15 ways to lose weight without dieting

Dieting to lose weight is often unsuccessful. Completely changing the way you eat overnight is not only miserable, it’s almost impossible to sustain. In fact, for many people, the mere thought of a diet is enough to throw them into a panicked binge. The good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your diet completely or dramatically change your lifestyle in order to lose weight. Small changes to your routine can be enough for some people to reach their goals.

Losing weight without dieting is possible and here are fifteen achievable ways to do it:

#1. Eat Breakfast Every Day
It’s a common misconception that skipping breakfast is a good way to cut down on calories. In reality, most people that have lost weight (and kept it off) eat breakfast every day. It makes sense when you think about it, as people who skip that very important first meal of the day usually end up eating more to make up for it. Research shows that people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs and they are more productive. Allow a little extra time in the morning to make something for breakfast that you’re actually excited about eating. Try eggs on toast, or a protein shake, or a bowl of good quality muesli topped with yoghurt and fruit for the best start to your day.

#2. Go to Bed
Numerous studies have shown links between sleep deprivation and obesity. When you don’t get enough sleep it can interfere with your metabolism and prompt you to eat more, particularly in the evenings when you’re extra tired and start munching mindlessly. Make getting a good night’s sleep a priority, it’s just as important for your health (and your mood) as a good diet and physical activity.

#3. Drink Water
Most of us are dehydrated and we haven’t even realised it. We all know that we should be drinking about two litres of water a day (more if you’re exercising) but most of us don’t even get close to that. Simply drinking more water has been shown to be an effective means of weight loss as it can curb your hunger. Often the signal for thirst is confused with being hungry, so keeping a bottle of water nearby can be a very helpful tool to combat overeating. Drinking more water will also help to flush your body of toxins keeping your liver and kidneys operating at an optimal level.

#4. Eat more Superfoods
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? There’s are reason these magical foods are called superfoods. Low in fat and calories, and packed with all the nutrients your body needs, they make you feel delightfully light and energised. Adding more superfoods into your daily diet will not only help you lose weight, it will actually help you to live a longer, happier life!

#5. Get Sporty
Sometimes finding the motivation to get up and get active is easier said than done. The trick is to find something you enjoy. If going for a run isn’t your cup of tea, consider joining a sports team, or exercising with a friend. Exercising with others also holds you accountable, your less likely to opt out if you have people relying on you to turn up!

#6. Say Goodbye to Added Sugar
This may seem drastic, but the reality is that sugar is just not good for you. Yes, sugar is everywhere, but if you look a little harder so are sugar alternatives. You don’t have to cut out sweet treats, just sweet treats with added sugar. Beware of fat-free treats too, they’re usually full of sugar and while the initial promise of zero fat is appealing, your body turns excess sugar into fat anyway and then wreaks havoc on your blood glucose levels on top of that. Kicking your sugar habit cold-turkey is the best way to rid yourself of cravings, but if you’re finding it really difficult, Good Health Sugar StopTM might help.

#7. Slow Down
You may lead a fast-paced life, but scoffing your food as fast as you can is not the answer to saving time. Your brain needs 20 minutes to process that you’re full, so slowing down your eating allows your brain to catch up with your stomach.

#8. Control your Environment
It’s hard to resist unhealthy food options when they’re all around you, so do what you can to minimise temptation in advance. Stock your kitchen with nutritious foods, carry healthy snacks with you, and eat before going to a party – it’s easier to stay away from the chip bowl when you’re not starving.

#9. Trim your Portion Size
If all you did was reduce your portions by 10-20%, you would lose weight. We’re all guilty of eating more than we need, and restaurants are some of the worst culprits. Whip out your measuring cups and work on gradually lessening the amount of food on your plate – it will get easier as you go on. Don’t underestimate the influence your mind has on achieving this. Use smaller plates, bowls and cups – your meal will look bigger on smaller plates and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

#10. Close Down your Kitchen
You are your own chef and you need to clock out at some point. Set a time for the kitchen to close and for you to stop eating. Having a set time will hold you accountable for any late night snacking and give you guidelines to stick to. If you need something after dinner, allow yourself a cup of tea and a small, healthy snack – after that, you’re clocked out.

#11. Brush Away your Cravings
Ever turn down food because you’ve already brushed your teeth? Most of us do – the taste of the food will be tainted anyway and you’ll have to brush your teeth all over again! Tap into this to help resist unnecessary snacking. Brushing your teeth after every meal will allow you to enjoy a slimmer waistline and a whiter smile!

#12. Look for Exercise Everywhere
To lose weight without dieting, it’s important to get active. You don’t need to run marathons, but you can add in little bits of exercise where you might have skipped it before. Take the stairs. Park your car a little further away from your destination. Walk the dog a little longer than usual. Go for a walk with your friend rather than having a wine. Be creative, you might even enjoy it.

#13. Eat Real Food
Just because it’s edible doesn’t mean you should eat it. A lot of the food in our daily diets are low in nutrients and don’t give our bodies enough of what they need to stay healthy, so we look for compensation elsewhere. Cravings and subsequent overeating are usually a result of our body being starved of nutrients. Eating foods that are high in fibre and full of vitamins, minerals and pytonutrients (like fruits and vegetables) keep you feeling satisfied for longer, making it easier to resist unhealthy snacks.

#14. Cheer Up
This goes out to all those emotional eaters out there. Research shows that people in good spirits are more likely to choose nutritious food options than those that are feeling down. It’s easier to see the big picture when you don’t have a big black cloud blocking it. Long-term goals like looking and feeling great become clearer (and more achievable) and all of a sudden demolishing that tub of ice-cream no longer seems like a good idea. Find something to look forward to in the future that really excites you, it might just put everything else into perspective.

#15. Don’t be Afraid to get a Little Help
Taking natural supplements can be just what you need to get started on your weight loss journey – after all that’s the hardest part. Seeing results is the best incentive to keep going. So, getting a little help to burn fat, balance your mood and curb your cravings could be just the thing to keep you on track.

If you are interested in taking supplements, take a look at these:
SugarstopTM, Garcinia Cambogia 9000 PlusTM and Svetol.

 

Not all products recommended may be available in South Africa at this time.