If your goal this year is to lose weight, you have probably already started with your diet and exercise routine. However, the problem with these sudden resolutions is that they make you change your lifestyle drastically, which is not always easy.
That’s why you should start by doing smaller things and building up towards your goals. We asked experts from Maximum Fitness Vacaville to share some simple and effective ways you can help yourself achieve your weight loss goals, without extreme changes in your life.
Limit Your Eating Time Frame
You may have heard of this tactic before – only eating at certain parts of the day. However, what you may not know is just how important that is.
Your metabolism and your digestive system have a kind of a rhythm that you need to listen to. What this rhythm is depends on the person, but typically, it is best to have all of your meals in a time window of 10-12 hours. That means no late-night snacks and no early morning breakfasts.
Intermittent fasting, as this method is sometimes called is effective, but it probably needs to be complemented with an active lifestyle and regular workout.
Food Toppings Might Be Your Problem
Many people learn to count calories in an attempt to manage their food intake. Calorie counting is a great way to motivate yourself to be more aware of what you eat, but you do need to do it right.
One thing people often forget is to count in the toppings. When you eat a salad, don’t forget to count in the topping (some of which may contain your daily dose of many things, including sugars and fats).
Choosing to eat healthier foods is a great step towards a healthy life, but you need to make sure you are not sabotaging yourself inadvertently.
Choose the Right Foods
Perhaps the most important thing is to know which foods to eat and which to avoid. However, you also need to make sure that you won’t resent your diet after a while. There are foods which are both amazingly tasty and fairly healthy.
One such food is avocado, which is full of important nutrients with very little negative aspects. Similarly, most personal trainers will recommend eating chicken for your protein requirements.
Beet juice and beets in general are an excellent source of iron and can boost your blood flow, which can be very helpful when exercising heavily.
Choose the Right Supplement
Most people take some kind of supplement. They can provide us with whatever our body needs the most, and we don’t get from our food.
However, it is still important to know what kind of supplement you need. That’s why it makes sense to visit a doctor or a nutrition expert and find out what nutrients you are missing.
Some fitness professionals recommend an all-in-one supplement which will ensure that you get everything you need. However, this blanket approach is not necessary if you know what your body needs the most.
Another thing you need to consider is the type of training you intend to do to aid your weight loss. Light cardio twice a week cannot be compared to, let’s say HIIT 4-5 times a week or TRX strength workout.
Drink Water If You Are Thirsty
One of the most important things to remember is that water is the best drink to have if you feel thirsty. Even though we are constantly bombarded with countless energy drinks and similar products, you should remember that water contains everything you need to quench your thirst.
Most of the drinks on the market are full of sugar or other ingredients which certainly won’t help you reach your fitness goals.
All in all, one thing you should remember is that real and lasting change only comes with time and through small steps. So, make your first small step now, and work towards your fitness goals and a healthier lifestyle.