You might assume that the faster you lose weight, the better. However, there is certainly a right and wrong way to do things here. Contrary to popular belief, losing too much weight too fast is possible and can have detrimental consequences for your general well-being.
Many Americans reported undesired weight gain last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Desperation to get back in shape was felt strongly, and no doubt many of these feelings transitioned into the new year. Still, the measured approach is the best one, allowing your body and mind to keep pace with one another.
It is important that you do not overcompensate and hit the weight loss regime too hard. Here are some things to help you lend more finesse and effectiveness to your efforts.
Have Good Intentions
People are becoming more body-conscious. More acceptance is being shown for everyone, irrespective of their shape and size.
However, influences like social media have warped the minds of many young people, introducing them to an onslaught of problems such as body dysmorphia. It is not just the youth who can be spurred into bouts of self-hatred either, as social media can cause feelings of inferiority amongst all its users.
There is no shame in wishing to shed a few pounds. That said, it is important that your actions come from a place of self-love and not self-hatred. View your efforts as a way to improve yourself rather than erase all memory of who you currently are.
Mindset is everything in a weight-loss regime. Realistic expectations can then be set, and you can chart your progress without panic or sadness. Moreover, you will not be in any type of rush to succeed, enabling you to experience a more healthy and sustainable approach to weight loss.
Eat Breakfast
It might seem counterintuitive to eat more as part of a weight-loss regime. However, breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a series of credible reasons.
For example, a healthy and filling breakfast will numb your desire to snack throughout the day. That means dodging chocolate and cakes becomes rather a lot easier, which is great news if your willpower needs improvement. Moreover, you will also benefit from the nutrition that comes with a healthier breakfast, helping you to build muscle instead of fat.
It is worth mentioning that the research around breakfast is fairly inconsistent regarding weight-loss health benefits. All the same, it can be argued that you have a structured, healthy, and consistent meal plan, it will contribute at least in part to your weight loss goals. Try not to put all your chips on a single strategy, though!
Develop an Eating Schedule
Of course, it is not all about breakfast. You need to eat multiple meals throughout the day to sustain yourself. Additionally, the amount of food one should consume can be somewhat relative, and there is no hard consensus on the best meal frequency for physical health.
Therefore, you largely need to take your circumstances into account. If you are frequently warding off cravings, or the urge to overeat, then you need to adjust your consumption schedule accordingly. Frequent and consistent meal times will mean that you will at least burn calories faster.
A more informed approach is possible too. For example, Ingredient Optimized’s article on how often you should eat sheds more light on these matters. They provide an idea of what a weight loss eating schedule could look like. Furthermore, the company offers a few considerations if you wish to eat to improve your physical performance. Nutrient timing for athletes is vital, and this company can guide you through each phase of that effort.
As you are now aware, there are many changing and relative variables regarding losing weight on the eating side of things. After all, food influences each eater differently, and some people’s metabolisms are better than others as well. Do your best to stay informed and pair all the latest guidance with your own personal circumstances for the best possible results.
Check Label Information
Some consumable products can look healthier than others just from their packaging. That said, everyone knows that marketing claims and imagery can be deceptive.
The best thing you can do is read the label information on the consumables you consider purchasing. You can check how much fat and sugar is within these goods, both as individual units or per portion where appropriate. Try to read through everything carefully, and you should be able to more acutely control a healthier eating plan.
You may also be able to find further guidance on things like serving sizes, as well as information around protein, carbohydrates, and cholestral. Labels can sometimes elaborate on how the food can become part of your daily diet in a healthy manner. For example, there may be claims about food being one of your five a day.
Look for this data on the back or side of the packaging. If any of the label is torn or faded, look for the same product that has one firmly intact. It might seem inconsequential to breeze over this information occasionally, but if you are serious about losing weight, then labels needed to be considered on every grocery trip.
Drink More Water
When it comes to losing weight, most people focus on watching what they eat and keeping fit. However, what you drink will have a huge impact on your goals too.
It is called a ‘beer belly’ for a reason. The more alcohol you drink, the more weight you can expect to put on. The answer to this problem is to drink more water, which has scientifically-backed results in aiding anyone’s weight loss journey. Women should aim to drink 2.7 litres of water per day, while men should add another litre on top of that.
Of course, the good news here is that water is freely available and a human right, no less. You will not find it difficult to get some, which means this element of your regime should be almost effortless. Stay hydrated regularly, and it will help you significantly on your weight-loss journey.