It’s a record-breaking summer and there’s nothing like a heatwave for motivating us to get in shape! With some positive changes you can achieve your weight loss goals and we are here to help you. Recent studies show that 48% of adults in the UK have tried to lose weight. However, with so much information out there, it can be tricky to find reliable advice on how to lose weight. We’ve written these 5 tips to guide you and to keep the pounds off afterwards too. That’s why we’ve put together our top failsafe weight loss tips to start your journey to feeling fit and healthy.
1. Eat Slowly
They say you are what you eat, but it’s also about how you eat. Did you know that that ‘full’ feeling after a big meal isn’t actually caused by your stomach being full? It’s actually a signal from the brain, in reaction to the chemicals released when you take in food and drink. It can take up to 20 minutes for your brain to register these chemicals and tell you that you’re full. That means if you slow down, chew properly and drink plenty of water, you can reduce your portion size and avoid overeating.
2. Cut Back On the Booze
If you’re looking to get in shape for the summer, reigning in your alcohol intake could be a great place to start. A pint can contain up to 180 calories (about a slice of pizza) and a large glass of wine could hold over 220 calories (a small chocolate bar). When you drink alcohol, your body converts it into acetate, which is burnt before any other energy stores. This means you inhibit your body from burning existing or stored fats, making losing weight especially challenging. And that’s before taking into account the less-than-ideal nutritional choices made after a couple of drinks!
3. Plan Your Meals
All our worst dietary decisions come when we’re tired, stressed, short on time or disorganised. A key step on your journey to losing weight will be taking back control and planning your meals in advance. In particular if you lead a busy life, meal planning helps you get the nutrients you need and avoid the foods you don’t. At first, following a nutrition programme like Reset can help you put healthy meals together. By having a healthy breakfast and prepping in advance, you can avoid that late night pizza and those naughty treats.
4. Avoid Refined Carbohydrates
There are proven strong links between refined carbohydrates and weight gain. If you’d like to lose a few pounds for the summer and beyond, cutting down on certain foods. We suggest cutting the likes of white bread, pasta, fizzy drinks and rice could be an effective place to start. These foods are all highly on the glycemic index, so they only keep you full for a short period of time, until you feel a drop in blood sugar levels and you’ll look for more food. Not all carbs are bad though – replace refined carbs with energy-boosting options like beans, lentils and porridge to feel fuller longer.
5. Try HIIT for your weight loss
Of course, to lose weight you’ll need to focus on nutrition, but don’t forget that regular exercise is also vital. You’ll see the best results from high intensity forms of activity, such as HIIT workouts which are proven to burn 25-30% more calories than some regular workouts. Not only that, the higher intensity of the exercise means your body continues working to return to its normal state long after your session has ended – meaning bonus weight loss!
Be good to your body and it will be good to you: now’s the perfect time to make positive changes towards a healthier lifestyle. Follow these simple tips this summer to realise your weight loss goals and see the results you’ve been looking for.
To help with your weight loss journey, sign up for a free trial at One Element here.
