10 Weight Loss Tips Everyone Should Know
Before I begin, I want to say weight loss is NOT essential. I’m a curvy girl, and always have been. I have struggled with body image my entire life, and I am trying to implement healthy habits to change my life for the better. Work out & eat healthy because you love yourself, not because you hate your body. I also am not a nutritionist or personal trainer, this is just what worked for me personally.
Do Not Skip Meals.
It doesn’t work. Starving your body is not sustainable. Fad diets are not sustainable. I promise you I’ve spend 100s on fit teas and diet pills, I’ve gone weeks at a time eating 500 calories or less, and the weight WILL come back, and it’ll be more than ever before. Skipping meals screws up your metabolism, messes up your energy and mood, and makes you break out due to hormonal imbalances. Food is your friend.
Count Calories (I said it, I’m sorry)
Download an app such as “Lose It” or “My Fitness Pal”. I have mine set to 1500 calories, and I just enter in what I eat throughout the day. I do not do this religiously or obsessively. The reason calorie counting is important is because in order to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you are eating. Calorie counting is not sustainable, but it helps you become more aware of what you’re putting into your body.
Not eating 2 hours before bedtime
I try not to eat after 8:00. When planning a dinner with friends I typically aim for 6 or 6:30. The food you eat right before bed just sits in your stomach, which isn’t good.
Move Your Body
This should go without saying but take the stairs, park further, take up a workout class, or go for an evening walk. Workout is 20% and Diet is 80%, but that 20% can go a long way. Plus, working out is therapeutic and makes you feel great!
Break up with Bread
I’m no nutritionist, but I follow a gluten free diet. It’s made me less bloated, and changed my body in a positive way. I would reccomend it.
Dairy? Never Heard of Her.
For me personally, dairy messes with my skin, makes my stomach ache, and makes me bloat. Letting go of ice cream, and milk has changed my life for the better. Saying no to dairy and gluten eliminates a lot of processed and junky foods.
Do not Drink Your Calories
Drink half your weight in ounces of water every day. Carry a cute water bottle. It’ll flush the gross stuff out, make you less bloated, clear up your skin, and your pee won’t smell (TMI, I know)
Be Careful With Salads
Ordering at a restaurant while being healthy typically leads you to the salad section on the menu. Be weary. Salads typically contain a lot of hidden carbs in croutons and fatty dressings. Know what’s on your salad, but also try sticking to ordering a lean protein with veggies.
Be Nice to Yourself
Make sure you’re changing your diet for the right reasons. Not to “be skinny” or to impress guys or anything. Do this for yourself and for your health. Have a positive self talk and do not rush your weight loss journey, if you’re working out and fueling properly, the weight WILL come off.
Be consistent, but know there will be cheat days
It is totally unrealistic to believe you’ll never have ice cream or pasta ever again. Just try to steer clear of cheat DAYS and more towards a cheat meal once or twice a week. As long as you’re active, there’s no need to beat yourself up as long as you get right back on track.