Losing weight can seem like an impossible goal, but it’s not as hard as you might think! With the right combination of diet and exercise, plus lots of patience and determination, it’s possible to slim down in no time at all! Here are 10 ways to lose weight that will help you burn fat faster than ever before.
1) Eat more plants
Vegetables and fruits tend to be lower in calories than other foods, meaning you can eat more of them. They’re also rich in fiber, which helps slow digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. Most vegetables and fruits are good weight-loss bets. Aim for at least five servings a day (this means eating at least three servings of veggies and two servings of fruit). If you’re trying to lose weight, about half your plate must be filled with non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.
2) Get some sleep
A lack of sleep can make it difficult for your body to regulate hunger, making you more prone to overeating. Studies have shown that getting too little sleep—especially on an ongoing basis—can lead to a slower metabolism and can cause you to pack on pounds in general, rather than just around your waist. Make sure you’re sleeping seven or eight hours a night so that your body has a chance to repair and rest (and unpack those extra pounds). The National Sleep Foundation recommends these tips for better sleep.
3) Add in good fats
4) Limit alcohol and added sugar
Many of us enjoy a glass of wine or some ice cream in our free time. However, both of these have a lot of calories, and if you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll want to avoid them. Sugary drinks can make your cravings go wild and prevent you from making healthy choices about what to eat for lunch or dinner.
5) Get moving
If you’re looking for weight loss tips, your best bet is to increase your physical activity level. Increasing daily calorie burn can help you lose weight and may reduce your overall body fat percentage as well. If you’re not ready for a full exercise program, try adding some active time throughout your day by parking further away from work or taking breaks at work for a few minutes of walking around each hour. Looking for a more intense workout?
6) Say no to diet foods
When we want to lose weight fast, we often opt for diet foods. Foods marketed as diet are almost always low in fat and sugar, but that’s not what helps you lose weight. What will help you is eating nutrient-rich whole foods that keep your appetite satisfied for hours at a time and naturally boost your metabolism?
7) Try intermittent fasting
There’s no silver bullet when it comes to weight loss, but there are ways that you can work with your body instead of against it. Intermittent fasting is one strategy that may help. It involves restricting your food intake, either by time or by calories, on certain days of the week (or both). Researchers who have tested intermittent fasting in people have found it usually leads to weight loss and improvements in blood sugar control, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels over time.
8) Cut back on processed foods
Because processed foods are so highly calorific, you need to cut back on your intake of them, particularly fast food and convenience meals. These types of meals often comprise a lot of simple carbs and fat with very little nutritional value, meaning that when you eat them you’re likely going to get hungry shortly afterward. To drop these extra pounds safely but quickly, switch to a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables.
9) Go on a keto diet (for some people...)
The keto diet is short for ketogenic. It's a nutritional plan that can change your body from burning carbohydrates for energy, to burning fat and producing ketones (hence keto). This results in weight loss and usually leads to better energy levels among other benefits. Some of those benefits include increasing mental clarity, lowering blood sugar levels, reducing food cravings, suppressing hunger, and much more.
10) Start tracking what you eat
When you write down everything you eat and drink, you’re more likely to stick with healthy eating habits. It also makes it easier for your doctor or nutritionist to figure out why your body isn’t responding as well as it should. Although that’s often a matter of genetics, there are several steps you can take now—like recording every morsel of food that passes your lips—to give yourself an edge.
