Weight loss tips

 

Weight Loss

Before we jump into our weight loss tips, it is important for you to understand some of the biggest factors that contribute to weight gain in the first place. Some of the most common causes are; a lack of physical activity, eating too many discretionary or high energy (calorie) foods, simply eating more than what our bodies need and yoyo dieting.  

So, now that you understand some of the reasons why you might gain weight, here are our top tips to help you lose it. 

  1. Increase your fruit, vegetable and wholegrain intake - these foods are packed with fibre which will help keep you fuller for longer. You can add them to bulk up your meals, without adding in a whole lot of extra calories.
  2. Eat mindfully - Ask yourself if you are truly hungry or if you might be eating in response to something else. For example, fatigue, boredom, loneliness.
  3. Plan your meals ahead of time - having a meal plan can be a great way to stay on track. It can take the guesswork out of what and how much to eat.
  4. Ditch the scales - constantly weighing yourself can have a negative impact on your mental health and can slow your progress. If you are looking for ways of tracking your progress other than weighing yourself take some photos, think about how your clothes are fitting differently and if your energy levels have increased.
  5. Stay hydrated - try to aim for 2.5 - 3 Litres of water a day. If you find water boring add in some fresh fruit or vegetables such as berries, lime or cucumber to add some extra flavour
  6. Watch your portion sizes - we recommend filling ½ your plate with vegetables, ¼ with a good quality source of protein and a ¼ with wholegrains or starchy vegetables like potato or corn. 
  7. Cut back on junk food - discretionary foods like pastries, chocolate and alcohol contain lots of calories with very little nutritional benefit for you. Its best to enjoy these foods in moderation.
  8. Get active - try and aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. This can be a walk, cycle or yoga session.