If you have a hard time eating enough fruits and vegetables, try juicing them.
Meat and fish are excellent sources of protein. You can also get protein from eggs, lentils, beans, cheese, yogurt, whole nuts and nut butters.
Processed foods can also be addictive. It might be hard to cut them out at first, but once you get used to eating real food, you’ll be glad you did.
Diet sodas are not helpful for weight loss either. Studies have shown that people who drink diet soda regularly are more likely to gain weight than people who don’t. [4] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
If you find plain water too boring, add some fruits (e. g. lemon, lime) or herbs (e. g. mint) to it for added flavor.
Eating small snacks between meals is helpful for some people. If this helps prevent you from overeating at meals, go for it! For the best results, try a protein-packed snack that is 200 calories or less.
It might also help to eat a little slower, so your body has a chance to begin digesting and can let you know when it has had enough. Practice what is known as “hara hachi bu,” which means eating until you feel about 80% full.
Try thinking more about the healthy foods that you will add into your diet than the bad foods you will eliminate. Also, try to find healthy foods that you genuinely enjoy eating. If you do both of these things, you may not even crave unhealthy foods anymore. Instead of depriving yourself of the foods you love, allow yourself a little indulgence once in awhile. In fact, deprivation can lead to overeating, so it may be healthier to give in to your cravings every so often. This means you can still eat chocolate or bacon, as long as it’s in moderation.
Use this information to cut your calories by a safe amount. A modest reduction in calories, combined with a modest increase in activity, can go a long way in helping you reach your weight loss goals. Never consume less than 1,200 calories per day unless you are instructed to do so by a doctor and you are under medical supervision. To help you keep track of your calories on the go, try downloading a mobile app such as MyFitnessPal.
Ramp up your healthy eating habits by making sure everything you eat is high in nutrients and vitamins. Try to cut out foods that cause inflammation. Common culprits are alcohol, grains, and sugar. Instead, eat lots of green vegetables. This should leave you looking and feeling less bloated in a pinch.
Assess your activity level by wearing a pedometer. This will give you a good idea of how much you are already moving during an ordinary day and how much activity you need to add into your daily routine. A combination of different types of exercise is ideal because it will allow you to focus on different muscle groups.
