If you’re setting your sights on making this the year of living “YOU” and one of those things include an overhaul of your diet and exercise routing (as I meekly put my hand in the air with a #metoo), you’re probably looking for little tricks that make it easier. It’s only the 2nd week of January, and I’ve already fallen off the wagon 3 times, but I am determined to get back on and start fresh.
If like me, you are trying to get fit in general, or maybe you want to lose a few pounds to give you more wiggle room during the holidays this post is for you.
No matter your motivation, dieting is hard. You are breaking major habits and denying yourself things that set off your internal reward systems. And over and over again, you are told that as long as you have willpower, it should be easy.
But what if you don’t have a ton of willpower? What if dieting isn’t easy for you? Our suggestion is to try our tricks below.
Keep Fruit Nearby
If your tough cravings are for sweets, fruit is a good alternative. Of course, if you have to walk to the kitchen or lunch room for that fruit, you might be tempted to just reach for the chocolate instead. To make this less of a problem, keep it close by. The more convenient it is, the more likely you are to choose it.
Brush and Floss After Meals
Yes, this sounds like dental care advice, but if you cannot stand the taste of toothpaste mixed with anything but water, this will also motivate you not to eat again until you need to. We recommend flossing as well because it takes more effort than brushing your teeth, and if the toothpaste combinations do not deter you, messing up your hard work will.
Infuse Your Water
Many of us cut back on what we eat and still do not lose weight. The culprit? Liquid calories. To help you turn down sugar drinks, try flavoring your water naturally. And if you need the carbonation, look for simple soda water to flavor.
Pack Your Leftovers First
As soon as you serve everyone, pack up the leftovers so you are not tempted to go get seconds. If you are in a restaurant, ask them to pack up half the meal for you in advance. Most restaurants are happy to provide this service to you.
Focus on Sleep
Six hours is the minimum you should settle for. If you sleep less than six hours a night, a hormone called ghrelin will increase. This hormone triggers your appetite, causing you to feel hungry more often and eat more at meals. Sleep can also reduce cortisol, which causes fat cells to gather around your middle.
Keep a Food Log
There are lots of apps for this, and they can help you realize just how much you are eating and which items you eat the most. This helps you identify patterns that are easy to overlook without writing things down. For an easy way to get started, download My Fitness Pal.
Do you have some easy dieting tricks you like to use? Share them with us in the comments.
