5 Weight Loss Tips

If you’ve been battling with weight and are sick of putting in effort and seeing no results then you need to reassess your weight loss attitude and the means by which you’re trying to see these results. You can’t expect to to beat yourself up every time you fall off of the weight loss band wagon because you’ll end up eating more because you’ll be sad and discouraged. Instead, you need to make a commitment to living a healthier lifestyle and if you make a mistake and eat a handful of M&Ms then you need to forgive yourself and jump back on track as soon as possible. We’ve found these 5 tips to be effective when it comes to weight loss and will help you reach your weight loss goals quicker than you thought possible.

1. Skip the bread basket:White flour and processed foods are the antithesis to weight loss. The number one reason why most people are overweight is because they consume too much processed white flour. This includes bread, pasta, cereal, cookies, crackers, cake, etc. Often times these foods are easy to turn to in a hurry and make up a large portion of our diets. These foods can be replaced with whole wheat versions, but if you’re serious about weight loss then you’ll cut gluten-based products be they white or wheat out of your diet altogether.

2. Follow the 50-25-25 rule: This concept has to do with the way you fill your plate at mealtimes. Your plate should always contain 50% lean protein (chicken breast, salmon, turkey, tilapia etc.), 25% whole grains (the best are brown rice, quinoa, or a gluten-free pasta), and 25% should consist of leafy vegetables. With this combination, you are getting all of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to function at its peak and process the food you eat in a more efficient way. This also allows you to focus on portion control and not eat entirely one food group at a meal.

3. Up your protein consumption: Protein is the basic building block for lean muscle mass. Lean muscle burns more fat than the fat in your body does even while you’re sleeping. Protein also keeps you fuller for longer so that you’re less likely to mindlessly snack or overeat during meals.

4. Drink more water: Being hydrated is an essential part to any weight loss program. Water helps flush toxins from your body that may be slowing down your body’s fat burning processes and keeping you from losing the weight you’d like to be losing. Keeping your body hydrated is also a good way to boost your energy so that you can be more active throughout the day.

5. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise-Getting out and being active is so much more important than simply promoting weight loss. Exercise promotes heart health, bone density, clearer skin, and lifts your overall mood. Losing weight is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise, but you should be getting 30-60 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week to be healthy. Start slow and work your way to longer periods of time with higher intensity.

Losing weight can be a daunting task for any individual, but with these 5 tips and a commitment to improving your health you should be on your way to reaching your diet and fitness goals in no time.