Losing weight doesn’t have to be miserable. By changing a few daily habits and adding some new ones, everyone can lose weight. The key to losing weight is eating less and moving more, and according to the experts, the best way to keep the weight off is to make an overall lifestyle change.
Try out some of these easy lifestyle changes. The more you do, the more you’ll lose!
Tea and Lemonade
Substitute a summer-friendly beverage like iced tea or lemonade for soda, which is both healthy and classy. Try iced green tea for extra antioxidants and to increase metabolism.
Mustard and No Mayo
Hamburgers and sandwiches are popular summer foods. Avoid the extra calories of mayo by using mustard (or another low calorie condiment) instead. Many people don't realize how many calories they're consuming in condiments that can easily be changed.
Jump Rope
Get outside in the mornings and jump rope. Jumping rope is excellent for cardiovascular training and overall conditioning. This is an affordable solution for those looking for cheap ways to exercise at home.
Manners
Don’t start eating until everyone is served, and then eat at a moderate pace. Try to be the last one eating, and you’ll force yourself to chew more and eat slower – which gives the brain the time it needs to register that the stomach is indeed full.
Bean Salad
Summer salads are great for picnics and social gatherings. Be sure to include navy beans and other starch-resistant foods to cupboards and meals.
Summer of Fruit
Skip dried fruit, and go for the fresh fruit this summer. Dried fruit isn't as filling and packs more (albeit natural) sugars that can be detrimental to a healthy lifestyle. For those insisting on dried fruit, eat in moderation. A little bit of dried fruit goes a long way.
Skip the Crust
Because fruit is readily available in the summer, it can be the season for pies. When choosing to eat pie, save a few calories by avoiding eating the crust.
Homemade Smoothies
Instead of purchasing expensive, and sometimes calorie-loaded smoothies, make them yourself at home. With a few simple ingredient like fruit (can be frozen), yogurt, and juice – homemade smoothies are quick, easy, and healthy.
No Thank You
Don’t be afraid to say no to some of the tempting and high-calorie treats this summer. Whether it’s at work, home, or a social gathering – watch out for the food traps and avoid them. Don’t be afraid to politely decline.
Share Goals
To avoid having to reject tasty temptations, share weight loss goals with family and friends. They can be supportive when temptation strikes. Support is an important factor when individuals are trying to change their lifestyle for long term weight loss.
Water
Staying hydrated is especially important in the summer, but it’s even more important when trying to lose weight. Drinking more water increases metabolism and helps the cells in the body work at their optimum, which means those cells will be more efficient at burning energy and fat.
Weekends
Regarding a lifestyle change, a strict diet will never last forever. However, when people are allowed flexibility, those lifestyle changes are more successful. Let weekends be non-dieting weekends, but don’t go overboard.
Weight loss doesn’t have to be difficult. By making small and manageable changes, anyone can create a healthy lifestyle. Don’t expect to lose weight too quickly. It took years to put the weight on, and it’s going to take some time to lose it. Focus on the lifestyle changes and the weight loss will happen naturally.
Angela Wilson - Angela has a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Services. With a passion for helping ...
