When it comes to weight loss, everybody seems to have the perfect answer. The truth, however, is that there are no magic answers to help you lose weight faster or permanently. Weight loss takes work and you need to commit to making lasting changes. Still, there's no need to rely only on willpower to lose weight. Small changes and a few tricks can help you lose weight without suffering in the process.
Make One Change a Week
One problem with extreme diets or diets that promise quick results is that you rarely can sustain the changes required for the long term. Instead of trying to completely change your eating habits at once, try introducing one single change every week, so you have time to get used to it. For example, concentrate on switching to whole grains on the first week and on replacing your croissant habit with a healthier breakfast the following week. Having a strategy to slowly introduce changes will help you change your lifestyle more effectively, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Try the Unusual
If the typical methods of cutting down on calories or eating low-fat, low-sugar foods are not working, it might be time for some mind tricks. Reader's Digest recommends eating from blue plates, as the color blue reduces appetite. Or try switching to smaller dinner plates, so you can serve yourself less food but trick your mind into believing you're eating a full serving.You can also try eating near a full-size mirror. Seeing yourself while eating might encourage to control your food intake and keep you focused on your goals.
Choose Your Drinks Wisely
Water should be your drink of choice when trying to lose weight. If you can't stand its plainess, try seltzer water, either alone or with a couple tablespoons of juice mixed in for flavor. According to Reader's Digest, the average American drinks up to 90,000 liquid calories in a year, which equals 25 pounds. These calories come mostly from sodas, juices and other high-calorie drinks. Liquid calories are not as satisfying as calories from food, so you're likely to eat the same amount than you would if you were drinking water. Making your own iced tea or coffee also helps, so you can skip creams, syrups and other extras that add calories.
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