Explore these weight loss tips and give yourself a head start on looking amazing this summer.
Spring, with its longer days and daffodils peeking out from every corner, is an ideal time to kick-start your weight loss.
The pounds of fat accumulated over winter and comfortably tucked under scarfs and oversized cardigans begin to feel uncomfortable with the first warm rays of sunshine.
Get started now with these six weight loss tips and give yourself a head start on looking amazing this summer!
1. Hydrate
Drink a glass of water before every meal. Thirst is often confused with hunger and as a result you tend to eat more than your body really needs. For this reason, every time you feel peckish despite the fact that you have just eaten, drink a glass of water instead of snacking and wait a few minutes. Still hungry? Most likely not.
Tip: Is water not your favourite drink? Invigorate it with ginger, fresh mint leaves and squeezed lemon juice and top up with ice cubes.
2. Choose nutrient-dense snacks
Always peckish? Sugary snacks can jeopardise even the best weight loss plan as they give you blood sugar spikes.
Swap crisps and chocolate for foods that will keep your appetite under control. Opt for healthy and nutrient-packed snacks like hummus with wholemeal pita breads, a handful of nuts or oat and spelt cookies.
They will not only help you avoid the blood sugar rollercoaster (that actually makes you hungrier than you were before snacking!), but are also full of essential nutrients that keep your skin, hair and nails beautiful and healthy.
3. Walk, walk, walk
There is no better time to get outside than spring and there is no healthier activity than walking. Every opportunity is good to get outdoors, whether it’s walking briskly around the park with a friend or walking to the nearest grocery store to pick up a pint of milk.
To speed up your weight loss leave the car at home for short trips and walk instead.
Make it fun for the whole family and explore together the nearest country parks, walks around Basel and riverside paths. Incorporate walking into your daily routine and watch the pounds falling off you!
Start walking. Everywhere.
4. Colour your plate with healthy food
Who said healthy food can’t be delicious? You can eat beautiful healthy meals and still lose weight.
Swap your white bread, white rice and white potatoes for low GI foods like whole grain pitas, wild rice and sweet potatoes. They ensure no sugar spikes in your blood and keep you fuller for longer.
Fill your plate with vegetables. Aim for a variety of shapes and colours to ensure a good supply of nutrients essential for your well-being and health. And don’t forget to include some healthy proteins – oily fish, chicken, beans and pulses are a great choice!
Tip: combine warm quinoa with fresh rocket leaves, roasted sweet potato, pomegranate seeds and goats cheese and sprinkle it with honey and lemon vinaigrette. Yum!
5. Start a fitness routine
When it comes to successful weight loss, getting active to burn additional calories is essential.
Are you not a gym person? With warmer and longer spring days there is a plentiful choice of outdoor activities. For effective weight loss aim for cardiovascular exercise – running, cycling, roller skating or outdoor personal training are only a few of possible choices. Pair it with a legs, butt and abs shaping workout to ensure a beautifully toned body this summer.
Put your fitness plan in your calendar, gear up with strong beat music and stick with it!
6. Reward yourself
We all know that weight loss journey isn’t always easy. To make it fun, keep you motivated and make sure giving up is not on cards, don’t forget to reward yourself every time you reach a milestone on the way to your ultimate goal. A brand new hairstyle, a massage, a size smaller dress or a pair of new running trainers should keep you right on track!