These Habits Will Have You Shedding off the Pounds and Keeping It That Way!
Have you ever looked at a person with the kind of figure you are after and just wondered how on earth they maintain it? Well, as it turns out, there are a couple of beneficial habits that people who maintain healthy figures swear by. Here are a couple of habits to follow so that you, too, can achieve your goal physique and keep it that way!
Early Dinner
It’s a long-held debate as to whether late dinners contribute to weight gain. Experts have been returning to this topic time and again. Eventually, a study was published in Obesity that shed light on the link between dinner time and weight gain. The researchers involved in the study found that the adults who had a habit of eating after 20h00 ingested the highest number of calories and also carried the most excess body fat. So, stop your snacking three hours before bed to curb weight gain and even help weight loss.
Weigh Yourself Daily
It can be easy to avoid the scale when you aren’t happy with your physique, but that’s’ all the more reason to have a look at your weight every morning! Facing your fears pays off in this regard because this habit can help you reach your goal weight and stay that weight. Monitoring your weight can help you concentrate on your health, particularly if you are overweight. Also, remember that it is normal for your weight to fluctuate, but not by many kgs at a time!
Eat a Boring Diet
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who consume the same calorie-dense meal each day consume fewer calories than those who consume the same calorie-dense meal a week. However, the results are more long term than instant. The explanation for this is that the novelty of new foods seem to cause humans to eat more. So establishing familiar meals that you will regularly cycle in your week or month can help you consume fewer calories. Perhaps begin by having porridge every morning, and take it from there!
Reward Yourself
Establishing a set of healthy meal options to choose from is half the work done. The other half is developing a reward system. Everyone likes treats and being rewarded for something you are doing well. This means having a selection for your favorite foods and choosing one of them to indulge in – but limit it to a 200 calorie serving. Of course, you only get your favorite treat at the end of the day, and only if you deserve it.
Drink Water
Nearly 60% of the human body is composed entirely of water. This makes it logical that adequate daily water intake is essential for the metabolic functions of your body. Studies have shown that people who drink more water lose more weight—in particular, making a habit of drinking two glasses of water before each meal can help you lose up to 30% more weight than if you didn’t. This is applicable for water only – not fruit concentrates, juices, or worse, sodas.
Spice It Up
It was found during a study that the consumption of spicy foods can greatly accelerate weight loss. This is all thanks to capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers that gives them their heat. Capsaicin acts as an appetite suppressant and helps boost metabolism. Capsaicin also fights inflammation. So incorporate this helpful compound in your food by cooking with a pinch or two of cayenne pepper, or having your meals with hot sauce on the side.
Stock Up
Lastly, it only makes sense for you to stock up on healthy foods instead of junk. Make a habit of preparing fruits and vegetables and keeping them in your fridge for easy and convenient yet healthy snacks. Don’t have packets of crisps or jars of sweets glaring at you from the kitchen shelves. Surround yourself with healthier options, and you will instantly feel it easier to make healthier choices. Place indulgent treats and snacks in challenging to reach places, for only once in a while. Remember, if you cheat, you are only cheating yourself.
Adopt any or all of these great habits to get slim and stay slim. This isn’t a magical overnight method of weight loss. However, if you commit to making these habits work for you, you can see some real results over time. Don’t make weight loss a goal; make it a journey. That way, you will make choices that are there to stay.