Guest Author: Jamil Smith
Everyone wants to lose weight fast but a lot of people don’t know where to start. These days there are a million and one health tips out there and it can be hard to know which ones to follow. It seems like you hear a new “magical” tip every day that’s supposed to be the cure-all for your weight loss goals.
Today we’re here to discuss some of the best weight loss tips that have passed the test of time and have helped countless people lose weight and reach all of their health and fitness goals.
A general rule of thumb is if it sounds too complicated it’s usually not worth your time. The simple fat loss tips below are for anyone and everyone interested in losing weight and maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle.
#1 Make a Colorful Plate
Everyone likes a little bit of variety right? Well, why not take advantage of all the phytonutrients in leafy green salads, carrots, beets, and peppers? When you add an assortment of colorful vegetables to your plate it can have a positive effect on the amount of food you consume while supplying you with a wide range of different vitamins and nutrients. If you’re looking for tips on how to lose weight naturally, this is an extremely easy weight loss tip.
No matter what vegetables you choose, following this simple tip ensures that you do not fill the majority of your plate with high-calorie foods. Loading colorful vegetables on your plate in addition to lean protein will also satiate your appetite while maintaining a balanced diet. This is an excellent way to spark your metabolism and maintain a fat burning diet.
#2 Be Mindful of Alcohol Consumption
The holidays are over and that means it’s time to hop back on the wagon! Well, you don’t have to go completely cold turkey, but reducing the amount of alcohol you consume starting the New Year is a great way to work off all those extra calories you’ve been consuming over the last four months. Consider setting goals for yourself such as only drinking one day a week or a single glass of wine with dinner.
Another great option to ensure that you do not consume too much alcohol is to match every alcoholic drink you have with a glass of water. Not only will this keep you from consuming too many liquid calories but it will save you a lot of headache in the morning.
#3 Don’t Drink Your Calories
Although most of us know that drinking alcohol in excess can lead to weight gain, many people are unaware of the hidden calories in some of the most popular flavored drinks. I think we’ve all seen the athletes in commercials drinking Gatorade and Powerade during a tough game. The truth is unless you are engaged in very strenuous physical activity, drinking sugar-filled flavored drinks and sports drinks can lead to unwanted fat gain. Want to know how to avoid these types of drinks? Read the label.
The two most important areas to be considered are labeled “Calories” and “Sugar”. If the drink you are curious about contains more than ten calories or two grams of sugar it’s a poor choice for your weight loss plan.
#4 Don’t Confuse Hunger with Thirst
Before you reach for the bag of potato chips or an extra slice of pizza, have a glass of water first. It sounds strange, but people often mistake hunger for thirst. Aside from the benefits of staying hydrating, drinking water before and during meals ensures you quench any thirst you may have before consuming any needless or excess calories.
#5 Plan Out Your Meals for the Week
Meal prepping is the number one way to stay on track with your weight loss goals. If you aren’t prepping all your meals for the week, you need to start doing that right now. Not only does meal prepping save you a huge amount of time not having to prepare every single meal you eat, it is also a great deterrent for staying away from unhealthy choices. The next time your office buddy asks you if you want to grab a few slices of pizza for lunch, it will be a lot easier to resist the urge when you know you have fully prepared healthy meals in the fridge that you don’t want to waste.
#6 Eat Protein With Every Meal
Many people forget to follow this tip and it can save you a lot of calories. Protein keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time and is more satisfying than both carbohydrates and fats.
A major benefit of including protein at every meal is that it will make you think twice about snacking on poor food choices such as chips or sweets. When you know you have to have protein at every meal, opting for beef jerky instead of one of those poor choices will save you endless empty calories. This is one of the most simple and effective weight loss tips out there.
#7 Cardio
Cardio is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy physique and is an easy way to lose weight fast. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease and weight gain. Regular exercise has proven to have a positive effect on counteracting cardiovascular disease, promoting weight loss, reducing bad cholesterol, and can even help reduce high blood pressure. Aim for engaging in three to four, one-hour sessions, of cardio a week.
One tip is to make sure that you choose a type of cardio that you enjoy. There’s no need to dread staring at the wall on a treadmill for an hour. Get outside and go for a run, play tennis, jump on a trampoline, or do anything that makes you happy and makes you sweat.
If you’re looking to lose weight quick, alongside a healthy diet, cardio is the secret to losing pounds of fat in no time.
If you’ve ever struggled to find the best tips on how to lose weight, you’re not alone. There is so much misinformation out there that it’s easy to get confused and not know where to begin. Losing weight is all about sticking to a plan and having the mindset of achieving your goals no matter what obstacles lie in your way. The tips above are easy ways to lose weight fast and start off 2018 happier and healthier.
With over two decades of experience in the health and fitness industry, Jamil Smith is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and author of The Healthy Diet Solution.
