Developing healthy habits is essential for successful weight loss, but you don’t have to make drastic changes to your routine to achieve your goals.
We’ve put together a list of eight easy-to-implement daily habits that can help you shed those extra pounds without feeling overwhelmed.
1. Never skip meals
Skipping meals = weight loss is a giant myth. Skipping meals triggers your body’s stress points and increases the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, leaving you feeling jittery or worse hangry. Skipping meals can also cause your metabolism to slow down, which in turn affects your body’s daily functioning.
2. Avoid the temptation
We all have food triggers that eventually end up derailing us from our fitness track, at least in the very beginning. The easiest way to not succumb to it is by avoiding temptation. Don’t stock up on foods that you know are detrimental to your cause. Remember that fitness is a way of life, a mindset, not a quick obstacle for you to overcome. Avoid temptation now so you can enjoy your favourite foods, guilt free once you find your path.
3. Practise a holistic approach towards fitness
A lot of people set unrealistic goals for themselves at the very beginning of the year. They commit to the goals that others took three, maybe four years to ascertain. Don’t compare yourself to others. Practice a holistic approach towards fitness and do the things your body and mind are capable of doing at any given moment. Don’t push yourself over the edge for a number on the weighing scale. It’s not going to be worth it in the long run.
4. Give your body and mind time to rest and recuperate
Rest and recovery are as important as challenging your mind and body. Ensure you treat yourself to a cheat meal and no-workout days after every couple of days.
5. A good night’s rest will do wonders for your body
Poor sleeping habits aid weight gain and unhealthy eating habits. It triggers the production of cortisol that may cause a spike in your appetite. How can I ensure I sleep better? We breakdown here.
6. Clock in 10k steps a day
If you’re not able to invest in a workout regime, try to clock in 10k steps a day. Walking is the best form of ‘free’ physical exercise that also helps preserve lean body muscle. We list the very many benefits of walking here.
7. Surround yourself with like minded people
Surround yourself with people who stan your fitness goals and motivate you to complete that last rep of your workout and not put you down. This helps in cultivating a positive mindset.
8. Believe in yourself
Lastly, don’t give up because your friend gave up on their fitness resolution. Believe in yourself. You can do whatever you set your mind to!