How To Lose Fat: 5 Habits To Adopt And Avoid
A healthy lifestyle is everything. From foods you should eat to foods you shouldn't, to the right lifestyle for you, adopting a healthier lifestyle will change your life.
I think a huge goal in everyones life is to feel the best about themselves. In your goals, your personal life, and in your confidence. It also doesn't help to really appreciate your body for exactly the way it is, and what it can do. Putting your goals first in life, and not feeling guilty for it, is something to admire. However, keeping it healthy and realistic is even better.
Even though we all make mistakes, making mistakes when it comes to your health can really affect your body, mind and soul. If you want to lose fat, it's a commitment. It's not all about looks, but if you're not confident, you're not your best self.
Losing fat is not easy at all, and it's super important to note that your whole lifestyle has to change if you want to lose weight. You don't have to be an Instagram fitness model, and it doesn't have to be your full-time job, but it does take commitment. If you want to lose fat, feel better in your skin and still live your life, then here are 5 habits to adopt and 5 habits to avoid.
For the first habit to adopt and avoid, click "NEXT"
Original article: Marie-Christine Pinochet - Narcity Quebec
First habit to adopt:
Eating enough
It is so important to fuel your body and realize that starving yourself is not the way to go. Eating small meals throughout the day will not only keep your hunger at bay, but your metabolism will be going crazy! When your metabolism goes crazy, that means you can burn through fat easier.
First habit to avoid:
Starving yourself
Not eating enough is so harmful to every part of your body. A lot of people think that eating the minimum amount of calories will help them lose weight. However, once you have a balanced lifestyle, you'll realize that counting calories and feeling guilty over food is exhausting, especially since your energy levels are already low from not getting enough fuel. Also, your body will start to panic and you'll start to store fat instead of burning it, which means it has the opposite affect.
For the second habit to adopt and avoid, click "NEXT"
Second habit to adopt:
Make sure you're getting enough of each food group for your specific goals
Just because you see someone on Instagram post their macros (protein, fat and carb ratio) does not mean it will work for you. Everyones bodies are different, and everyone needs more or less of certain macros. Protein is great to build/maintain muscle mass, carbs are the source of energy your brain needs, and fats (healthy fats) keep you fuller for longer and actually lean you out.
Second habit to avoid:
Banning certain foods from your diet
We all know about the low-card or even no-card diets, which tell us to avoid carbs and we'll drop the weight. It doesn't work like that. Your body needs carbs to function, and if you are doing a low-carb diet I suggest the doing the ketogenic diet. Also, cutting carbs or a certain food group unless you're being told to by your doctor for health reasons will backfire, and you will end up binge eating that food later on.
For the third habit to adopt and avoid, click "NEXT"
Third habit to adopt:
Be more active on a daily basis
Being active is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. Whether that's going for a walk, hitting up a spin class or giving it your all to a dance class, it doesn't matter. Moving in some way is considered being active! Of course, a healthy and balanced diet is the most important, but being active also releases endorphins which is the happy drug. If you're wanting to lose fat, you need to be active as well as maintain a healthy diet.
Third habit to avoid:
Taking weight loss/fat burning pills
There is NO shortcut to weight loss or health. If you're not willing to put in the effort, then you're not committed. A lot of people think that since a product has green tea in it, it's bound to burn fat. That's not true. Unless you're drinking pure green tea, and not green tea extract, you won't lose the weight you are hoping to. Also, health and fitness is a journey, not a destination. You will not enjoy the journey if you rely on weight loss pills and starving yourself to do the trick!
For the fourth habit to adopt and avoid, click "NEXT"
Fourth habit to adopt:
Find a balance throughout your entire life
Realizing that life is a balance changed my life. Whether that's realizing that if you eat more than you're burning, you'll gain weight or just even realizing that eating fast food once a month will not hinder your weight loss at all. Life is hard, but once you realize that some weeks you'll be able to work out 6 days a week and others you'll only manage to squeeze in 2, you'll be way happier and less hard on yourself.
Fourth habit to avoid:
Only relying on food to help you lose weight
It unfortunately doesn't work that way. Yes, a healthy diet is a huge part of losing weight and becoming a healthier person. However, if you want that toned look to appear after you lose fat, you'll need to work out. If you're running daily but have a crappy diet, it won't work. If you have a healthy diet but no exercise plan, you will see results, but just maybe not the toned kind that you want.
For the fifth habit to adopt and avoid, click "NEXT"
Fifth habit to adopt:
Know what your body needs
If you're struggling with food and weight loss, you can always get a second opinion. I wasn't struggling with weight loss, but I was struggling with food sensitivities that hindered how I felt daily. I've been going to a naturopath for almost two months and my life has changed. If you feel yourself feeling down and unmotivated, talk to a nutritionist or even a therapist. A healthy lifestyle includes your mind feeling great. If your mind isn't feeling great, you won't be motivated, you'll feel groggy and lazy and I've totally been there. Getting a second opinion doesn't make you weak, it makes you strong for wanting to take that step.
Fifth habit to avoid:
Ditch the alcohol
Okay,you don't have to ditch it all together. However, if you feel yourself drinking every single weekend or even during the week, it's best to avoid that. Alcohol can have anywhere from 80 calories to 400 calories depending on what you're drinking. And that's just one glass! If you're an avid rum and Coke drinker, and you have 3 a night, that can equal out to 500 calories. I would limit alcohol to a couple of glasses on a weekend, and a full glass of water in between. Alcohol is filled with sugar, and sugar is not good for you. You'll also be able to do more without having an awful hangover the next day. It's a win, win!