Wellbeing Tips
Dieting to lose weight is often unsuccessful. Completely changing the way you eat overnight can be nearly impossible to sustain. In fact, for many people, just the thought of a diet is enough to start craving fried foods and milkshakes. You don’t need to overhaul your diet or dramatically change your lifestyle in order to lose weight. Losing weight without dieting is possible. Small changes to your everyday routine may be all that you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Use these tips for losing weight without dieting and improve your overall health:
1. Journal Your Food
Keep a log of everything you eat including the amount, calories and time. Journaling forces you to be honest with yourself about how much you’re eating. This process will also enable you to recognize unhealthy patterns in your eating habits that you can cut out, like the 3:00 candy bar pick-me-up.
2. Get Your Rest
Many people underestimate the impact a good night’s sleep has on their overall well-being. Research has shown that not getting adequate rest can result in weight gain. Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
3. Give In To Cravings
Cravings are a normal part of weight loss. Rather than trying to ignore the craving, allow yourself to indulge. If you’re craving something sweet, try a small piece of dark chocolate as opposed to a brownie. The small piece will likely satisfy your craving without the excess calories.
4. Guzzle the H2O
Many people often mistake thirst for hunger. Aim to drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water per day. Regularly drinking water allows your body to filter out toxins as well as can help you feel full. And, drinking water has the added benefit of clearer skin.
5. Count Your Steps
The simple act of wearing an activity tracker can help increase the amount of exercise you get on a daily basis. Use the first day as your baseline and aim to add 1,000 steps a day to get in additional physical activity.
6. Bring Your Lunch
Brown bagging it allows you to have control of your food intake during the day. Packing a lunch provides the opportunity to plan meals to achieve your goals. Additionally, the financial savings of bringing a lunch can be used to buy your new wardrobe when you’ve dropped a size.
7. The Buddy System
The best things in life are better when you have someone to share them with. Partner with a friend, your spouse or a family member to work out with. A simple walk can both improve your relationships and your waistline. You can be accountable to one another and provide the support you need to continue losing weight without dieting.
8. Brush Away
Brushing your teeth after every meal can help you resist the urge to snack. The act of brushing decreases the desire to continue eating. Another great benefit? A whiter smile.
9. Use Blue Plates
Chances are you haven’t seen a lot of blue décor in your favorite restaurants. The color blue has been proven to decrease appetite. Try eating on a blue plate, using blue napkins or laying out a blue table cloth.
10. Don’t Clean Your Plate
It’s okay to leave food on your plate, stop eating once you’re full. In fact, those few bites can save you hundreds of calories. Don’t worry, we won’t tell mom.
This article was written by Bek Clerk, a recent contributor to the Withings blog.
Bek Clerk is a freelance writer, blogger and social media enthusiast. When she’s not at her laptop she can be found working in her garden and spending time with her husband and two year old daughter.
