While losing weight might seem like a daunting challenge, it doesn’t have to be. There are many simple steps you can take to help you drop those extra pounds. Consider these tried-and-true methods that can help you reach your weight-loss goals and live a healthier life.
In This Article
Exercise Regularly
Daily exercise is a great weight-loss tool that provides many additional benefits. When you exercise, your body burns more calories than when you are at rest. If you burn more calories while taking in the same or fewer calories, weight loss occurs.
Exercising regularly offers plenty of other benefits, as well. It improves mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels, and it can help with depression by releasing endorphins. There are physical benefits, as well, including:
- Less risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer
- Increase in bone density
- Relief from arthritis
- Boost to the immune system
- Increase in longevity
While you can choose whatever type of exercise you enjoy, you should aim to reach your target heart rate for at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week.
Fitness Equipment
If you don’t have time to go to the gym, you can start exercising at home. There are plenty of resources available online, so you can easily choose the type of exercise you want to start with.
If you are a beginner, start with easy, no equipment needed exercises. If that’s too much for you then start with subtle stretching. As you slowly improve your strength, include cardio exercises into your workout routine. Cardio will help you lose weight faster than muscle-building exercises.
The ideal basic equipment for small spaces includes a mat, dumbbells, soft medicine balls, resistance bands, jump ropes, etc. As you move forward with your workout routine, you can include battle ropes, a pull-up bar, ankle weights, and kettle bells.
The best thing about the fitness equipment is that you can use it at home as well as at the gym. The only thing you really need is mental toughness and persistence. Nothing is impossible if you work on achieving it!
Incorporate Movement Into Your Routine
In addition to making exercise a regular part of your routine, it’s also helpful to incorporate more movement into your day-to-day life. Every time you make a conscious decision to move, you burn more calories. Consider these easy ways to add movement and burn calories:
- Walk short distances rather than always driving.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Park further from your desired destination to sneak in extra steps.
- Set an hourly alarm to remind yourself to get up from your desk and move for five minutes.
Make Healthy Food Choices
An eating plan that helps you lose weight should incorporate a variety of healthy foods, including vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, eggs, and legumes. It’s also important to avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Drink More Water
Drinking water is one of the easiest steps you can take if you are trying to lose weight. You can boost your metabolism by about 30% by simply drinking enough water. Moreover, swapping water for sweetened drinks is an easy way to cut calories, reduce sugar intake, and flush out harmful toxins.
Get Enough Sleep
Feeling sleep-deprived sets your brain up to make poor decisions that can sabotage your efforts to lose weight. For example, you might be tempted to drink a large, sweetened latte to help you get moving in the morning, skip your daily workout because you don’t have enough energy, or pick up take-out because you feel too tired to cook.
Consider a Weight-Loss Supplement
Sometimes your weight-loss goals can’t be met entirely by conventional methods, such as diet and exercise. If this is your situation, it can be helpful to try a supplement like Orlistat by Waytless-less. Orlistat encourages weight loss by blocking the enzymes that digest fat, and in turn, allowing the fat to be eliminated via your feces rather than absorbed by your body in the form of calories.