Sound impossible? I do not think so. You'll find plenty of opportunities to slip these easy weight loss tips into your routine and watch the numbers on the scale go down. If you've already started losing weight, these tips will maximize your efforts and accelerate results. The bottom line is that one pound equals 3,500 calories. Whether you make slight changes to your diet or increase exercise levels, a deficit of 500 calories a day will result in a loss of about a pound a week for you without really trying! Here are some tips you can try:
• Chew a piece of gum. Researchers recently found that chewing sugar-free gum all day increases your metabolic rate by about 20%. It speeds up the digestive system, burns more calories and sometimes stops a craving. This method alone could help burn more than 10 pounds per year.
• prepare a lunch. Breastfeeding a lot (5 or more times a week) can cause you to eat more than if you eat dinner less frequently.
• Sprinkle flax over your cereal. High fiber flaxseeds can help curb your appetite and also eliminate calories. You can add it to yogurt, a muffin or your oatmeal. It is readily available at health food stores or online.
• Brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth after a meal seems to send a signal to your body that you're done eating, and it makes your breath feel fresh without relying on gum and mints made with sugar that can make you crave something sweet. You can also brush your teeth instead of eating when you feel like eating something you shouldn't.
• Get rid of remote controls and other labor-saving devices. You could easily burn a lot of extra calories a day if you stop using the TV/VCR remote control, garage door openers, electric can openers, horse mowers and other things made to reduce manual labor .
• Smell your food. When you're really craving something like a fresh cookie, try this little trick to satisfy yourself: Indulge in the smell for 30 seconds, then place a small bite on the tip of your tongue for another 30 seconds. Savoring the smell and taste can help you control food.
• Post inspirational messages. To keep you on track and motivated, place quotes in strategic places where you might need motivation: on the fridge, TV, car dashboard, or your computer. Some suggestions: "Eat to live; don't live to eat" and "Nothing tastes as good as thin sensations."
• Eat more soup. Start your lunch or dinner with soup and it can help you eat less during the main meal. The soup helps curb your appetite and also forces you to eat more slowly. You are more likely to pay attention to what you are. Eating soups are low in fat and calories such as broth-based soups. Avoid creamy soups like clam chowder or cheese and bacon. Choose vegetables to work in some additional nutrients.
• To drink a lot of water. Drinking about eight glasses of water each day slightly increases your metabolism and allows your body to avoid retaining extra fluid. Drink a glass of water before and during each meal and before and after workouts.
• Do not skip meals. Eating small, frequent meals helps balance your calorie intake throughout the day and also keeps your blood sugar balanced. Instead of eating 3 large meals, try eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day. This way, you won't overeat at meals because you're less hungry. Skipping meals hurts your dieting efforts because it causes your body to hold its stored food instead of burning it.
• Stop avoiding exercise. Think about how you can work more activity into your life. Why not park your car further from your front door at work or the mall? Take the steps towards your apartment or office instead of the elevator. Walk to someone's office in another department to ask them a question instead of emailing them. You can even wear a pedometer and set a goal to walk a certain number of miles per day.
• Reduce caffeine intake. Reduce your caffeine intake to lose weight faster. Caffeine causes an increase ine insulin in your body which stops the burning of your stored fat. It's a simple chemical reaction in your body that you can easily change by eliminating caffeine.
• Plan your diet. Have a snack, such as fruit, an hour before going to a planned party or dinner. This way, you'll feel fuller and less likely to overeat.
Keep researching your weight loss goals. The small changes we make every day that will make a big change in the long run!
