We’ve all tried different weight loss methods that leave us constantly fantasizing about whatever we are depriving ourselves of. Here are some helpful tips for how to implement healthy habits into your life without having them take over your life.
1. Plan Out Your Meals
Photo by Madison Piacentini
It’s easy to turn to unhealthy and quick meal options during the week, but having some sort of meal plan/structure in place can help ensure that you’ll make healthy choices even if you’re busy. Some like to have meals planned out 1-2 weeks in advance, but a lot of people also prefer to plan meals for 3-4 days at a time and get fresh ingredients along the way.
The whole point is to have a plan, because when you know what’s available for you to eat, you’re less likely to be tempted to be lazy and order a pizza. Check out this Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning on MyFitnessPal’s website for some helpful tips.
2. Take Time to Make Time for Your Meals
Photo by Anirudh Yalamanchali
As often as you can, eat your meals while sitting down at a table without any distractions. I know how awesome it is to make yourself a nice ass dinner or snack and take it straight to your bed or the couch, but this tends to lead to overeating. By sitting down at a table, you are more in tune with your body and will be able to feel when you are getting full. Our lives all get busy and we don’t take time to refuel properly, but it’s so important to take the time to focus on what you’re eating, how much you’re eating, and how it makes your body feel.
3. Drink More Water
Photo by Madison Piacentini
I know, this one is annoying. I’ve been told that this helps with weight loss so many times, but I never listen and just get annoyed when people tell me to do this. Find a cool water bottle and infuse that shit with fruits and herbs if you have to. I don’t care how you do it, just do it. I’m not an expert on the science behind it, so check out this article on Women’s Health website that provides some actual expert knowledge on the benefits of drinking more water.
4. Reduce Casual Drinking
Photo by Madison Piacentini
I know that #TuesdayBoozeday and #WineWednesday are fun and all, but is it worth the calories to drink during the week when you could use that time more wisely? I hate to sound like your mother, but if you’re trying to watch your weight but don’t want to be on a full-on diet — those weeknight drinks are not doing you any favors. I won’t nag you any more than that with this piece of advice, but here’s an article that explains why alcohol is bad for weight loss in greater depth.
5. Plan Ahead Before You Go Out to Eat
Photo by Meagan Dow
I live to go out to eat, and this is my biggest weakness when it comes to watching my weight. I always come up with reasons to justify unhealthy choices when I dine out. These mussels that are soaked in butter are healthy because there’s no carbs right? Is butter a carb? You shouldn’t deprive yourself of eating out, but try to plan ahead if you do.
Have a snack before you go and look at the restaurant’s online menu and decide on a healthy option. By having decided on your meal choice and curbing your hunger with a snack before you get there, you’ll be more likely to avoid making irrational decisions.
6. Limit How Much You Go Out to Eat
Photo by Rachel Davis
Having said all of that about planning before you eat out, it really is smart to limit how much you do it. Going out to eat means giving up control over ingredients, and we don’t always realize how many unhealthy ingredients are used to make the “healthy” options on the menu. No restaurant is going to prepare things in ways that are healthy if it means it won’t taste as good. If you’re trying to watch your weight, try to limit the amount of times you go out to eat.
7. Increase Movement Even If It’s Not By “Exercising”
Photo by Michelle Zabat
I am the QUEEN of making excuses as to why I literally just CAN’T EVEN exercise. One thing you can do is check out this article that lists some ways to increase movement every day and try to work them into your daily routine. Also, download the app called “7 Minute Workout Challenge.” It shows you how to fit twelve exercises into seven-minute intervals using a built-in timer and how-to videos. If you avoid the gym as much as I do, this is an idiot AND bullshit-proof way to force yourself to exercise when you “can’t” go to the gym.