Knowing that warm weather is right around the corner, we’re probably all trying to lose the weight we gained when hibernating these past few months of winter. I know, some of us are internally panicking, frantically googling some of the fastest ways to lose weight before it’s sunny and 75 out. However, instead of buying into gimmicks regarding weight loss that could possibly be harmful to our bodies, we should be focused on how to lose weight safely.
While we’re most likely been reminded of some, if not all, of these health strategies throughout our lives, there is no hurt in being reminded of them. Here are a few strategies that could help you with weight loss.
1. Remember to eat, and to eat clean
I used to believe that not eating or skipping meals would help me lose weight faster, however that’s not the case. Not eating can lower metabolism, as well as lead to binge eating later on. I don’t know how many times I’ve skipped breakfast, ate a light lunch and then gorged down an entire 7/11 catered feast by dinner time. Skipping meals is not good for our bodies, nor is it sustainable to our lifestyles.
Not only should we be eating, but we should be conscious of what we are eating. I think most of us know that highly processed foods can have many added sugars and preservatives that aren’t beneficial to our bodies. By no means am I telling you to completely alter your diet, however substituting out a plate of French fries for a side salad is a small thing that could lead to a bigger difference.
2. Try to stop eating after 7 p.m.
Yes, we’ve probably heard this a million times but man, this is still a hard one. The urge to snack during late night study sessions is often too strong to ignore. Though this is hard, studies have shown that late-night cravings can lead to weight gain. Those calories ingested before bedtime are more likely to be stored as fat within the body rather than burned off as energy. With this in mind, try to curb your urge to snack while you’re up late at night. However, if this isn’t possible for you at times, try to eat healthier snacks when those hunger pains hit at 3 a.m. while you’re screaming at your English paper.
With this strategy in mind, don’t forget to try to and get a good night sleep more often than not. Losing rest can actually lower your metabolism can thus lead to weight gain. Of course, we all love sleeping, and would much rather be doing so rather than writing a paper or studying for a test late at night. Sometimes late-night work is necessary, however, remember not to stay up late every night if you don’t have to.
3. Don’t overwork yourself at the gym
When we’re trying to get fit for summer time, we tend to think that hitting the gym hard will lead to satisfying and speedy results. However, remember that the key to losing weight is 80% by diet and 20% by exercise. It is way harder to burn 200 calories at the gym than it is to ingest those calories when scarfing down a single candy bar. What you eat has more of an effect on your body weight than exercise can. Of course, working out isn’t a bad thing and it’s definitely good to keep your body active. Just don’t waste time by overworking yourself at the gym!
I’d have to say that when you are trying to lose weight, your mentality during the process is key. Try not to be so hard on yourself, and remember to trust in how your body is feeling rather than how it is looking.