re getting one step further away from
winter and one step closer to summer each and every day. This is great
news as we will be leaving behind our jackets and sweaters and getting
out our tanks and shorts. Unfortunately, not everyone succeeded in
taking care of their body during the cold season, thinking that we can
cover up our extra pounds with thick clothes. Now that we can’t trick
ourselves anymore, we have to start planning out diet and taking
immediate action if we want to rock a beach bod this summer. The
internet is packed with diet ideas, some that work, some that don’t.
Instead of piling up diet plans, we have decided to present the ultimate
guide to helping you lose weight in a healthy way. This way, you can
try out various types of diets while taking into consideration these
pieces of advice. You should note that our suggestions are in no
particular order, so you can easily carry out all of them or the ones of
your choice. So here are the 18 best tips & tricks for diet and
weight loss; we hope you try them out and enjoy fantastic results!
1. Breakfast is Mandatory!
While seeking to shed off some pounds, never underestimate the power
of a healthy breakfast. Although our continuous lack off time pushes us
to skip breakfast in order to arrive on time at work or school, this
meal is literally the most important one of the day. A well-thought out
breakfast will provide the necessary energy for you to carry out your
day successfully and stay on track with your diet.
2. Add Fiber
Fibers are a must if you want to have the right mindset for losing
weight. Foods which are rich in fiber give you the impression that
you’re full, so you will easily avoid overeating. You can find fiber in
quite a few types of food, ranging from oats, pasta and brown rice, to
peas or beans. Of course, fruits and veggies are also loaded with fiber
as they come from plants, so you can enjoy them for your dose of fiber
as well.
3. Snack on Fruits
Speaking of fruits, you should really consider replacing your bags of
potato chips or bar of chocolate with them. Snacking on a fruit of your
choice between meals will not only help you overcome the feeling of
hunger, but will also serve the tasty treat you have been craving. Just
grab an apple, banana or an orange when you leave the house so you
won’t be tempted to hit the corner shop and buy something probably
unhealthy during your break at work.
4. The Secret
Remember the book that practically exploded world-wide a few years
back, “The Secret”? Well it’s no secret any longer that the golden rule
thoroughly described in the book serves as an excellent tip & trick
for respecting your diet and achieving the weight of your dreams. Yep,
we’re talking about positivity. That means that you cut out any negative
words from your vocabulary (such as “overweight”, “fat”, “chubby” or
“can’t”), and replace them with positive words that will keep you going
(like “fit”, “healthy”, “slim”, “can”). The psychological effects of
this method are astonishing, so keep this secret in mind.
5. Less TV
Don’t become a couch potato! Shut off that TV and take a walk
outdoors, can’t you see how beautiful it is outside? Studies show that
the more hours you spend in front of your television, the more you are
prone to snacking on junk food. In fact, the National Weight Control
Registry reports that 62% off people who had lost 66 pounds had limited
their TV time to less than ten hours every week. So set aside the remote
and get your sneakers on!
6. Protein, Protein, Protein!
We really can’t stress enough the impact of protein on your diet.
Aside from the fact that protein is awesome for burning fat, it is the
number one element for feeling full. Together with fiber, protein helps
you satisfy your craves and hunger in no time. In fact, nutritionists
encourage dieters to consume them together. Pack your fridge with
health-friendly proteins such as cheese, beans, seafood or yogurt and
you’re good to go.
7. Plan Meals & Snacks
A well-planned diet is the key to successful weight loss. Many people
tend to skip meals in order to lose weight, but you should know that
this is certainly not a solution. Try a weekly plan for your meals,
including snacks between breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is not
recommended to starve yourself or keep yourself hungry, because you will
be more and more tempted to steer away from your initial plan. Be
organized!
8. Cut Down on Salt
One of the best pieces of advice from nutritionists for a healthy
diet is to not consume salt in excess. Studies show that the modern
American eats two times more salt in one day than they regularly should.
Salt excess leads to bloating and gaining weight, as well as an
increase in appetite. We strongly recommend that you reduce the amounts
of sodium you consume daily to enjoy the results of your work.
9. Out with the Junk Food, in with the Healthy Food!
Are your fridge and pantry packed with chips, chocolate and soda?
Well get them out! Specialists say that individuals attempting to lose
weight are a lot more likely to snack on junk food if it is available in
their home. Instead, replace all the fattening food with super healthy
snacks, like veggies, fruit, natural popcorn and homemade juice.
10. Always Exercise
Planning a proper diet is mandatory for losing weight,
but exercise is just as critical for visible results. Even if you don’t
have the time to work out for hours a day, try to do some simple
exercises daily and make sure you walk as much as you can. The little
extra effort of exercising goes a long way when you want to get in shape
and live out a healthy life.
11. Short Workout Breaks
Speaking of working out, you should know that taking long breaks
between exercises is definitely a no-no for successful weight loss. If
you’re pumped up and burning calories like there’s no tomorrow, make
sure that the most you rest between exercises is 30 seconds. It will not
only help keep you going and completing the workout, but it will also
aid you in burning those unwanted calories.
12. Water!
Yes, “Water!” with an exclamation point. That is exactly how
essential water consumption is when dieting. In order to lose weight,
you need to be well-hydrated at all times. Nutritionists recommend
between 6 and 8 glasses of water every day (that’s around 1.2 liters),
adding a few more if you are working out or if the temperature increases
in the area you live in. Even more so, water has proven to satisfy
hunger, so drink a glass when your tummy asks for nutrition.
13. Smaller Portions
You would be amazed to see what effect smaller portions have on your
weight. This means not only eating smaller amounts of food, but also
placing them in smaller plates to trick your mind. If you’re going out
to eat at a restaurant, order your meal in child-size so you won’t be
tempted to eat more than you should.
14. No Alcohol
Sorry to break it to you, ladies, but wining and dining is a big
no-no if you’re planning to lose weight. Studies show that one single
glass of wine packs up as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Yikes!
Even if you can’t avoid drinks with the girls in the weekend, at least
try to drink a lot less than you did before.
15. Soup before your Meal
A hot bowl of veggie soup before your main course is a perfect tip
for maintaining a healthy diet. You will not only consume more calories,
but you will also be hydrating your body and losing the feeling of
being hungry. Make sure that your soup is low in calories, though,
because it won’t have the same effect otherwise.
16. Love your Veggies!
You can never go wrong with eating vegetables instead of other
fattening foods. Try to incorporate as many veggies as you can into your
diet, even using them as snacks between meals. Research conducted by
the American Dietetic Association shows that up to 200 calories can be
saved if you switch from pasta to vegetables in your meal. Go green,
girls!
17. Don’t Eat at Night
This tip & trick is just as important as it is obvious. Even
though you might come home late from work, make sure that you enjoy your
meal at least three hours before you go to bed at night. This also
means that you should snack on junk food while watching your before-bed
movie. Sorry ladies, it’s a sacrifice that must be made if you want the
body of your dreams.
18. Sleep Well
Last but not least, sleeping well is mandatory if you want to stay in
shape and have a healthy lifestyle. If you sleep 6-8 hours every night,
you will be well-rested and your tummy will feel satisfied. Try as much
as you can to have a normal sleeping pattern, without losing nights and
becoming deprived of the rest you need.
