Good health and weight loss are known to be interrelated. Any individual with a higher BMI is known to have an increased risk of several disorders such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. However, immediate weight loss may not be healthy. Trying to lose weight in 7 days can do more harm than good.While weight loss can be a challenge for any individual, the popularity of weight loss programmes have been through the roof. Unfortunately, many people seem to aim to lose a lot of weight in shorter periods of time. As satisfying as it may seem to lose 10 kg in a week, the practice is not recommended by nutritionists. Fads that help achieve such goals should be avoided since they do have harmful side effects.Ideally, one’s weight loss journey must be planned according to their needs, body type, and preferences. It is essential to design these programmes in a sustainable manner in order to ensure that one is not adversely affected in the long-term.
10 Weight Loss Tips
While losing a significant amount of weight in a week is not practical, we have a few tips to help you get started on your weight loss journey. Simply remember to maintain a healthy, balanced diet, and not any fad diet that you may find.
1. Eat Healthy and Regularly
Consider what you can add to your regular diet rather than what you must not consume when you wish to lose weight. Ideally, consume a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains and pulses.Most dietitians recommend that you do not skip any meals. Ensure that you control your meal portions and that you receive all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. If you wish to lose weight in a goal-oriented manner, make sure to cut back on carbohydrates, salt, butter, sugar, and fried foods.The easiest way to adopt these changes is to prepare your food yourself, and staying mindful of what exactly you are eating.
2. Increase Protein Intake
An important component of any weight loss diet is protein. Adding the nutrient to your meals will help you remain full for long after you have consumed them. A high-protein and moderate carbohydrate diet helps preserve muscle mass and encourage the fat burning process.It was found by a recent study that an increase of one’s protein intake by 25% helped reduce their midnight cravings by 60%. Consume high protein sources like lean meat, nuts, dairy, and even dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese, and keep your weight loss journey going.
3. Track Calories One of the most important tasks in your weight loss journey is to track your calories. In order to lose weight, one must burn more calories than they consume. Keeping tabs on your calories helps you keep understand where you stand in your fitness journey.While most people do keep track of their calorie intake, it is just as necessary to know how many calories one is burning at the same time. In addition to helping you understand how you are doing, tracking your calories can also help you remain motivated.
4. Eat Wholesome Snacks Cutting down on junk food may not be easy for any individual. While it may be challenging to give up on one’s fries and chips, it is possible to replace them with healthier snacking options.For example, you can replace your cookies and pastries with a box of mixed nuts. While these nuts may be high in fat, they prove effective against heart diseases, and certain cancers. You can also opt to munch on some apple slices with peanut butter.
5. Avoid Sweet Temptations
If you have a sweet tooth, you need not refuse to satisfy your cravings entirely. Substitute the usual high-calorie options with chewing gum, which will satisfy your cravings.You could also replace the calorie-rich foods you crave for with fruits or berries. Rich in antioxidants, they also help in reducing the risk of heart diseases. Another healthy fix for these temptations would be to eat dark chocolate, as it contributes to good heart health too.Lastly, it is extremely important to make the switch from sodas and fizzy drinks to fruit juices and water.
More often than not, people tend to mistake their thirst for hunger. If you think you are feeling hungry, drink a glass of water first. Water contains no calories or sodium, aiding in one’s weight loss attempts.Drinking water can also help flush out impurities from the body, and improve one’s metabolism rate. You can also add a hint of lemon or a few mint leaves to add flavour to you water. You could begin your day with a glass of water that contains a pinch of lemon juice to get it off to a healthy start.Set reminders for yourself to keep drinking water in order to ensure that you stay hydrated at all times.
While achieving goals immediately may seem more satisfying, this may not be sustainable. It is best to focus on realistic goals that one can achieve, rather than going after something that would be difficult to do. Ideally, you must modify your lifestyle in order to stay healthy in the long run rather than just looking to achieve your goals right away.
8. Get Sufficient Sleep
A good amount of sleep is key to one’s weight loss journey. You can add 30 minutes to your daily sleep cycle to make sure that you are better rested. This helps you stay fresh and not skip exercises.In addition to that, seven to eight hours of sleep on a daily basis can help you improve your metabolism. You can take a short nap during the day to keep energetic and fresh for the rest of it.
