Weight Loss 101: Tips and Tricks to Help You Shed Those Pounds

1. Start the day with black tea

There’s nothing quite like sipping a warming drink when you get up in the morning. Many of us reach for a coffee, but what if there were a better option? A new study from The University of California, Los Angeles, suggests that decaffeinated black or green tea may be the best drink for those looking to slim down quickly and easily. In fact, the results of the research suggested that both of these teas help to support weight loss.

2. Quit driving and using public transport

If you happen to commute to work, you may be all-too used to hopping on the bus or driving to your office. While these may be the quickest ways to get where you need to go, they’re by no means the healthiest. Why not walk to work instead? Doing so will save you money and means that you will get a quick burst of exercise in the morning too. If you have to wear business attire, never fear! Walk in sneakers and bring work shoes to change into, or try high heel toe inserts to make the whole thing more comfortable.

3. Drink water before meals

You may have heard that drinking water before meals helps you lose weight, but is there any truth in it? In short, yes. In a study published in the National Institutes of Health, research results suggested that drinking water and dieting worked best for losing weight when compared to dieting alone. The idea is that when you drink a glass of water before you eat a meal, you can prevent overeating. (Staying hydrated is also one of the best ways to stay healthy, so it’s win-win!)

4. Get a good night’s sleep

Sometimes, dozing off to the land of nod can be a trial in itself. If you’re already eating healthily and exercising, but getting nowhere, your sleeplessness could be to blame. According to a study by the University of Chicago Medical Center, cutting back on the amount of sleep you get can limit the benefits of dieting, i.e. it can stop you losing weight even though you’re trying hard. Making sure that you get a decent night’s rest has a wealth of health benefits, not least helping you to lose weight.

5. Use a smaller plate

The larger your plate, the more you eat. It may sound overly simplistic, but not everything has to be hard to understand, you know? Research has suggested that the size of the plate, bowl, and even spoon you use can impact how much you end up eating. The takeaway is that if you use a small plate, such as a side one, you will find that you can best control your portion sizes. If you tend to struggle with overeating, this could be the way to go from now on.  

6. Stock up on healthy snacks

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Needless to say, mindless snacking can often lead to weight gain. It hardly takes a genius to realize that the more sugary, salty treats you eat, the more pounds you’ll pile on. If you find yourself snacking when you feel stressed or bored, there’s something you can do to help. Fill your cupboards with healthy food, like fruit, nuts, and whole grain cereals. That way, when you next crave a treat, you can reach for something diet-friendly, rather than something high in calories.

Guest post was written by Joe Flemming from Vive Health