There are a lot of weight loss articles out there that delve into complex issues like calorie counting and complex carbs versus simple carbs and after a while all the detailed, and often conflicting, information can leave your head spinning.
These articles can make the whole weight loss process seem so difficult and overwhelming that many people just give up and don’t even try to lose weight.
But having excess weight is bad for your health. It can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which in turn increases your chances of suffering a stroke. It can also lead to high blood sugar (diabetes), high cholesterol and heart disease.
Here are eight simple things you can do to start losing weight. They are easy to do. They take no complex thoughts, no massive amounts of willpower. Anybody can do them. Then once the weight starts coming off, maybe you will have the motivation to make even bigger changes that can lead to even more weight loss.
Tip #1: Eat at the table
Most people these days eat their meals from in front of the TV or computer. This is bad because you can go into a trance of sorts while watching the TV or computer and end up eating way more than you would have at the table.
Tip #2: Eat slowly
It actually takes a while for the stomach to signal your brain that it is full. By eating slower you will consume less “unnecessary” food. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly and really taste your food. Eat too fast and you will strain your stomach and intestines and possibly create uncomfortable indigestion, bloating and cramps.
Tip #3: Drink less while you eat
Drinking more than 4 ounces of liquid with a meal dilutes stomach acid and digestive enzymes causing you not to digest your food well. Instead drink water 30 minutes before a meal – this will also help you feel fuller so you will eat less.
Tip #4: Eat while relaxed
If you eat while you are tired, upset or stressed can lead to improper digestion of food which can lead to more fat being stored on your body.
Tip #5: Eat your heaviest meal earlier
That’s right, don’t save your heaviest meal for dinner, instead eat a heavier lunch and a light meal at dinner time. This will allow you to more easily digest your food in the evening – having digestion finished before going to bed allows for optimum cellular cleansing and rebuilding during sleep.
Tip #6: Graze instead of gorge
Start eating more smaller meals and less big meals. Eating smaller meals frequently throughout the day helps keep blood sugar levels steady and ensures that you have good energy all day long.
Tip #7: Start listening to your body
Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. Many hunger pangs are caused by thirst instead of actual hunger. By listening to your body and eating when you are really hungry instead of when it’s the time that you normally eat can lead to significant weight loss.
Tip #8: Get a good night’s rest
Numerous studies have shown that getting less than 5–6 hours of sleep per night is associated with increased incidence of obesity. There are several reasons behind this.
Research suggests that insufficient or poor-quality sleep slows down the process in which the body converts calories to energy, called metabolism. When metabolism is less effective, the body may store unused energy as fat. In addition, poor sleep can increase the production of insulin and cortisol, which also prompt fat storage.
How long and how deep someone sleeps also affects the regulation of the appetite-controlling hormones leptin and ghrelin. Leptin sends signals of fullness to the brain while ghrelin tells your brain you’re hungry.
Without a properly functioning leptin and ghrelin, you’re constantly hungry and nothing you eat will ever make you full – double whammy.
So, sleep more and sleep well.