Ever wonder why that skinny friend of yours never gains weight? Why even after an intense diet and a lot of exercise, you put those extra pounds back on while she stays skinny?
Well, you might want to blame it on certain factors but there is more to it than that. It takes a lifestyle routine to maintain a certain weight and that comes from adopting healthy habits. And in the following are some habits that have helped people stay slim.
Set a time
Eating at regular intervals syncs your metabolism up with your internal clock so you feel hungry when it’s time to eat. This helps you avoid munching at odd hours.
Drink lots of water
No matter how many times I say it, it still won’t be enough to stress how crucial water is in maintaining your weight (or losing it). Also, keep a water bottle with you at all times, because sometimes we are just a little too lazy to get up.
Consume small portions
You can trick your mind into eating less by keeping your stomach semi-full the majority of the time. Keep a pack of gum or whole-grain crackers for when hunger strikes (gum tricks your brain into thinking that you’re eating and helps keep hunger away).
Eat slowly
This might not sound like a big deal, but it does make a difference. Take enough time to chew and swallow. You’ll end up eating less!
Don’t finish
Eat until your stomach is full, not until the plate is empty. Let that last chicken wing stay in the dish; you don’t have to finish it if you’re not hungry anymore.
Drink green tea
One of the best ways to burn fat is to drink green tea. Drink as much as you want, you honestly can’t go wrong with this one.
Go to bed hungry
If you are up late working or binge-watching a TV show, don’t rush for a quick bite before going to bed. The temptation goes away in no time, but the calories stay.
No eating out of boredom
Most people start eating when they’re bored. What we need to realize is that you don’t necessarily need to consume food to have a good time. Find a hobby!
Bonus:
If you hate exercise, one of the best things you can do is to find something that keeps you active and that you ACTUALLY like.
Get rid of anything that makes you feel like you want to quit. Only put things in your life that will get you moving and bring you joy (like bicycling, swimming, riding horses, skiing, snowboarding, etc.)
Staying healthy requires you to bring changes into your lifestyle and one of the best ways to go about is to fill up your day with healthy habits!
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.