You’ve tried it all – fad diets, meal plans, and even popular exercise routines like P90X or CrossFit to manage your weight. But still you can’t seem to lose those last 20 pounds so you can fit back into your favorite pair of jeans.
It can be extremely frustrating, especially if those around you, such as the men in your life, seem to just drop the weight right off whenever they want. A new study determined that for women it’s harder to lose weight because of a weight-regulating hormone produced in the brain that performs differently than in men.
When it seems like all hope for weight management is lost, these weight loss tips might be exactly what you need to help you push through those last few stubborn pounds.
- Get more sleep. Numerous studies have shown that the less sleep you get, the more likely you are to gain weight – or have a harder time losing it. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night boosts your metabolism, helping your body burn more calories and fat. Plus, being well-rested helps you make better decisions about food; those who are sleep deprived tend to crave carb-heavy foods and snack late at night.
- Buy groceries with cash. If you’re conscious about how much money you’re spending at the grocery store, you may be more likely to buy healthy and buy less with cash than when using plastic.
- Use the buddy system. Don’t try to lose weight on your own. Enlist the help of your closest friends and family, and ask them to hold you accountable. A good support system can keep you focused and on track with your weight loss goals.
- Paint your dining room blue. It might seem out of the blue (pun intended!), but it’s true. Research shows that people eat about one-third of the amount they would normally eat when surrounded by blue. Why? The color blue makes food less pleasing to the eye. The research says not to use orange, yellow, or red, as these colors may encourage eating by stimulating the appetite.
- Use a vanilla candle. After you finish a meal, light a vanilla-scented candle. The aroma has an effect on the brain that may help to satisfy cravings and calm the mind. This is especially helpful if you are a nervous or emotional eater.
If you are truly struggling to lose weight despite your best efforts to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of regular exercise and sleep, it’s important to find out why. There could be a medical reason such as metabolic syndrome that, when resolved, can make it much easier for you to eliminate inches off your thighs, belly, and other trouble areas.
Give our Fairless Hills office a call today at (267) 202-6433, and get started on your journey to living free from the side effects of being overweight, including diabetes and heart disease.
