Losing weight isn’t easy, but by trying some, or all, of these tips and tricks, you can kickstart your healthy eating diet plan.
Educate yourself about food
Do you put the same items in your supermarket trolley each week? To try and break some bad habits, take a look at how many calories are in the food products you buy on a regular basis.
Look to see if you can replace the higher calorie foods for alternative products that are lower in fat, salt and sugar.
Control snacking between meals
Hunger isn’t the only reason we snack between meals. Lack of energy or enthusiasm for a task can also play a part. How often do you automatically pick up a chocolate bar to give yourself a break from what you’re doing?
In itself, snacking isn’t bad. Eating small amounts throughout the day can be easier on your digestive system than consuming a large meal. But if you’re prone to eating between meals, try to have healthy snacks to hand at those times when you’re likely to reach for a chocolate bar.
Reduce your portion size
Also, if you’re going to snack, make sure you reduce the portion size of your main meals. Rather than loading up your plate, help yourself to a small amount – any leftovers can be put in the fridge for another time.
And remember, fruits and vegetables should make up at least half of your plate at a meal.
Don’t eat in front of the TV
Studies have shown that we tend to eat more when we’re distracted by the TV and not paying close attention to our food
Ideally, you should sit at a table and eat slowly, savouring your meal. That way you will feel fuller sooner and eat less overall.
Avoid ready meals and takeaways
Takeaways and ready meals are often the most calorific foods we eat. For example, one slice of pizza can sometimes contain over 400 calories.
While it’s okay to have the odd takeaway treat, you should avoid indulging on a regular basis as the calories will soon mount up.
Post a photo of yourself on your wardrobe door
This is a trick that helps motivate many people when they switch to a healthy eating diet. A picture of yourself at your heaviest followed by subsequent photos of you as you lose weight can be a powerful motivator.
Don’t look for shortcuts or quick fixes
Losing weight isn’t easy, but slow and sure is better than taking a shortcut. The problem with quick-fix diets is that the pounds won’t stay off for long when you go back to your old eating habits.
For long-term weight loss, take a realistic look at your current eating habits and identify when you consume the most calories. That’s the area to target first.
Aim for a healthy weight
The airbrushed, unrealistic portrayal of celebrities in print and online can cause dieters to lose heart. And if this is a problem for you, try limiting your use of social media and avoid magazines that promote unrealistic images.
Your goal should be to achieve a weight that’s healthy for you. Making comparisons with other people, especially celebrities, is unhelpful and demoralising.
Get plenty of sleep
Lack of sleep is known to have a bit impact on our eating habits. When we’re tired and feeling sluggish, we’re more likely to reach for a cake or other sugar-heavy treat to give us an energy boost to get through the day.
A good night’s sleep will put you in a better frame of mind to achieve your dieting goals.
Take regular exercise
The better you feel, the stronger your motivation is to succeed. Taking regular exercise doesn’t mean you have to start pumping weights in a gym.
You should devise an exercise plan that works for you, that way you’ll stick to it. Swimming, walking or joining a dance class will all help to increase your energy levels and your motivation.
How does your waistline measure up?
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