Try this...
- Always start a meal with a glass of water: You'll stay hydrated and feel fuller instantly, which can help you from overeating.
- Make a few simple swaps at every meal: Going for a
vinaigrette dressing instead of a Green Goddess dressing at lunch can
save you 80 calories, while opting for fresh fruit instead of dried can
save you dozens as well.
- Have a piece of dark chocolate for dessert: Instead of opting
for the cookies in the break room, quiet your sugar cravings with a
piece of dark chocolate. It may not feel quite as satisfying the first
few times, but as you wean yourself off your sugar addiction, you'll be
glad you're saving calories while having a healthy yet decadent treat.
- Be diligent with portion control: If you want to lose weight,
sticking to the right portions at every meal is important. Measure out
snacks beforehand instead of eating from the bag, use smaller plates to
visually signal that your meal will satisfy, and put away leftovers, so
you're not tempted to go back for seconds.
- Move more: Even if you're not dedicating an entire chunk of
time to a workout, you can burn a few extra calories by making an effort
to move a little more during the day. Taking breaks to walk around the
office, opting for the stairs instead of the escalator, and parking a
little farther from the office entrance are all simple ways to up your
calorie burn.
- Don't drink your calories: It's a common reason why you're
not seeing results — those empty calories from a daily soda, morning
juice, or large glass of wine at dinner can really add up. Stick to
water flavored with a fresh ingredients like cucumber lemon or mint in order to save on important calories.
- Don't go hungry too long: A little hunger can be good for
you, but starving yourself all day in order to "splurge" on dessert at
night is both unhealthy and diet sabotage. Eat well-timed meals and snacks in order to avoid low blood sugar levels that cause you to crash.
- Snack on high-protein, high-fiber foods: When it's time to
snack, make your food work for you. Steer clear of the empty,
high-calorie options like chips and crackers, and go for protein- and
fiber-rich foods that taste good and fill you up too. You'll be able to
eat fewer calories while still feeling satisfied. One of these 150-calorie snacks will surely hit the spot.
- Eat a light, early dinner. Try to keep your dinner to about
25 percent of your daily calories, and have it at least two to three
hours before going to bed. Eating too much too late can cause digestion
and sleep issues that make it hard to stick to a healthy routine.
- Get more sleep. Lack of sleep can cause you to eat more
throughout the day and not have enough energy for your workouts, so aim
for at least seven hours of sleep every night. It's an easy and
effective way to keep your weight-loss goals on the right track.