Losing weight can be really tough – especially given the huge amount of information available on this in every corner of the Internet, and especially given that not all of this advice is actually good.
Where do you start? What does it really take to lose weight and keep it off?
Sadly, there’s no secret recipe. There’s no magic pill you can take, nor is there an ingredient that will simply make those pounds vanish.
This is not to say there isn’t anything you can do – on the contrary, actually. There are a lot of things you can do to lose weight – and following, we have gathered 5 of the most important ones. Read on and find out more.
Eat Your 5 a Day
The more fruits and vegetables you eat, the more weight you will lose. This is not any kind of sorcery – it’s simple math. Most fruits and veggies contain a lot less calories than your average snack. An apple has around 100 calories, for example (as opposed to a candy bar, which can go as high as several hundreds of calories).
Plus, eating a lot of fruits will replenish your body with all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly – so it’s really important to get enough of these foods even if you don’t want to lose weight.
Drink Water
We cannot emphasize this enough, but drinking water can change everything. Not only will it make it easier for your body to get rid of all the water it’s been retaining, but water has zero calories. A can of coke has about 140 calories, for example (not to mention it has a lot of unhealthy sugar, additives and it doesn’t actually hydrate your body!).
Focus on Complex Carbs
Contrary to the popular belief, carbs are not evil. It’s just that you have to make sure to eat the right ones – such as whole grains, beans, green vegetables, peas, and so on. These foods will give your body the energy it needs to move through the day (plus, they are rich in fiber, which improves digestion, a very important factor in weight loss).
Focus on Healthy Fats Too
A lot of people believe they have to avoid fat altogether – but that is just a misconception. A lot of fats are actually essential to the good functioning of the body. Moreover, they fill you up and keep you less hungry, providing you with plenty of energy to get through the day. Thus, by eating these fats, you are far less likely to overeat.
Forget about All Magic Diets
There’s no such thing. Some diets work on some people because it helps them keep the calorie intake under control – but that doesn’t mean all fad diets out there are actually healthy (nor does it mean that they will keep the weight off once you start eating “normally”).
Instead, keeping a healthy diet focused on the aforementioned principles and exercising regularly will help you lose weight and keep it that way. It’s the hard way, but it’s the best way!