Weight loss tips

If you have been trying to lose weight for a while but it just doesn’t seem to be shifting then it could be the case that you are making a couple of easy mistakes. Little things you don’t even think about could be ruining your chances of dropping that dress size or just toning up a little, so try some of the following tips to help you improve your chances of success.

Observe what you are eating:

Many people add to their calorie intake without knowing it, just by simply snacking or forgetting some things they have eaten throughout the day. The best way to ensure you don’t make this mistake is to get any packaged foods out and put them in a bowl or on a plate and put the packet away. By dipping into a bag of food you are not taking a conscious note of how much you have eaten. Keep a food diary to back this up and you could soon see any extra little things that might be affecting your weight loss.

Think about what you drink:

You may think sticking to just water is safe, but ensure your water is chilled and not at room temperature as this can help to speed up calorie burning. Also, add a little lemon or ginger to enhance taste and help detox your body. If you are partial to alcohol limit yourself and stick to red and rose wine which can help reduce the risk of some major illnesses. Beer can also help give you B vitamins, just don’t drink too much! If it is coffee or tea you are partial to, then make sure you use skimmed milk or, even better, switch to drinking green tea which still contains caffeine but also stimulates fat oxidation.

Watch out for salt:

Salt is one of the worse things for your body, not only can it damage your health but also makes you more hungry and thirsty. To season a meal then opt for spices which enhance flavour – chilli and cayenne pepper are particularly good for helping fulfil you and cut down food cravings. Lemon, garlic, ginger and salsa also help you detox without expanding your waist line. Also, make sure you cut down on salad dressing; this can one of the main sources of fat you digest.

Organise meals:

Organise healthy meals in advance and freeze them if you don’t have time to cook fresh food every day. Pack yourself lunches for work to keep track of exactly what you eat and also help curb your spending. You’ll also have more time to eat slowly and savour your meal, that way you won’t overeat. When at home try and eat at a table, away from distractions, so you can pay attention to your food and notice when you are full.

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself! Allow the odd treat throughout the week and you will crave food less and savour what you have more. Try replacing sugar cravings with fruit or sugar-free gum and you will soon find your weight dropping but your cravings fulfilled.