Maintaining your weight doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Keeping your weight in check is as simple as leading a balanced life and knowing the tricks to cutting calories and staying in shape. Here are ten simple tips to stay slim throughout the year.
1. Stop eating before you are full. Once you are satisfied, stop eating, even if there is still food on your plate. Many people feel that they should finish their food no matter what but this can make you eat anywhere from 100-300 extra calories that your body really doesn’t need.
2. Take a walk. Take a walk each and every day, even if you are just walking around the block a few times.
3. Keep hydrated. Drink water at least once an hour-keep a full water bottle with you at all times to make sure you are always hydrated and are not mistaking thirst for hunger.
4. Plan Ahead-plan out your healthy meals and snacks to avoid buying high calorie and high fat foods at the last minute. Make your meals and snacks the night before you go to work which not only saves you time in the morning but forces you to eat these healthy meals during the day.
5. Don’t diet. Dieting will only lead to yo yo eating and making you feel like you are depriving yourself. Many people who diet lose weight only to gain it back eventually. Stick with a nutritious meal plan that is balanced and works for you but is not restrictive.
6. Eat spicy foods. Spicy foods can increase your metabolism and curb your hunger killing two birds with one stone. Keep your fridge stocked with peppers and hot sauce to add to meals.
7. Splurge on pre cut veggies or fruit at the supermarket. Even though they are more expensive, you are far more likely to eat healthier if everything is prepared for you.
8. Snack regularly. You should have a snack mid morning and mid afternoon to keep your blood sugar levels even and keep you from crashing or feeling hungrier later on. Snacks should be 100 calories or less and should be something like a piece of fruit or a cheese stick.
9. Start every meal with a salad. Eating a salad before the meal may decrease calorie consumption up to 12%!
10. Blot out the fat. If you are eating greasy food such as bacon or pizza, try using a napkin to blot the fat off before you eat it. It may not seem like much but if you do this with every greasy meal you will save yourself about a cup of fat throughout the year.
