While summer is being slow to arrive in some states, there’s no question that it’s around the corner. If you’re hoping to lose some weight so you can rock that swimsuit, here are some tips to help:
Cut the sugar
Sugar is the devil when you’re trying to lose weight, so this should be the first thing you cut back on. You’ll find sugar hidden in all kinds of foods, so be sure to begin looking at labels. Of course, you don’t need to quit sugar completely, but you’ll quickly find that the less sugar you eat, the less sugar you crave. There are also a number of substitutions you can make so you still appease that sweet tooth- consider sugar free sweets in place of typical high-sugar treats.
Get active
Are you one of those people who spends a lot of time inside and on the couch? It may be time to get active. Start with a quick ten-minute walk each day, and increase it until you’re stretching yourself. If you commute to work, consider getting off the train or bus a little earlier, or park a little further. In the weekends, look for ways you can be active- take a walk, go for a hike, or organize a bike ride.
Try fasting
If you haven’t yet tried fasting, this may be a great option for you. The great thing about fasting is that it doesn’t require any major changes to your diet- you simply limit when you eat, avoiding sudden spikes of insulin and allowing your body to spend more time in fat-burning mode. There are a number of different ways to fast- from fasting for two days a week to only eating within a certain window each day. Study the science behind fasting and choose whichever method works best for you.
Control the drinking
Let’s face it: Summer is when we’re at the beach, out at brunch, and dancing the night away. With the warm weather often comes a higher booze intake, and that can derail your weight loss plans. Not only is alcohol itself high in calories, but the mixers we drink it with are often super high in sugar too. Plus, we’re more likely to reach for a naughty late-night snack when our judgment is impaired. The same is true when it comes to choosing the wrong foods when hungover.
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