The holiday season is here, which means many of us will be enjoying big meals as we visit with family and friends. While this can be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, many folks don't like the result of weight gain. Luckily, there are some things you can do to avoid packing on the extra pounds during the holiday season and all year long. Here are 4 tips for how to lose weight:
1. Don't Skip Breakfast
Most people think that if they don't eat as many meals in the day that they will lose weight faster. However, that is not the case. It is still important to eat three meals a day, and the saying is true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you don't eat in the morning, you could miss out on essential nutrients that your body needs throughout the day. In many cases, you will become hungry more often, which leads to snacking throughout the day. It is actually more healthy to stick to three strict meals a day than to eat periodically throughout the day.
2. Mix in More Food Groups
When it comes time to plan out your meals, be sure you include various food groups, especially fruits and vegetables. Both of these are generally low in calories and fat, and are also high in fiber. Foods that are high in fiber can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. That is why it is important to mix in oats, wholegrain bread, rice, pasta, and beans into your diet. When possible, try to plan out your meals for the entire week at once. This allows you to break down your calorie allowance and you will find it helpful when you go to do your weekly grocery shopping.
3. Do Not Ban Foods
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they go on a diet is to ban something completely. Whether it is potato chips or sweets, they think that they can't have any of that particular item. The problem with cutting out your food weakness all at once is that it will only make you crave it more. Instead, treat yourself to your favorite treat at the end of the week if you have stayed within your daily calorie allowance. If you have trouble avoiding temptation, try to swap out your unhealthy snacks for more healthy alternatives such as fruit, oat cakes, and fruit juice.
4. Get More Active
Everyone knows that exercising more often is one of the best tips for how to lose weight. However, there is a common misconception that you have to spend hours each day at the gym to see real results. The truth is that even going for a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood provides an amazing amount of health benefits. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is consistency. Once you work in a short amount of time during your day to exercise, you will find yourself losing weight and feeling better overall.
The main goal of our pharmacy is to help our customers become more healthy. That is why one of the many health services that we provide is health monitoring. You can visit our local pharmacy to have your blood pressure and blood sugar checked for no charge at all! We can also advise you on new ways for how to lose weight.
