Lose Weight Without Dieting
By Debra Rodzinak
No one likes to diet. When we are hungry, we suffer. If you have found that the pounds have crept on over the holidays and now you're looking for ways to lose weight without dieting, try these tips.
Slow Down
Grab a timer and set it for 20 minutes. Savor every bite and find pleasure in the foods you are eating. Overeating can be avoided when you slow down.
Sleep
Adding an extra hour of sleep per night can help you lose 14 pounds in one year. That equates to over a pound a month from extra slumber! Experts think that the extra hour of sleeping helps cut down on idle activities like mindless snacking.
Vegetables
Offering more vegetables at mealtime allows for a greater intake of vegetables, which leads to weight loss. Foods high in fiber and water fill you up with fewer calories. Season vegetables with herbs or lemon juice to cut down on the added fat of salad dressing.
Soup
Broth-based soups fill you up while decreasing the caloric intake. Eat soup at the beginning of a meal to slow eating and trick the stomach into thinking it is fuller. Just beware of the sodium contained in canned soups and the fat and calories in cream-based soups.
Whole Grains
Eating whole grains fill you up and can lower cholesterol. Many tasty products are now made with whole grains such as pizza crust, tortillas, pasta, and bread.
Bacon
Unfortunately, one of my favorite foods is banned. Two strips of bacon eaten on a sandwich or at breakfast adds 100 calories to a meal. In addition to the increased salt, eating bacon daily can slowly add up to a 10-pound weight gain over the course of a year. Instead, replace the bacon with tomato slices, banana peppers, or a light smear of herbed goat cheese.
Pizza
For the pizza lovers, the good news is that you do not have to give up your favorite Italian food. However, switch from meat to vegetables for a lower calorie topping. Use reduced-fat cheese and thin crust for a healthier food option.
Drinks
One soft drink contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. Sipping on soda during the course of a day can lead to an extra 450 calories, which equates to 2 1/2 pounds of added weight per month. Replace those sugar-filled drinks with seltzer water and add lemon or mint for flavor.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
