Top 10 Tips for Healthy Weight Loss

There are so many diets out there that you may be wondering, which one is the “best” for weight loss? As a Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in intuitive eating, I help women overcome the diet mentality and say goodbye to restrictive dieting forever. Instead of diets, my nutrition practice focuses on helping you heal your mind and body through intuitive eating practices, as well as by flooding your body with wholesome nutrients to achieve the weight loss you desire.

Here are my Top 10 Tips for weight loss, in no particular order:

DRINK WATER

Hunger is often confused with dehydration. Next time you feel like a snack, have a glass of water. Even mild dehydration can alter your body’s metabolism, so aim to drink eight glasses a day and limit soda, caffeine, and alcohol. Drink water before meals to promote weight loss. Studies show people who drink two glasses of water before meals feel fuller and eat less.

EAT CARBS–REAL CARBS!

Replace refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, bagels, cereal, and pretzels with complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber which slows digestion and promotes stable blood sugar levels. They’re also packed with antioxidants which help reduce inflammation in the body. Whole grain carbohydrates instead of refined. Choose breads made from wheat that’s milled, brown rice simply taken straight from the plant – complete with fiber and phytonutrients the way Mother Nature intended.

CHOOSE HEALTHY FATS

A common misconception is that fats should be completely eliminated. In reality, we couldn’t live without fat. The body utilizes dietary fat for energy, hair, skin and nail health, vitamin absorption, and every bodily function. Good fats protect against heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and depression, reduce blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Choose nuts, seeds, fish, avocado, and extra virgin olive oil.

EMPHASIZE LEAN PROTEIN

Our bodies require protein for cell growth and renewal, blood sugar stabilization, and energy. We’re literally made out of the amino acids that make up protein. Many foods contain protein, but the richest sources are animal products like meat, dairy, eggs, and fish, and plant sources like beans, nuts, and seeds. When choosing animal protein sources, be conscious of the way the animal was raised and what it ate. Grass-fed beef and free-range chicken are healthier without any antibiotics, steroids or hormones. Organic yogurt and cage-free eggs are great for vegetarians, while tofu, tempeh, and peanut butter are good vegan protein sources.

EAT BREAKFAST

By eating a hearty breakfast, you’ll jump start your metabolism and reduce cravings. When we skip breakfast, by mid-morning we’re hungry and more likely to overeat. Studies repeatedly show eating breakfast is associated with maintaining a healthy weight. If you’re not ready for breakfast first thing in the morning, listen to your body and eat as soon as you can.

EAT MORE FREQUENTLY

It’s important to eat frequently throughout the day to maintain blood sugar levels and decrease the chances of getting too hungry and binging. Snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon are perfect ways to do this. Try to keep track of your meal choices and balance your caloric intake. Feeding your body on a regular basis lets it know food is available and it’s okay to burn energy rather than conserve and store it as fat.

EXERCISE YOUR BODY AND MIND

Exercise leads to decreased body weight, smaller waist circumference, lower resting heart rate, healthy blood pressure, and improved mood. Aim to be active at least 30 minutes every day to help keep your body stay strong and lean. Any movement is better than none. It’s also just as important to keep your mind active. Boost brainpower by adapting a positive mindset, meditating, reading, and doing Sudoku or another game that engages your brain. Try these tips to get moving:

• Get off the subway or bus one stop earlier.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Go on daily walks or jogs with your dog.

• Play with your children in the park

• Gardening

GET PROPER SLEEP

Research suggests that those who sleep 5 hours or less weigh 5 pounds more than those getting at least 7 hours of shut eye per night. Over time, weight gain can increase more rapidly in those who get 5 hours of sleep when compared to those getting 7 hours. Lack of sleep disrupts circadian rhythms and can lead to fatigue, low metabolism, and overactive appetite. Abnormal leptin and ghrelin levels – hormones that tell your body “I’m full, stop eating” – can go awry with too little sleep. So sleep more, so you can eat and weigh less! Strive for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

LEARN TO COOK

Cooking meals at home allows you to control portion sizes and quality of ingredients, and it cuts your intake of sodium, fat, and calories. Avoid frying foods by learning to roast or bake, and eat more raw foods to boost flavor and cut calories. Use herbs and spices to reduce salt intake.

READ INGREDIENTS

Be a food detective, and investigate what you choose to put into your body. Check labels, and avoid ingredients like sugar, transfats, high fructose corn syrup, and chemical ingredients that are hard to pronounce. The healthiest foods are those found just as nature intended – whole and unprocessed. When was the last time you saw an ingredient list on a stalk of broccoli or a fresh fillet of salmon?

If you need extra help implementing these tips or you’re looking for more of these simple solutions to losing weight holistically and intuitively, be sure to schedule a breakthrough call here with Jessica Kishpaugh, Holistic Nutritionist & Life Coach, free of charge!

Jessica Kishpaugh is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Life Coach and owner of LoYo Wellness in Bergen County NJ (www.loyowellness.com).  Jessica specializes in healthy weight loss, intuitive eating, recovering from emotional eating, stress reduction and mindfulness. For your FREE nutrition breakthrough call, schedule a consultation here.