Many of you will have tried to lose weight at some point in your life. It is highly likely that most of you will also have had some success with this. Unfortunately the majority of people who lose weight put it back on once they finish their diet. This is a fact of life as you have reverted back to your old eating habits. Losing weight is not about dieting. It is about developing eating habits which will stay with you forever and not just assist you in losing weight, but help you to keep the weight off forever. The following nine habits are essential to anyone who is serious about weight loss.
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Daily meals
Losing weight and staying healthy can be greatly assisted by sticking to the same daily diet. This does not mean exactly the same food but a small selection of foods which you love. Each meal is chosen from this selection and your food becomes predictable. This makes it very easy to keep track of your calories, fat intake and other nutrients. You will then learn what your body needs to function well and a habit will form keeping you fit and healthy.
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Breakfast
This has often been called the most important meal of the day and with good reason. The main reason that this is an effective habit is that it has been shown to reduce the desire to snack during the day. People who have breakfast feel fuller for longer and do not need to snack.
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Water
Water is essential to the human body and consuming around two liters a day is essential for good health. However, some people don’t like it. If you’re one of them, then you should know that there are alternatives to consider staying hydrated. Try fizzy water instead, and add some taste with fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries or oranges.
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Eating regularly
People who are successful at losing weight often eat small meals but eat often throughout the day. Anyone who goes for three hours without food will see a rise in their cortisol levels – the stress hormone. This tells the body to store fat in the abdomen area. Eating small, regular meals helps the body to maintain a steady metabolism throughout the day.
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Whole foods
Food which has not been processed is always better for you than processed foods which have an assortment of extras added. Products made from whole grains are especially good for you; they contain high amounts of fibre and few calories. The fibre helps you to feel fuller for longer.
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Food journal
Just as eating the same foods daily will help you to control what is going into your body so, too will a food journal. A food journal will also help you to see where and when you are indulging in treats and how quickly these add up to ruin your weight loss target.
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Portion control
One of the easiest ways to gain weight instead of losing it is to eat too much. Even if you are eating all the right foods it is possible to eat too much of them and this will be detrimental to your weight loss program. Try to control the portion of the food you eat and know the exact quantity which is enough for your body.
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Avoid temptation
The easiest way to avoid being tempted by a late night snack or a mid-afternoon ice cream is to ensure you do not have them in your house. It is not possible to eat something you do not have! A great benefit of this method is that, over time you will actually stop craving these food items and this will be a huge advantage in your weight loss.
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Cook at home
There will always be times when you need to eat out and this may well be the hardest part of your weight loss campaign. When eating out you need to know what foods are acceptable to you and stick to these choices. The majority of the time it is better to eat at home where you know what you are eating and what ingredients go into each dish.
So losing weight doesn’t have to be a dreadful endeavor just include these habits in your schedules and you will get a lot of help in your weight loss journey. The secret to effective weight loss is to turn your daily routine into a habit. Include exercise and healthy food into your diet, as well as the occasional dietary supplements such as starflower oil capsules and you’ll look great in less than 30 days. It will also help in keeping your metabolism high and reduce tiredness. Just be sure about consulting a physician or dietician before taking any supplement.
By Jason Phillips and Supplemented.co.uk!