Long hours at the gym and restrictive diets are tough to maintain when you want to lose weight. Our budgets and busy schedules might not allow us to attend spin class every morning and nosh on organic food and green juices. Although exercise is important for good health, there are easy ways to lose weight without stepping foot into your local gym. Don’t get demoralized! Only a few slight changes to your daily routine can be enough to slim down:
1. Use Smaller Plates.
It’s natural to want to fill up your plate, but by using a smaller one, you can fill your plate and still cut down on the amount of food you end up eating. You actually trick your mind into thinking you ate more than you did since your plate looks so full.
2. Take The Stairs.
It may seem daunting, but taking the stairs instead of an elevator can tone your tush in no time. It’s strength training without actually hitting the gym, so opt for stairs the next time you need to head up a few flights!
3. Don’t Eat in Front of the TV.
When you’re distracted, you’re not paying attention to how much food you’re consuming. Researchers have found that watching TV while eating leads to higher calorie consumption since you’re eating without thinking. Be especially mindful while snacking so you can avoid packing on extra pounds.
READ MORE: 9 Sneaky Reasons Your Belly Fat Won’t Budge
4. Drink “Skinny Cocktails.”
Happy hours and boozy brunches are fun but they can lead to over-indulging on high-caloric cocktails. Try these calorie-cutting hacks for healthier cocktails instead!
5. Get More Sleep.
Studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, a slower metabolism, and an increased risk of obesity and diabetes. So, clock in an extra few hours of shut eye to ensure you keep your waistline slim and your energy up.
6. Don’t Deny Yourself Sweets.
Denying yourself your favorite snack will only make you crave it more. We always want what we can’t have!. Instead of cutting out sweets entirely, allow yourself to indulge in that fun-size bag of Doritos or two scoops of gelato once a week. That way, you won’t binge on your favorite treats if you fall off the wagon once or twice (which, by the way, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about — it happens). You can seek out low-calorie dessert options, such as this low-cal healthy cheesecake.
7. Down a Glass of Water Before Meals.
It’s easy to confuse hunger with thirst, so drink a glass of water before a big meal to ensure you’re not simply thirsty. A glass of agua will make you feel fuller so you won’t eat as much during your meal.
READ MORE: What Is A Healthy Weight For Me?
8. Learn to Love Green Tea.
Save those Frappuccinos for an occasional treat and learn to love the green stuff — no, not money, tea! Green tea is known to reduce belly fat, boost metabolism and help digestion, so drink up!
9. Limit Going Out to Dinner to Eat.
Unlimited breadsticks, anyone? It’s nice to treat yourself to a meal out with friends every once in awhile, but restaurant portions are always much bigger than anything you would normally make at home. Save the night’s out for special occasions so you can indulge within reason.
10. Eat Sitting Down.
Studies have found that eating while standing up is not only bad for digestion, it actually leads you to consume more calories. When standing up, you eat food more quickly, so you’re more likely not to realize how full you’ve actually become. Take a few minutes to sit down and enjoy your meal.
11. Don’t Drink Your Calories.
You might be sabotaging your own diet plan without even realizing it! Drinking high-calorie beverages might not seem like a big deal at the time, but at the end of the day it adds up. Your morning Starbucks latte has an average of 265 calories, your afternoon soda has 227, and your evening ice tea has 180. When all is said and done, you’re approaching nearly 1000 calories in drinks alone! One of the most easy ways to lose weight is to replace your sugary beverages with water.
12. Walk Everywhere.
If you just can’t seem to squeeze in a workout sesh at your gym, torch a few extra calories by choosing to walk as much as you can. Take a walk around the office at lunchtime, or skip the bus and walk to work. Walking increases cardiovascular health and strengthens muscles. Studies have even shown that it may even be just as good for you as running!
13. Ditch the Sweatpants.
News Flash: You know those glorious, ultra-comfortable, 10-year-old pair of sweatpants you love so much? They are not your friend. They’re “the leading cause of divorce” (according to Eva Mendes), and also have been sneakily playing a part in fattening you up. Sweatpants are the most forgiving piece of clothing out there — which is why we love them when we feel bloated before our periods, but not so much when we’re minding our weight. Jeans, on the other hand, will tell you right away if you’re bursting with food and help you say “no, thanks!” to seconds.
READ MORE: How to Lose Belly Fat
