Anyone who’s ever struggled with losing weight has probably tried getting into fad diets, fitness routines, and weight-loss programs to reach their target weight. In most cases, when these traditional weight-loss methods fail to work, doctors recommend undergoing weight-loss surgery to prevent these individuals from experiencing other health problems related to being overweight.
On the other hand, if you’ve recently made the decision to lose weight and have yet to jump feet first into a weight-loss program, there are a series of small changes you can make to your current lifestyle to set yourself up for weight-loss success. Try implementing these seven natural weight-loss techniques to get started on the path to a healthier you!
1. Consume smaller portions
Generally, each meal you eat should consist of one-half vegetables, one-fourth protein, and one-fourth complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes or quinoa. Limit each serving size to the size of your palm to avoid overeating, and steer clear of eating too many carbs at dinner before bedtime.
2. Eat regularly throughout the day
Stop skipping meals and eat between three and five times per day, given you’re eating clean and healthy. Eating frequently throughout the day will help speed up your metabolism and prevent you from overeating — the latter of which will eventually happen when you skip meals.
3. Eat protein with every meal
Your body digests and absorbs protein at a relatively slow rate, which means that you’ll feel full for longer periods of time and will experience fewer cravings and hunger pangs. Protein can also help stabilize your blood sugar levels, which in turn, will promote fat burning.
4. Consume more fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most powerful weight-loss superfoods because they are rich in the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay energetic and healthy, and will help drive weight loss. Always consume fruit on an empty stomach before eating other foods to prevent it from fermenting in your stomach and causing indigestion. Add vegetables to your lunch and dinner plates and either consume them raw or steam them for maximum nutritional benefits.
