Losing weight is not easy. It takes a huge amount of dedication, commitment and determination. And the worst part is, it’s easy to slip up and regain all the weight you lost from weeks of hard work. While that sounds like losing weight is a near-impossible task, it’s not. All it takes is a few simple changes that won’t require you to completely overhaul your diet and lifestyle. Just making these small tweaks to your daily routine will see you shedding those pounds and keeping them off.
With that, here are 4 simple habits to help you lose weight right.
Tip #1: Pile on the protein at breakfast
There’s a good reason why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Eating the right foods for breakfast can mean the difference between you feeling satisfied till lunch or you scrambling for an unhealthy mid-day snack at the office vending machine.
Eating a low-glycemic, protein-packed breakfast helps keep you full by decreasing levels of ghrelin, also known as the hunger hormone, which is responsible for increasing your appetite and making you crave those fat-filled sugary snacks.
Packing on the protein also increases your energy levels and, more importantly, helps prevent muscle loss to boost your metabolism.
So next time you’re having breakfast, consider adding some eggs or Greek yoghurt to your meal and top it off with a generous handful of nuts and chia seeds.
Tip #2: Stay hydrated with plenty of water
Water is not only crucial for our survival, it’s also an important part of weight loss. Drinking one or two glasses of water in the morning can help increase the number of calories your body burns for up to an hour.
As our bodies often confuse thirst, hunger and fatigue, drinking a glass of water can curb your urge to snack. That said, quenching your thirst also helps you avoid overeating as it makes you feel full, causing you to reduce your appetite and food intake during meals.
So start by having a glass (or two) of water every morning along with your breakfast. As the day progresses, stay hydrated by taking sips every once in a while or by setting a timer every hour to remind you to down a glass.
Tip #3: Get your Zzz’s
Having a good night’s sleep is more important than you might think. Sleep not only gets your energy levels up, it also plays a vital role in helping you maintain optimal health and well-being. And when it comes to weight loss, quality sleep can do wonders.
Sleep gives our body the downtime it needs to restore and rejuvenate important muscles and bodily functions. When you have a lack of sleep, your brain functions much slower and you feel hungry much faster as your body tries to burn more energy to fuel your brain. And that leads to you eating more, exercising less and making really bad food choices like craving high-carb, high-calorie foods.
Establishing a healthy sleep schedule not only ensures your body has enough rest, it also helps in your weight-loss efforts and repairs your muscles. For maximum results, try to squeeze in at least 7–8 hours of sleep a night.
Tip #4: Put on your walking shoes
While driving or getting a Grab might be super convenient for you to get to work, it’s may not be so great for your waistline.
Taking a brisk walk to work in the morning increases your heart rate, raises your energy for the day and boosts your metabolism. While the calorie burn for walking may not be as great as running, it does steadily burn off those fats to aid in weight loss.
Start by turning your daily commute to work into walking time or taking short walks after your meals. Aim to get in at least 30 minutes of brisk walking a day.
Know other healthy weight loss habits? Share your stories and questions with us!
