Every time you pick up a magazine or visit a wellness website, there always seems to be a new and efficient way to lose weight featured on the front page. However, before you fully commit to reading the whole article and adapting to the new fad, the best approach agreed on by professionals is to listen to your body. More often than not, your body will provide some hints regarding what you should and shouldn’t eat. You’ll find it easy to achieve your weight loss journey if you listen to your body.
It’s also important to remember that weight loss isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. This means two people that have the same weight may lose pounds at different rates, even if they consume the same exact food and follow the same exercise routine.
Thus, if you have a workout buddy who’s achieving their weight loss goal faster than you are, it’s important not to get discouraged and to just continue with your journey.
Read More: Honey Boo Boo Weight Loss Journey: Diet Plan, Workout, Before & After
Tips For Kickstarting Your Weight Loss
If you’ve decided to shed some extra pounds, prepare to have the mindset for it. This includes cutting off some fast food and investing in supplements that may be able to help.
But before taking any action, you should also take into consideration any medication you might be taking. For instance, if you’re taking antidepressants, make sure to know the side effects, especially since antidepressants are said to cause weight gain.
However, there’s an atypical antidepressant, Wellbutrin, that’s said to have the opposite effect. If you want to know more about Wellbutrin weight loss, make sure to conduct rigorous research or, better yet, talk to a medical professional to find out how it can help your weight loss journey. But be sure not to self-diagnose, as it can lead to negative consequences.
With that precaution, here are some easy tips you can apply to kickstart your weight loss journey.
Consume Solid and Liquid Foods Slowly
You don’t have to stop eating in order for you to lose weight. Instead, you should savor each meal and always be aware of what you’re consuming. This principle applies whether you’re eating or drinking.
So, try eating or drinking slowly, as it’ll make you feel fuller faster. Doing so will also result in fewer digestive issues and increased energy levels. Most importantly, slow eating may be the key to your weight loss. (1)
In addition to knowing how to eat and drink, here are some types of food you should include in your diet to help you lose weight:
- Soup
- Beans
- Pureed vegetables
- Dark chocolate
- Yogurt
- Apples
- Nuts
Add Healthy Fats To Your Meals
Fat in food is often considered taboo when it comes to weight loss. Perhaps the reason is that people who are above their BMI (body mass index) are often labeled as “fat,” causing a stigma. However, fat isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there are healthy fats you can consume that are said to aid with weight loss. These healthy fats are also useful if you follow a low-carb diet. (2)
For instance, a study has shown that those who included almonds in their diet had 56% more fat mass reduction. Additionally, if you include coconut oil in your diet, you may also experience fat loss in your belly area. (3)
With that said, here are some foods with healthy fat that you should add to your meals:
- Walnuts
- Salmon
- Flaxseeds
- Tuna
- Avocados
- Olives or olive oil
Get Enough Sleep
Other than fully committing to an exercise routine or following a strict diet, there’s one thing that people who are on a weight loss journey often neglect––getting enough sleep. A healthy sleep routine won’t only give you energy for the following day, but it may also be the key to maintaining a healthy weight. In fact, a study shows that lack of sleep and obesity have a correlation. (4)
This is because insufficient sleep results in low leptin levels and increased ghrelin. Both are peptides that regulate appetite; leptin signals fullness, while ghrelin stimulates hunger. So, if you have increased ghrelin levels, there’s a big chance you’ll always feel hungry, forcing your body to consume more, which in turn results in weight gain.
Be Realistic About your Goals
Lastly, keep in mind that weight loss shouldn’t be a competition. As mentioned above, a diet isn’t a universal solution. So, instead of declaring that you want to lose 50 pounds this year, try to set a more attainable goal.
For instance, instead of an annual goal, try making one monthly. So, your goal can be five pounds per month. This way, you can hit ten smaller goals in ten months, which will allow you to stick with your annual plan since you will be motivated by the fact that you’ve accomplished something in the short term.
Takeaway
There are plenty of benefits to having the appropriate weight. For one, it’ll drastically lessen your chances of having a heart attack. Secondly, you’ll have the much-needed energy to tackle everyday tasks.
However, before doing anything drastic, like completely cutting off a specific type of food or introducing a new pill into your routine, make sure that you always consult a doctor first.
By visiting a healthcare professional, you’ll be advised of the type of food you should eat or the type of food you should avoid. They may also provide some insights regarding how to achieve your weight loss goals without sacrificing your health.
References
- “Eating Slowly May Help With Weight Loss, Study Finds”, Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2018/02/12/eating-slowly-and-mindfully-may-help-with-weight-loss-study-finds/?sh=68dda1a85f41
- The LCHF Diet Plan: A Detailed Beginner’s Guide”, Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lchf-diet-plan-and-menu#:~:text=The%20LCHF%20diet%20is%20a,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20diseas
- “Almonds vs complex carbohydrates in a weight reduction program,” Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/9042527_Almonds_vs_complex_carbohydrates_in_a_weight_reduction_program
- “Sleep and obesity,” Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632337/