Healthy Eating Habits to Lose Weight
By Donna Stark
When it comes to weight loss, the general rule of thumb is that you want more calories going out than what is coming in, or in other words, you need to eat fewer calories than what you burn off during exercise. Seems pretty simple, right? Well, it is ... if you like math and food deprivation. But some people don't and many diets fail because of this. When you stop looking forward to meals because you spend all of your time counting calories and measuring portions, when you skip social events because it becomes too difficult to fit those "magic numbers" into your diet, it's time to try something new. And fortunately, there are some easy tips to follow that can help you take control of your weight.
Forget the Extremes
Thank goodness there are simpler ways to take control of your eating habits without going from one extreme to the next. And by simpler, I mean you are still allowed to eat. You may need to change some of your eating habits, but the end result will make it all worth it! Take a look at a few suggestions on how you can change your routine at the dinner table so that fewer calories are making it in.
- Slow down - Slow down while eating! Give your body the time it needs to realize it has had enough and to signal that message to your brain. Put your utensils down between bites, engage in a discussion, or mentally divide your plate into sections and take a break from eating when you get through each one.
- Decrease distractions - Eating while multitasking is a great way to consume more food than you wanted, so turn the television off, power down your computer, and disengage from social media. Give your full attention to the delicious meal that is right in front of you. Who knows? You may even enjoy it more!
- Plate your food - Eating your chips, pretzels, or cookies from the bag makes it more difficult to know exactly how much food you are actually consuming. So instead of getting that dust over your entire arm, why don't you just plate your food? This forces you to choose your portions before you start eating and helps you avoid eating too many calories!
- Drink more water - Oftentimes, our bodies become confused and when we think we are hungry, we are actually only thirsty. So make sure you drink plenty of water during the day because in addition to reducing that feeling of hunger, it's also a great replacement for those sugary drinks.
Eating Wisely
Improving your nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight shouldn't require a degree in math, so stop trying to reach those magic numbers and give yourself a break! With just a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you can control your caloric intake and feel satisfied without any additional stress or deprivation.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Marcos, Calif.