Okay, dear reader, we’re taking 2015 by the horns. Sure, we may have had one too many Christmas cookies over the past month (okay, maybe the whole box), but we’re declaring that it all stops NOW! Let’s get ourselves looking and feeling better in 2015. What do you say—you in? Really, how great would it be to be prepared for beach season before it rears its ugly head? We’re in this with you. So let’s come up with some strategies to help us reach our goals…
Portion Control
Keeping portions(opens in a new tab) to a smaller serving size can be tough, especially when restaurants provide heaping helpings. The best method to prevent overindulging: plan ahead. Before you head to a restaurant, check out their menu online and decide ahead of time what you are going to order to prevent last minute temptations. Another tip is to ask for a box when your meal comes to the table, and immediately put half of it in a to-go box for your next meal. If you have trouble oversnacking at work, put your meals and snacks in presized containers.
Stay Hydrated
We cannot reiterate this one enough. Drinking water has been proven to help weight loss efforts(opens in a new tab). Set consumption goals to remind yourself to keep the aqua coming. Drink 2 cups of water before each meal to fill you up, or drink out of a 2-liter bottle to help you keep track! In addition, drinking tea(opens in a new tab) also helps you consume H2O with some added health benefits.
Rid Your Body of Sugar
One of the best things you can do for your health is reducing or avoiding sugar(opens in a new tab). Your body does not need sugar in the form we typically eat it. Yes, your body uses glucose, but any carbohydrate you eat is broken down to glucose, so vegetables and grains give you everything you need. Simple carbs like candy, cola, and fruit juice are unnecessary and cause weight gain(opens in a new tab), sluggishness, and many other problems in the body. Eliminating sugar from your diet will help you sleep better, feel more energized, experience happier moods, and flaunt better skin and hair—the only thing to lose are the pounds!
Talk to a Professional
It’s okay to ask for help! Take your concerns to a dietitian, who has the medical background to help you make the most successful plan for your overall wellness. Working with a professional will help you learn why you should and shouldn’t eat certain food. It also helps to have someone to check in with about your weight loss.
Do you have any weight loss success stories? We want to hear how you did it! Comment below:
