Losing weight takes a lot of dedication. But all you need to do to begin with is set your mind to the task. And then it all goes from there. While regular exercise is important, here are some simple things to keep in mind. Incorporate them into your daily routine and begin to lose weight faster.
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1. Plenty of Water
Hydration is the key to keep your metabolism on track. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day. One trick is to drink a full glass of water every hour to make sure you meet the required intake.
2. Keep a Food Journal
You are more likely to be conscious of what you eat if you keep a track of everything you have. When you jot the record of food eating habits in the journal, you will reconsider having that extra piece of cake. Food journals also help you keep track of your daily food habits, which you can review and alter regularly.
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3. Do 30 Minutes of Cardio At Least 5 Days a Week
Hitting the gym every day is not necessarily possible. But try to do at least 30-45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week. This could be as simple as skipping, jogging or rigorous Surya Namaskars, whatever works for you. But get that heart pumping!
4. Include Weights At Least Twice a Week
While cardio helps burn calories, weights are also important for toning and burning off fat. Try to hit the gym twice a week to do weights. Alternatively you can buy a pair of free weights and do some light workouts at home as well.
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5. Sleep 8 Hours a Day
One of the primary reasons people find it difficult to lose weight is the lack of sleep. A good night’s sleep is essential for your body and mind to relax and free itself of the daily stress. Sleep early or sleep late, but make sure to sleep for at least 7-8 hours daily. It may not seem to be a great tip, but it goes a long way when you want to get your body to shed the extra kilos.
6. Find An Exercise Buddy to Motivate You
Exercising is hard and not meant for everyone. But one strong motivation is having a fitness buddy. Find someone and set a goal together. Then push each other to achieve it. Put a bet, keep the stakes high. Knowing you need to win will make you strive to get up every morning.
7. Drink a Glass of Hot Water After Every Meal
Your body begins to convert the consumed food into fats, especially when you eat at odd hours. Keep in mind to drink one glass of hot water after every single meal. This not only improves digestion, but also helps melt away all the unnecessary fats stored in the body.
8. Leave the Dining Table While You Still Have Some Room in the Stomach
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Portion control is very important if you want to lose weight fast. They say 60% of weight loss is dependent on the diet. Instead of stuffing yourself to the brim, leave the table when you still have some room left in the tummy. It may take some time to get used to, but as the habit builds, you feel better both physically and mentally.
9. Do Some Chores If You Can’t Work Out
Is it one of those mornings when you just can’t make the time to work out? Well do some chores instead. Sweep or mop the floor. Or maybe do the dishes. Believe it or not all these activities give your body one strong workout. As you bend to mop the floors you are working the lower abs, and your arms as well. Scrubbing dishes also does a lot to tone those biceps and triceps.
10. Avoid White Foods – White flour, White Sugar, White rice, White Pasta
Avoid white at all cost! All white foods are processed and need to be laid off – white bread, pasta, white rice and refined sugar. Find healthier alternatives instead like brown bread, wheat pasta and brown rice. They are richer in nutrients and much better for overall health in the long run as well.
11. Restrict Your Sweet Tooth to the Morning Slot
If you are someone who needs a dose of sweetness every day, try to restrict the sweet consumption before 11 am in the morning. Your metabolism is at the optimum soon after you wake up, and the sweets are less likely to be converted straight to stored fat, and will be used by the body to draw energy instead.
12. Try the HIIT Workout
High Intensity Interval Trainings (HIIT) are very effective if you are trying to shed those kilos. HIIT workouts involve doing short bursts of rigorous activity to push your body into burning calories. It may include a run which consists of short jogs combined with sprints every 1 minute or even jogging combined with 30 seconds of on-the-spot skipping. Find the intensity workout that works best for you. There are many options available.
13. Split the Dessert
That piece of cake does look tempting after a gorgeous meal, but should you? Shouldn’t you? That is the question. Easy – just split it. Instead of two portions, share a dessert with your BFF or your significant other. So you had the satisfaction of a delicious meal but without the guilt of over doing the dessert. Everybody wins!
14. Keep Fixed Meal Timings
As far as possible, try to maintain your meal timings and stick to them. This will help your body adjust and be prepared for the times it will be fed. Consistency further helps boost metabolism which in turn keeps your weight in check.
15. Many Meals, Small Portions
Don’t skip breakfast, instead eat a fruit. Then have something again two hours later. Make it a habit to eat something every few hours. Have small meals, but more in number whether it is a simple cracker with peanut butter or a bowl of muesli. Not only will it help you in losing weight, it will keep you energised and feeling more positive through the day.
Here are some good exercises that you can do at home without any equipment. Give it a go daily, and get ready to see yourself lose weight fast.
Get set for the 30 day ab challenge and get a killer torso:
Toning up the full body has never been easier than with this simple at home workout routine:
So, are you ready to get set and lose weight?