Time for a mid-summer weight loss and nutrition check. I am always amazed by people who lose weight in the summer. I find it nearly impossible without a ton of intention. Here are a few tips to help you realize your summer weight loss goals.
First, sugary and salty snacks….. Packaged snacks are engineered with chemicals to stimulate your brain and make you crave more. Stop eating them. You get no nutritive value from them. NOTHING. For those scarfing down a higher quality of snacks; bakery snacks….stop those too. Layer upon layer of sugar and salt stimulates cravings making you want more and more. Find a buddy that has been whining about weight loss and hold each other accountable even if it is just 24 hours with no sugary or salty snacks. If you can make it 72 hours, you can make it an entire week. Breaking the craving cycle is vital to getting your eating back on track.
Second, stop drinking so much. Again, empty calories. I didn’t say don’t drink at all just not so much. Summer brings lots of time for socializing, boating, and enjoying a glass of wine on your deck. You don’t need to give it up completely, just cut back. At 250 calories a mixed drink, 150 calories a beer or 125 calories a glass of wine, in a quantity of 3 or more, no wonder you feel bloated and that you’ve gained weight. Easy? It’s not. It’s a lot more fun to party on but it’s also a lot more fun to fit into your clothes and not huff and puff with every physical exertion.
Third, eat less. Use smaller plates or bowls to cut down on your portions. That beautiful set of plates in your cupboard, the great big ones? They are the enemy. You don’t need to replace them, just use a smaller one. You will put less on it and still feel full. Trust me on this.
Again, eat less, drink less, no snacks. Those seem like very obvious tips so there is no reason not to do them, starting today! At Active Family Chiropractic, we are here to help you reach all of your health goals. Give our Plymouth office a call today.