So, is dieting (and other painful procedures, which we'd rather not name) the only way to fit into those trousers marked 'S' or maybe 'M'? Of course not. Shedding those extra kilos needn't be a harrowing experience. Small but sustained changes to your lifestyle can do the trick. But no, they cannot help you lose weight overnight. Here are five amazingly simple tips that can be your stepping stone for a healthier and fitter life.
Tip 1: Never Skip Breakfast
"When you have something for breakfast, you're not going to be starving by lunch."
- Bruce Barton
"Breakfast like a King," said our ancestors. This adage holds a lot of scientific and gastronomic truth if you are keen on maintaining the perfect weight. A full, healthy breakfast gives you enough energy to start your day with vigor and vitality and prevents you from getting mid-hour hunger pangs. Eat whole grains, cereals and fruits to supply your body with enough nutrients to carry on till lunch.
Tip 2: Add. Don't Subtract!
"I like food. I like eating. And I don't want to deprive myself of good food."
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
Add a variety of new, healthy food options, rather than removing foods from your list. Limiting the portions of carbohydrates and refined stuff and adding fruits, green veggies and high-fiber foods does the trick. Don't kill your cravings. But don't binge. A small portion of your favorite snack is not going to derail your weight-loss plans.
Tip 3: Don't confuse between thirst and hunger
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."
- Mark Twain
Your body needs around 1.2 liters of water a day. More, on a hot day. Most of the times when our body is thirsty, we confuse it with mid-hour hunger and give ourselves a reason to snack, when all we require is a glass or two of water. Water also gives our stomachs a sense of fullness and prevents you from stuffing food that is not wanted.
Tip 4: Sniff an apple and stare at blue
"When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state."
- Swami Vivekananda
This is not a joke. Seriously. It's all in the mind. Research has shown that when people sniff on foods like a banana or an apple or even peppermint, the mind is tricked into believing that you are actually eating the food. Also, the color blue acts as a hunger suppressant. So why not try keeping an apple and a blue scarf or handkerchief in your purse or bag?
Tip 5: Walk
"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is fourteen days."
- Totie Fields
This may sound elementary but it is the best way to get some physical exercise. A 45-minute walk can give you sufficient amount of exercise to help you burn a lot of calories. This could help you shed up to around 15 kilos of body weight in a year. And that too without any fancy diets or mindless food controls.
Motivation to lose weight is pretty important when you embark on this journey. But losing weight need not be a battle. It could be an "everyday thing." An active, conscious lifestyle is all that is needed to enjoy life to the fullest.
Also, don't forget to buy a health insurance policy to safeguard your future & finances.