Simple Habits to Accelerate Weight Loss

Any time of day is perfect for making a good health decision, but nothing beats the morning. By making the right

[the_ad id=”6114″]moves just after waking, you can set your body up for weight loss, your mind for productivity and your attitude to make the whole day great. Here are some easy things to do in the morning that will make your whole day better:

Start your day with spiced lemon water

First thing upon waking up, drink a tall glass of warm water with a generous squeeze of lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. This will improvise immunity level and helps in curbing cravings to the day.

Cold showers

Cold showers are also a wonderful way to prepare your body for a large breakfast, which will regulate your blood sugar levels and keep your cravings at bay throughout the morning.

Cut back on sugar

Skip the sugar-laden cold cereals, bagels, muffins and breakfast pastries. Satisfy your morning sweet tooth with fresh or frozen low-glycemic fruits, like berries, stone fruits, kiwis or banana, which add the perfect amount of flavor and sweetness to smoothies, oatmeal or breakfast parfaits.

Eat a high-protein breakfast

Eating a high-protein breakfast may help cut cravings and aid in weight loss. Protein may also aid weight loss by decreasing levels of ghrelin, the “hunger hormone” that is responsible for increasing appetite. To help get your day off to a good start, consider protein sources like eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts and chia seeds.

Drink plenty of water

Water can help increase your energy expenditure or the number of calories your body burns, for at least 60 minutes. Starting your morning with water and staying well hydrated throughout the day is a great way to boost weight loss with minimal effort.

Get some sun

Opening the curtains to let in some sunlight or spending a few extra minutes outside each morning can help kickstart your weight loss. Exposure to sunlight is also the best way to meet your vitamin D needs. Some studies have found that meeting your vitamin D requirements can aid in weight loss and even prevent weight gain.

Squeeze in some exercise

Getting in some physical activity first thing in the morning can help boost weight loss. While there was not much difference noted in specific food cravings between those who exercised in the morning versus the afternoon, working out in the morning was associated with a higher level of satiety.

Pack your lunch

Making the effort to plan and pack your lunch ahead of time can be a simple way to make better food choices and increase weight loss. Try setting aside a few hours one night a week to plan and prepare your meals so that in the morning you can just grab your lunch and go.

Sleep longer

Establishing a healthy sleep schedule is a critical component of weight loss, along with eating well and exercising. To maximize your results, aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night.

Switch up your commute

While driving may be one of the most convenient ways to get to work, it may not be so great for your waistline. Research shows that walking, biking or using public transportation may be tied to a lower body weight and reduced risk of weight gain. So, changing up your commute even a few times per week may be a simple way to ramp up weight loss.

 

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