How to Gradually Lose Weight Without Constant Vigorous Work Outs
Losing weight does not mean that you always have to hit the gym, especially if you only have about five or ten pounds to drop. There are ways to curb your eating without feeling like you are going on a diet, meaning you don’t have to survive on salad without dressing for months on end. You can make small changes to your meals that will add up to a big weight loss.
Research has suggested that reducing your calorie intake by 100 calories a day will add up to you losing ten or more pounds a year. These are results without any addition of an exercise program. If you want to learn how to cut calories efficiently, below are some easy tips to follow.
Create Mood Lighting
As odd as it may seem, eating in dim lighting actually curbs how much you eat and allows you to better enjoy your meal. A study done at Cornell University found that people who ate under lower lighting consumed 175 less calories than people who ate under harsh, bright lights. Although it is not for sure known why this happens, it is suspected that our brains have learned to associate fluorescent lights with fast food, which equates to eating as much as you can in a short period of time.
Go To Bed
People who do not get enough sleep tend to eat more than well rested folks. The Mayo Clinic found that getting less than six and a half hours sleep caused people to over eat as much as 500 calories. This is due to the hormone ghrelin rises when you are sleep deprived. This causes your appetite to increase and cause cravings for sweet, carby foods
Believe in Yourself
The way you perceive food is going to help you be more successful at eating healthy. If you have the mindset that you can’t drop the pounds, then you will probably keep on the weight due to a self fulfilling prophecy. If you believe that you can reach your weight loss goals, then you are way more likely to follow through with the plan you have set for yourself.
Cut Out Sugar
This doesn’t mean to never indulge in a sugary snack, but keep those treats far away from your pantry so they aren’t tempting you on a regular basis. When you are seeing the visual of junk food it is way harder to say no than if it is just in your imagination. Chances are you won’t go drive to the store and buy a candy bar, but you might eat half of the one in your cupboard.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Jake Stimpson