Let’s face it – a lot of us regret having all those treats and meals during the holiday season. In fact, we’ve already signed up for a gym membership as a part of the number one New Year’s resolution – losing all that holiday weight gain. It’s time for diets, clean eating and a lot of hard work at the gym! Yes, getting fit is never easy nor simple. However, there are some simple activities and things you can do daily to lose weight and improve your health. While you’re dedicated to your strict meal plan and workout routine, don’t forget to follow these tips.
Drink More Water
Although this is such an obvious fitness tip, a lot of people don’t seem to take it very seriously. Staying hydrated can help you lose weight faster, and it’s good for your overall health as well. Try to drink around two liters of water a day and create a daily habit by setting up reminders or having a water bottle within reach at all times.
You can also make infused water – just chop up your favorite citrus fruit and add a few pieces in your bottle for some extra refreshment. In any case, don’t wait to get thirsty – have a glass of water right now!
Portion Control
You might be eating the right foods, but are you having the right portion sizes? Keeping track of your calories is extremely important when it comes to weight loss. For example, eggs are amazing for losing weight, but adding 6 whole eggs to your omelette won’t get you too far. So although you’re trying hard to eat only healthy foods, you need to make sure you don’t eat too much.
It’s best to find the right serving size for you and track your food intake every day.
Be active
Your physical activity for the day shouldn’t end at the gym. Try to stay active and keep moving as much as possible! Instead of going on a short drive to the grocery store, have a walk.
Try to ride a bike to work if the weather (and distance) allows it. Take your dog on longer walks, join a dancing class, go swimming, do yoga every morning… There are so many fun activities to choose from! Pick your favorite and get your blood going every day. It will help you lose weight faster and improve your physical and mental health.
Get enough sleep
Being sleep deprived can actually reverse the effects of your hard work and slow down the weight loss process. Getting enough sleep every night is crucial for your health and well being. Try to maintain a regular sleeping pattern and go to sleep/wake up at the same time every day, and make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep. This sleep schedule will keep your body strong and ready for burning some calories!
Meditate
Although meditation takes zero physical effort, it does make wonders to your body and mind. The positive effects of meditation are well known, and it takes no equipment and just a couple of minutes to do it. So why not try it? Spending 5 minutes of your morning in meditation will help you get more focused and balanced. It will give you the strength of mind and patience every weight loss journey demands, and help you maintain a positive attitude. Do this every day and you’ll notice a difference in no time!
Stay motivated
It’s not a secret that having a positive mindset can get you far, and this can be applied to pretty much anything in life. However, staying fit and losing weight is very challenging, mostly because it takes a lot of time to notice some results. When you’re putting in time and effort, or as people like to say “blood, sweat and tears” and there’s no positive outcome, it’s very easy to get unmotivated and quit. This is why staying positive is very important for any weight loss journey. Look for inspirational quotes, photos and videos, listen to your favorite motivational songs, or start your morning with a daily mantra that will help you stay positive throughout the day.
Losing weight takes a lot of hard work, determination and patience. Yet, it’s not impossible. You’re already on the right track, just stay consistent to your routine and the results will surely start to show!