Would you ever try to push a starving lion into a cage when it’s in the middle of a hunt?
No one would dare, yet that’s exactly what people do to their bodies when they diet. They can restrict for a few months to lose body fat, but most dieters binge once they reach their goal weight. Once they release the hungry beast, there’s no more coaxing it back into the cage.
The reason why millions of Americans yo-yo diet is because they only want fast results. In order to avoid the dangerous pitfalls of yo-yo dieting, you need to make healthy lifestyle changes that are sustainable.
Eating 1,000 calories a day will get you results, but they will be fleeting. If you want to learn how to make small changes in your life to reap huge rewards, incorporate these 10 tips into your daily routine.
1. Make Sleep a Priority
If you want to know how to make a lifestyle change easily, getting more sleep is something everyone can enjoy and do with little planning. Adults should aim for at least 7 hours, but striving for 9 is optimal.
The reason why sleep is linked to weight loss is because our bodies go through a lot of maintenance while we rest. Without adequate sleep, your body won’t be ready to function healthily the next day.
When we don’t sleep, our hormones get unbalanced. In order to compensate for the lack of energy, our bodies crave more energy from food, which leads to overeating. Getting more sleep is the easiest way to lose weight.
2. Stop Drinking Soda
Your new lifestyle diet should focus on drinking water whenever you can. This may sound like a disaster for people who love soda with every lunch. However, soda is like a drug to your body.
You can start by cutting out one soda per week until you wean yourself off. Once you’re able to break your addiction, you’ll be amazed by how incredible you look and feel.
3. Practice Yoga
What is the difference between a diet and a lifestyle change? Diets have a negative connotation due to their restrictive nature. Lifestyle changes mean treating your body and mind kindly.
The biggest act of kindness you can do for yourself is to pick up yoga. Yoga is one of the best exercises because it combines physical activity with meditation. After a session, you’ll feel toned, stretched, and relaxed all over.
There are also practices for any level available online for free. There’s no excuse not to try!
4. Walk Whenever You Can
People have the notion drilled into their head that you need to hit the gym hard every day to lose weight. While some people thrive on daily, high-intensity exercises, most people can’t stand it.
Walking deserves more credit. On top of weight loss, there are tons of health benefits to enjoy.
Small changes to lose weight could include parking farther away in parking lots, choosing stairs over elevators, and taking a lap around your neighborhood after work.
5. Limit Your Consumption of Animal Products
There’s a reason why veganism is gaining immense popularity around the world. On top of incredible weight loss, people report lower cholesterol, improved energy, and have lower risks of cancer.
Americans are eating too many saturated fats. The culprit is animal products like cheese and red meat.
While you don’t have to make the full switch, even going meatless once a week can boost your weight loss efforts tremendously.
6. Eat Real Sugars
Sugar has no nutritional benefits to your body, so you should mostly avoid it. However, having a healthy lifestyle means occasionally feeding your soul, too.
If you’re going to indulge in a little treat, then go for the real stuff. You may think that “diet” foods or “zero-sugar” foods are healthy, but they’re usually worse than natural sugar.
7. Include Soup or Salad with Meals
Eating a cup of soup or a side salad before your lunch and dinner can give your brain more time to catch up to your stomach.
Since these foods have a high volume, they fill your stomach up quicker for fewer calories. You’ll also get a nice dose of nutrients from the vegetables.
By the time you start your main course, you’ll be less likely to overeat.
8. Meal Prep on Weekends
One of the most clever lifestyle changes to lose weight is meal prepping. Finding the time to cook a healthy meal from start to finish after a long day of work is challenging. Instead, cut your time down by doing most of the legwork before the week starts.
Preparing your own lunches and having them ready to grab each morning can save you from the trap of ordering unhealthy takeout.
9. Eat Enough of the Right Calories
Dieters fail because they starve themselves. Though you may be able to fight the need for food, your body’s instincts will eventually win.
Out of desperation, your body will crave some of the unhealthiest foods because those are the most calorie-dense.
Be nicer to your body by giving it enough fuel. Whenever you’re hungry, eat! Just make sure you’re getting your calories from healthy sources so you can avoid a binge later.
Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are ideal sources of energy.
10. Want These Healthy Lifestyle Changes
You can’t help someone until they’re ready to help themselves, right? You also can’t be healthy until you’re ready to commit to making these changes.
It’s hard to break bad habits, but you may find that the idea of change is a lot worse than taking action. Look deeply into your own goals, fears, and emotions to understand the reasons why you want to become a better, healthier person.
Lifelong wellness means staying in tune with the connection between your body and mind. Remember to remind yourself of all the goals you want to accomplish on days you don’t feel as motivated.
Ready to Look and Feel Your Best?
ChiroThin Weight Loss Program helps people make the healthy lifestyle changes necessary for lifelong wellness. If you want to know how our doctor-supervised program can help you lose up to 35 pounds in under two months, read more about how it works.