We all know there’s nothing particularly “simple” about losing weight. When you’re working from home all day and adjusting to new COVID-19 lifestyle, it can seem particularly daunting to start a battle against unwanted gain. Try though they might, many people struggle year-round to lose weight and keep it off. With new schedules budding, there is no better time to strive for a new you. Extra weight can lead to long term health problems, both physical and mental, which can bog you down in the possibly tough months ahead.
Doing your research and educating yourself is one of many great ways to not only get the most out of your workout but to stay motivated to achieve your goals. There’s no substitute for eating right, moving more, and maintaining a positive outlook––but there are some easy ways to boost your weight loss game.
1. Protein
When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, the importance of protein cannot be overstated. Protein consumption will be the absolute cornerstone of your new year’s weight loss plan. Eating plenty of protein has been shown to give a metabolic boost of nearly 100 calories per day.
Protein has also been shown to greatly reduce obsessive and pesky cravings for food by ridiculous margins in comparison to other nutrients. You might find yourself eating as few as 500 calories per day just by adding the appropriate amount of protein to your diet.
2. Don’t Be Afraid of Fat
While a low-fat diet can be beneficial, the most effective way to lose weight is to drastically lower your intake of sugar and carbs and be mindful of the ingredients in your favorite snack and foods. If you’re attempting to cut carbs and fat at the same time, unless you possess almost superhuman mental endurance, you’re setting yourself up for little success. You’re likely to feel immediately miserable enough to abandon the plan, making it a recipe for failure.
Instead, this new year, don’t shy away from foods that contain healthy fats. The best fat to use for cooking is coconut oil, as it is rich in more fulfilling fats such as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can slightly boost metabolism.
3. Work Out Three Times a Week
On a low carb diet, working out isn’t completely necessary to lose weight, though it is very strongly recommended. The best way to do this is simple—find a fun workout and to it three-to-four times a week. This can seem very daunting to someone new to the world of fitness, but it doesn’t have to be. Simply start with a warm-up, then follow the exercise instructions from one of the many sources online and then stretch.
If you’re feeling very uncomfortable, trainers are typically more than happy to help set you on the right path. This, combined with a low carb diet, allows you to lose significant amounts of weight while building a bit of muscle. If calisthenics aren’t your favorite, try aerobic exercise such as swimming, running, or even walking. Afterwards, you can ease your sore muscles and reward yourself by taking a bath, using CBD topicals, or getting your loved one to give you a massage.
4. Drink (More) Water
Drinking a sports drink, fruit smoothie, or a light beer may be satisfying, but each amounts to about 100 calories and won’t satisfy you the way 100 calories of food will. There are a myriad of benefits to drinking more water. Water contains no calories and very little sodium, making it a perfect drink to slim down. Also, increasing your water intake can drastically flush out your system and jumpstart your metabolic rate.
5. Workout Supplements
Between work, family, getting life back on track after the holidays, and other obligations, getting in those workouts can be a challenge. When you finally have an hour to devote to your physical health, sometimes you just can’t summon the energy for a workout. That’s where workout supplements can make a huge difference. A pre-workout supplement just before vigorous exercise can give you the boost you need to make the most of the time you have to work out. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to use these supplements; anyone who wants great workouts can use supplements and drink a protein shake to compound the results of your workout.
Stick with It!
From start to finish, reaching your target weight this year is going to be an arduous process, particularly if you plan on doing it the right way. In the beginning, when you’re first cutting out your favorite comfort foods as well as forcing yourself to exercise, it’s going to seem like so much more trouble than it’s worth. It’s imperative in these early stages to set strict guidelines for yourself and get out of the door to exercise. Before you know it, these habits will become so much easier to follow and the results as you emerge into next year will speak for themselves!
” Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound. My job is to bring out in people & what they wouldn’t dare do themselves “