Losing weight is never an easy task, whether it is just a couple of pounds or more than that. From counting calories to gauging your workouts, it can be stressful. Not to mention the added stress of weighing yourself like a maniac! It eventually takes a toll and you stop making the effort.
7 Proven Ways To Lose Weight
There are ways that you can lose weight without stress! Let us take a look at how you can do that.
1. Trick Your Brain!
It is time to play some tricks on your brain. The human brain is complex and works in even more mysterious ways. Our brain is the control center of our body and it is the brain that decides whether we should or should not eat food.
A smart way to trick your brain into ‘thinking’ that you have had enough food, is to use smaller plates. It sounds funny, right? But the truth is that using smaller plates makes it seem as if you have eaten a lot, which you have not done in reality!
Studies showed that halving the plate size led to a 30% reduction in the amount of food consumed on average.
A bigger plate may make even bigger helpings look small! Play around with your brain and use bigger plates for healthy foods and smaller plates for, when you are craving something unhealthy!
2. Chew Thoroughly!
Another way to play games with your brain is to chew your food thoroughly and slowly! Your brain takes some time to process that you have had enough. There is a complex circuitry involved in this process. So chewing down your food thoroughly and slowing down, actually gives your brain time to process everything.
It has been found to be associated with early satiety, decreased food intake, and weight loss. According to a study, fast eaters are most likely to gain weight as compared to their counterparts. So slow down and enjoy your meal!
3. Make Every Bite Count!
You are what you eat. Even if you are not in a habit of counting calories, you can still lose weight by keeping track of what you put on your plate. Pile up your plate with vegetables and proteins.
If you love your carbs as much as we do, then switch to organic and whole-wheat products such as whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, and oats.
A combination of proteins, vegetables, and whole-wheat products is a recipe for weight loss success, without any stress! But like anything else, moderation is the key.
4. Coconut Oil, The Savior!
Coconut oil is the rage these days. It is loaded with fats called Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are metabolized differently from other fats.
Coconut oil not only reduces appetite but also increases fat burning. Two small studies have shown that people who eat Medium Chain Fats, eat fewer calories.
This does not mean that you can down an entire bottle of coconut oil. Just replace your regular cooking oil with coconut oil.
5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind!
This is an old saying and it totally fits your love/hate relationship with junk food. One of the best ways of losing weight is to clean out your kitchen pantry and take out all the processed and unhealthy food.
If you keep cookies, cakes, and crisps in your sight, you are more likely to reach out for them when you are hungry or bored. Keep healthy snacks such as unsalted nuts or energy bars in your kitchen pantry.
Keep fruits like bananas and apples on your kitchen counter, so that you are more than likely to eat them, whenever you need a snack.
6. Keep Yourself Hydrated!
We all know how important water is for us. But do we drink enough water during the day? It is more than likely that most of us do not drink enough water during the day and sometimes, it is just water that our body needs which we confuse with hunger!
Drinking water at least 30 minutes before a meal can actually reduce your caloric intake. But do not replace water with fizzy drinks and sodas, as they are loaded with calories and don’t really quench your thirst!
An easy way to drink enough water is to put lemon and cucumber slices in a jug of water and drink it.
7. Sleep is Important!
If you love your sleep then we have some good news! If you want to lose weight, then get proper sleep. Sleep is the time when our bodies reset and we know that it has a major influence on the appetite and stress hormones.
If your sleep is disturbed, your hormones get messed up and you gain weight, ultimately. So stick to a regular and restful sleep pattern of 7-8 hours and lose weight!