It’s been a tough year for new year’s resolutions! All those good intentions of hitting the gym regularly and getting the body you want, and then quarantine happened.
Gyms across the globe are having to close their doors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good and feel great just because you can’t leave the house.
Check out these ten weight loss tips that can get you back on track towards your fitness goals while you’re stuck at home.
Exercise at Home
Just because the gyms are closed, and quarantines are in place doesn’t mean you’re being forced to live a sedentary life. The fitness industry is having to evolve towards people working out at home, and so are you.
There have never been as many home workouts available on the internet as there are right now, and personal trainers are offering their services online. You can get a full-body aerobic and resistance workout all from the comfort of your own home, with minimal equipment.
Setting aside an hour or so, four to five days each week to participate in a well-structured exercise routine can help to keep you active while quarantine blows over. If you’re lucky enough to be able to leave the house, then why not slip your running shoes on or dust the cobwebs off your road bike?
Cut Down on Refined Carbs
Refined carbohydrates include sugars and grains that have been stripped of all their fiber, bran, and other nutrients. Think white bread, pizza dough, sweet deserts, and most breakfast cereals.
In short, they don’t really offer any nutritional benefit, but they will spike your blood sugar levels. Frequently eating refined carbohydrates can increase your risk of a number of diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In order to process them your body converts them to fat.
Instead of refined carbs opt for wholegrain alternatives, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts.
Cut Out Sugar
Sugar is the leading cause of weight gain. Your body can only process small amounts at a time, and most fruit juices or foods with added sugar contain way more than the body is equipped to deal with efficiently.
While no one expects you not to treat yourself once in a while, replacing sugary snacks with healthy alternatives such as fruit and nuts is a great way to help start losing excess weight. It might seem tough at first, but within 3 weeks you’ll notice an increase in your energy levels.
Eat More Protein
Your body needs protein for more than just building muscle. It’s an essential building block for the body and can help support immune system function and help to fight off inflammation.
Focusing on eating more protein instead of carbohydrates will help you to feel fuller for longer and protein is not as easily stored as fat.
Sleep Better
Quality sleep is as important as your diet and exercise regimen. A good night’s sleep is the reset button your body needs to tackle tomorrow efficiently. Lack of sleep can lead to spikes in cortisol levels, which will inevitably lead you to eat more throughout the day to combat any fatigue.
There is no magic number of hours, but its recommended that you aim for between 7 and 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. To help ensure this happens, aim to wind down towards the end of your day and avoid using your smartphone, laptop, or television in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Hydrate
Around 60% of you is water, so it should come as no surprise that drinking enough is important. It’s necessary for every single process in the human body and this includes digestion and elimination.
Drinking water can help to curb your appetite and ensure that what food you do eat is processed efficiently. There is no rule for how much water you should drink as a lot depends on environmental factors and your activity levels. Simply drink water whenever you feel thirsty and if your pee is darker than a straw color then it’s time to hydrate.
Scrap the Diet
Fad diets are everywhere, and the chances are if you’re trying to lose weight and the gyms are closed, you’ve been tempted to try one. Don’t!
Diets that restrict food groups and calories usually mean that you’re starving the body of the things it needs to function properly.
Trying to adhere to a strict diet can really take the fun out of being healthy. So much so that when the diet is over, you’re likely to put the weight you’ve lost back on. Regular exercise and a balanced nutritious diet is a much better, and sustainable approach to losing weight and staying healthy.
Intermittent Fasting
Instead of fad diets you might want to try intermittent fasting. This involves not eating for a certain period of time and the good news is you’re asleep for most of it! The most common fasting period is 16 hours. You would have your last meal at 8pm and then refrain from eating until midday the next day.
You might only want to do this a few days a week to start with, but once your body gets used to it, you should notice improvements to your well-being, especially your sleep quality and energy levels.
Probiotic Supplements
Keeping your gut healthy is a must when it comes to losing weight. Taking a probiotic supplement can help to maintain healthy bacteria levels in the gut, which in turn ensures that your digestive system is working at its optimum level. Probiotic supplements can also help to improve your immune system function and your well-being.
Slimming Creams
You might have heard about slimming creams, and while they won’t do much on their own, they can certainly give you the edge when teamed with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Slimming creams such as Bioluma Slimming/Sculpting Gel Cream work by heating up areas of the body and breaking down fat cells and increasing circulation. This in turn can help the body burn fat while exercising.
Have You Tried These Weight Loss Tips?
While there is no single secret method to losing weight, following these ten weight loss tips will prime your body for shedding any unwanted pounds while you’re waiting for the gyms to reopen.
Remember that regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet is the best diet plan there is.
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