By Lucy Wyndham
About 95% of people who lose a few pounds by dieting will regain them in 1- 5 years, studies indicate. As dieting is, by definition, a short-term food plan, it doesn’t work in the long run. Neither does the daily weightlifting, especially for college students. If anything, dieting and compulsive weightlifting can sharply increase your eating disorder and bring food-related health problems in its wake. On the same note, overly prescriptive diets can take out all the pleasure in food. It seems like nothing works, right? The tips below will help you create a weight loss program that’s actually sustainable.
Eat Slowly, Eat Better
We are all created differently, so what works for other people might not work for you. Lose-weight-fast TV programs and other over-hyped diet programs won’t help you lose weight since they often feature lofty goals with one focus: your final result. Chew food thoroughly, and slowly so you can give your brain time to process whether you’ve eaten enough or not.
More importantly, eating slowly lets you consume lesser food, and increase your fullness. In actual sense, reports from numerous studies indicate faster eaters are very likely to add weight than slow eaters. Consume good quality proteins and fats that are satiating. Adding a source of low-fat or lean protein to each meal will keep you feeling full for longer; thus, you’re unlikely to overeat. Similarly, eat small portions of nuts, beans, and eggs. But if you still like your sweets, keep dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and figs in the house.
Be an Emotionally Intelligent Eater
Have you tried mindful eating? Unlike gradual physical hunger, emotional hunger hits you instantly and feels urgent and overwhelming. Emotionally intelligent eaters are people whose relationships with food is flourishing. They portray an intrinsic motivation to eat healthily instead of sticking to external rewards.
Emotional intelligence in eating is not about being knowledgeable about nutritional facts, but rather recognizing how social interactions affect your eating habits. It’s being aware of how you react around food and controlling that pleasure. The decision to eat often starts by asking, “What do I feel like consuming?” The decision to choose a lot of times depends on your mood at that moment. In a nutshell, it’s the ability to make thoughtful “food decisions” no matter the emotions.
Keep Unhealthy Foods off the Grid
Storing unhealthy foodstuffs in plain sight can intensify cravings and hunger, causing you to overeat. This has been linked to obesity and weight gain. A recent study found out that people who keep unhealthy foods visible on their countertops are more likely to add more weight than those who kept a bowl of fruit visible.
Further, the study found out candy-filled countertops are associated with higher BMI. From this perspective, you should put unhealthy foods where you can’t see them, such as in cupboards and closets. Alongside this, lock your kitchen after dinner and brush your teeth to discourage you from eating or drinking anything else. However, if the cravings for your after-dinner munchies are too much, you can treat yourself to a small bowl of frozen yogurt.
Deciding what to eat in order to lose weight should not be complicated. These tips remove the guesswork by providing you with non-conventional weight loss ideas, all in one place.