Hundreds of weight loss programs will promise quick results, but the truth remains, there is no shortcut to long-term weight loss results. The foundation of losing weight remains a healthy lifestyle which includes a calorie-controlled diet with more physical activity. If you want long-term successful weight loss results, you need to make several permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.
As much as they say it will be easy, the fact remains you will have to get uncomfortable and put in the effort required to get results. How fast it works depends on a number of things but primarily the amount of effort you are putting in. So stick around to learn several strategies that will help you shed some weight.
1. Meal prep
It’s no secret that a home-cooked meal is healthier than pre-packed food or ready meals, no matter how healthy they are said to be. These meals are mostly higher in calories and sodium, and if you eat them consistently, the extras might add up real quick. With meal prep, you weigh your portions and control the number of ingredients, thereby tracking your calories. Besides, you can opt for nutrient-dense whole foods, which are healthier and come in handy to lose weight.
2. Proper use of supplements
Studies show that the most effective strategies to lose weight include eating healthy, cutting calories, and increasing physical activity. However, sometimes making such lifestyle changes is not easy. That’s where supplements come in. Dietary supplements contain ingredients like minerals, fiber, and herbs in different portions and combinations. They are sold in forms like powders, liquids, and tablets. Proper use of such supplements combined with other weight-loss strategies can help in your weight-loss journey.
3. Use healthy tactics in social events
Can we all agree, synching a diet plan in a social event can be frustrating? That church dinner, professional event, or wedding can cause those pounds to slowly add up. That’s why you need to apply healthy tactics in all your social events if you intend on succeeding in your weight-loss journey. The very first tip is never to arrive hungrily. Take a healthy snack on your way to the event or a light meal before leaving the house. Avoid temptations like being close to the buffet and stick around friends in a healthy diet plan.
4. Make smart choices
Dieting is not always comfortable. You will find yourself craving that fast food, especially when you are hungry. Make smart choices like simple substitutions as well as discovering healthy snacks that will help you remain on track. You can also find healthy ways to enjoy your favorite snack, for example, trying whole grain bread instead of white bread. In addition, regulate your serving to avoid the temptation of eating more when there is a lot on your plate. Differentiate a portion and a serving, and learn to keep your portions reasonable.
5. Avoid liquid calories
As much as eating healthy is concerned, we tend to turn a blind eye to liquid calories and end up taking more of them. Drinking sugar-sweetened juice, tea, soda, or even alcohol leads to the consumption of hundreds of calories. All these are called empty calories since they give extra energy without any nutritional value. It’s easy to take more calories with sweetened drinks as one can consume a lot at a time. So, unless you are making a smoothie to skip lunch, stick to water or unsweetened coffee. You can flavor your water with a splash of orange or lemon to make it more fun. Don’t mistake dehydration for hunger. One can often satisfy hunger between meals with a glass of water.
Final thought
Starting a weight-loss journey is not easy. It requires sacrifice and discipline for successful results. Try to make it easier by joining others with the same goal to find motivation. Whether it’s that morning run group or a company of those in a diet plan, the journey to successful weight loss will be easier with someone around.
Tags: Diet, fat loss, health, lifestyle, lose fat, lose weight, weight loss
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