11 Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Weight : Tired of being called “fat”, “chubby”, “plump”, “out of shape”? There are apparels occupying a section of your wardrobe which you can neither throw nor wear because those were your favourites once but you don’t fit into them anymore. Your recent tattoo on your arm looks beautiful, still you are too shy to flaunt it since you feel your arms are not just in proper shape. You secretly desire a size zero figure or those 8 pack abs. Before anything else let me first tell you this, you are beautiful the way you are and weight is just a number. But yes if you want to shed a few extra kilos, feel lighter, better and healthier you might find this section worth reading.
1. A Glass of Honey Lemon Water : Yes it shall do the trick if followed religiously for a considerable time. It’s simple and easy and this is what you have to do. Take a glass of lukewarm water, squeeze the juice of a lemon into it, add 2 teaspoon of honey, stir it and drink it early in the morning empty stomach. That’s it. Simple. Isn’t it?
2. Chew Gum : Sounds funny? What do chewing gums have to do with weight loss? Well if not directly then indirectly definitely. The flavour of the gum reduces appetite and curbs the urge to munch on something unhealthy. It also stimulates the flow of saliva, whose enzymes help break down starches and fat. So you see a small piece of gum can work wonders. Just a reminder – choose a natural sugar-free chewing gum.
3. An Apple A Day : The good old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” but did you know that an apple a day also keep weight at bay? Yes, apples are high in fiber which helps in curbing appetite. Apples also help regulate one’s appetite and energy levels and helps in preventing excess water retention and water weight. Tip – Leave the skin on, it contains good amount of fiber.
4. Eat Chocolates : No no no, I am not mad and am talking sense. Trust me, a small portion of chocolate can actually help you in your weight loss mission. When your body craves for a sweet treat, turn to a dark chocolate. The healthy fats in dark chocolates can slow down the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. Studies have also shown that eating regulated portions of chocolate can actually put a stop to cravings for sugar, salt and fat. Reminder – Choose a 70% dark chocolate.
5. Reduce Stress : Stress can be a cause of weight gain. The body cannot perform any function including burning fat for energy optimally when under stress. So relax and try not to get stressed. Well, I do understand it’s easier said than done, but it’s worth giving a try and I am sure you are capable of doing that.
6. Avoid Sleeping Immediately After Eating : Your metabolism slams on the brakes when you go off to sleep. So eating at night makes weight gain tough to avoid. Tip – Take 100 steps after dinner, read a book, do some household chores before you finally retire for the night.
7. Plain Yogurt and Honey : The probiotics in yogurt (plain, non-sweetened, non-flavoured) can do wonders for the digestive track and maintain a healthy balance of gut flora that optimize digestion and the breakdown of certain substances like fat. Tip – Add a variety of fresh fruits, honey to your yogurt and watch it transform to a yummy and healthy dessert.
8. A Low Carbohydrate Diet : Cutting out carbohydrates from the diet reduces insulin and the kidneys start shedding excess water. People on low carb diet usually lose a lot of water weight in the first few days of such diet. Reducing carbs tend to reduce your appetite and cause automatic weight loss. Reminder – Avoid sugar and starchy food and do remember a low-carb diet is not a no-carb diet.
9. Good Amount of Sleep : Research shows that sleep deprivation actually increases the brain’s sensitivity to food smells like potato chips, doughnuts and other junk food. Thus it’s pretty clear that sleep deprivation leads to extra calorie consumption and weight gain. Remember, 7 to 8 hours of sleep helps to keep your figure. Thus you see, beauty sleep is actually not a myth.
10. Say a no-no to junk food and aerated/carbonated drinks : Junk food directly affects some of the brain centers that control and regulate appetite, hunger and body fat. The strength of cognitive restraint (willpower) is adversely affected which drives one to eat more and put on weight. A study found that those who drank diet fizzy drinks saw their waistlines expand nearly three times as much as non-drinkers.
11. Cinnamon Tea : Cinnamon Tea is naturally low in calories and can regulate your blood sugar levels, which could lead to consuming fewer calories and help in weight reduction. Tip – Place a cinnamon stick in a mug containing 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes before straining. Add honey to taste and drink 1-2 times a day.
Losing weight is no magic. It’s the perfect combination of proper diet, exercise, good sleep and some sacrifices and once you are determined, trust me no one can stop you from becoming fabulous.
We would love to hear from you. Do let us know about how well the remedies worked for you. Feel free to add other effective remedies in the comment section. Cheers to healthy life.