12 Simple Tips To Lose Weight That You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

According to Times of India, the winter is the most common season to pack on the pounds and the summer is the most likely one to shed them. This could be due to the fact that the colder temperatures inhibit produce growth, which ultimately impacts our diets, or because the shorter days cause us to be less active. Regardless, if your clothes feel a bit tighter right now than normal, you’re not alone. If you’re aiming to lose a few pounds, then read the not-so-groundbreaking (but also not-so-obvious) tips below. 

1. Toss the Junk Food

Don’t make your goals harder than they need to be. Instead, be your own ally and get rid of tempting sugary snacks or junk food around the house. Out of sight, out of mind!

2. Cut out Creamer or Sugar From Your Daily Coffee

If you’re an avid coffee drinker, altering your go-to morning brew could help you shed a few pounds. Consider swapping out sugar and flavored creamers for milk or other unsweetened dairy-free alternatives. Or drink it black!

3. Eat Breakfast Within 30 Minutes of Waking Up 

The “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” mantra is more than just a saying, it’s a fact. According to WebMD, eating breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up will help kickstart your metabolism, which will help you burn calories throughout the day. It’s important to choose high-protein breakfast options like Greek yogurt, overnight oats, or steak and eggs to provide your body with the energy and nutrients that it needs.

4. Say “No” to the Breakroom Treat 

Snacking, or eating between meals, is known to cause weight gain because it’s added calories that will throw off your appetite and eating schedule. Sometimes a snack is necessary, but oftentimes, we reach for snacks out of boredom, stress, or some other motive aside from hunger. 

5. Stop Eating After 7pm

According to Harvard Medical School, late-night eating can lead to weight gain because our bodies produce less leptin, a hormone that controls satiety, in the later hours of the day. Research also found that our bodies cannot burn calories as quickly at night and will store extra calories as fat instead of as usable energy. Refrain from having that midnight snack and instead save your appetite for the morning! 

6. Trade in Wine for Tequila/Tonic

While delicious, wine is not the best alcoholic drink option if you’re trying to lose weight. This is because it’s high in sugar and calories. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a 5-ounce glass of wine is 125 calories. Try a tequila and tonic instead, and you may just see a lower number on your scale. 

7. Swap out a Bun for a Lettuce Wrap

Everything is okay in moderation, but bread and buns are high-carb foods that offer very little nutritional value. Reducing your intake of these types of foods will help you lose weight. Replace your bun with a lettuce wrap the next time you’re making a sandwich, taco, or burger, or try a whole grain option instead.

8. Plan and Prep Your Meals

Planning what to eat for each meal will help you combat cravings and snacking throughout the day because you have an idea of when and what you’ll eat next. Better yet, if you meal prep, you’re much less likely to impulsively order takeout or stray from your plan because your food is already there, ready to eat. Meal prepping also requires you to box up specified quantities and could help you avoid overeating. 

9. Reduce Your Serving Size

It may not be what you’re eating, but how much you’re eating. Consider cutting your portions down, especially when you go out to restaurants. If you find yourself asking for a to-go box more often than not, that’s a sign that you’re eating the proper amount. You could even ask for the to-go box when you first get your food and set some aside for later so you’re not tempted to overindulge. 

10. Find a Social Activity That Doesn’t Revolve Around Eating

This could be a challenging one, especially if you have food-loving friends. But it is possible to have a date night or girls’ night without having food be the main event. Some ideas include watching a movie, going to a workout class, shopping, listening to live music, or taking a walk. 

11. Get Plenty of Sleep

This one may come as a shock, but research has shown that a lack of sleep can cause increased appetite in many individuals, and those who get less sleep are more likely to eat high-carb and high-sugar foods. Staying awake later or longer than your body can handle may lead to an imbalance in your circadian rhythm which can affect metabolism as well. Make sure you’re getting proper sleep so that your appetite and metabolism stay unharmed.

12. Stay Hydrated 

Another unlikely hack to help you lose weight is to drink lots of water. Staying hydrated will help you burn more calories and may even suppress your hunger. Of course, you’re going to have to do a lot more than just drink a lot of water to lose some weight, but it’s a good trick to keep in mind.

Closing Thoughts

You don’t have to ban sugar and carbs from your diet or spend hours in the gym each day in order to lose weight. Restricting yourself will only lead to more intense cravings and higher burnout rates – as well as a possible dip in your mental health. These 12 simple tips will work wonders for your weight goals. But the key to success is consistency. Be patient, and know that your body will not transform overnight. 

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