5 easy ways to lose weight
Losing weight can feel like an uphill struggle for some of us. With some of our friends on high-protein diets, others low-carb, some intermittent fasting and some swearing by the slimming coffee on social media, it can be hard to decide what to do and what is the truth.
If we may start from the basics, which are: conventional obesity is caused by an overconsumption of calories and weight loss comes from the creation of a calorie deficit. Therefore, by creating a calorie deficit we can find a sure-fire away of losing weight without indulging in any fad diets altogether. Here are five ways you can do this:
1.
Before serving yourself, fill half of your dinner and lunch plate with vegetables.
Vegetables, whilst being lower in calories, provide us a plethora of vitamins and minerals which are essential to our overall function. By swapping out many ingredients with vegetables we can fuel ourselves and enjoy the benefits of more fibre (which keeps us feeling fuller for longer), water and a reduction in calories.
2.
Fill a third of your plate with protein.
Protein has a high satiety rate meaning that you feel fuller for longer. Protein is also essential for healing your cells and for the creation of new cells. Studies show us that a healthy amount of protein in each meal is more effective than a large amount of protein in just one meal.
3.
Go for a walk daily. Not only can you create a calorie deficit by reducing the number of calories you consume but you can also create a calorie deficit by increasing the number of calories you burn. Going for a brisk walk for a minimum of thirty minutes can help you increase the number of calories you burn. Ensure your walk is a semi-challenge rather than a restful stroll which can help you to strengthen your heart.
4. Expend more energy by increasing your N.E.A.T. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. Some great ways to increase your NEAT:
- Rather than relying on someone else to get you that cup of green tea, walk to the kitchen and make this yourself.
- Walk around the office / home when making a call for work or leisure.
- Stretch daily and even hourly if you can.
- Walk to the gym, supermarket, pharmacy, hairdresser, shop or anywhere you go, if you can.
5. Reduce and/or eliminate the additions to your meal such as cooking oils, dressings, condiments and beverages.
1 tbsp oil has approximately 120 calories per tbsp.
1 glass of soda or juice can have 160 calories.
1 tbsp of peanut butter has 100 calories.
1 tbsp mayonnaise has 101 calories.
By eliminating these from your meals or reducing the quantity per day, you can save lots of calories and thus create a calorie deficit.
Whilst there are lots of other strategies you can integrate to lose weight, these strategies make a great start for you to create and maintain your calorie deficit. Start with these five changes and do them consistently for four weeks whilst taking your body measurements weekly. You won’t see changes by doing this for a day or two and letting go for another day or two.
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