The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight often include a more productive work and social life, improved sleep, more energy, and a decrease in various types of disorders and diseases.
Here are four weight loss methods you’ve never heard of:
We’ve been conditioned to believe that the most effective way to move our bodies is to engage in intense cardio workouts. While cardio is a necessary component of a healthy exercise routine, sometimes less is more, surprising as that may sound. If that time on the treadmill or in your spinning and HIIT classes leaves you winded but not losing inches, it’s possible you may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts by overtraining.
Pushing too hard can create an excess of the stress hormone cortisol, which is responsible for fat storage and sugar cravings. Instead, keep the cardio to 2-3 days per week and fill in the other days with yoga, Pilates, and weight training sessions. This will keep your workout balanced and ensure that you continue to lose.
Our culture enjoys the media. When it comes to weight management, however, we need to be mindful of how the media we expose ourselves to can work both for and against us.
Snacking while watching television has often been linked to overeating and weight gain. Have you ever opened a bag of chips or some other snack before sitting down in front of the TV only to realize later that you finished off the whole bag and never even realized it? As we become absorbed with what is on the screen, we lose track of how much we are consuming. If you really want to snack before watching a show, portion out your snack before even sitting down and then put the rest away. You could also choose a low-calorie snack that won’t impact your diet too much.
Try listening to a comedic routine during the commute to work. This may help decrease the cortisol levels that result from the stressful drive. Less stress means less desire for the sweet stuff once you arrive at work, which is even more of a bonus for your weight loss attempt!
We very often eat out of boredom rather than hunger. One way to combat this tendency is to introduce positive distractions into your routine. If you find yourself looking for a snack to munch on even though you’re not hungry, distract yourself with a walk, playing cards, or coloring. Find a productive activity that will limit mindless eating. You want to be in completely control of what you consume and needless snacking won’t help you.
Increasing metabolism is an important component of weight loss. This can be through taking a walk to get your heart rate up, or using essential oils. Several oils have demonstrated the ability to boost metabolism, decrease appetite, manage blood sugar levels, and improve both mood and digestion.
Consult a distributor of doTERRA products about the Slim & Sassy weight loss blend, or to see how grapefruit, peppermint, cinnamon, ginger, and bergamot oils might help your weight loss regimen.
While weight loss can be a difficult and challenging endeavor, following these simple tricks can go a long way towards helping you achieve your goals.
Claire Stewart is a freelance writer and blogger focused on writing about health, travel, and business among other topics. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelors in Women’s Studies and currently lives in Seattle with her goldfish, Merlin.