6 Healthy Habits That Will Help You Lose Weight

It’s the new year and we’re all feeling the urge to look and feel a little (or lot) better in our skin.  Hey, that’s kinda what new years are for — resetting!  Consequently, there are many detox diets that preach healthy habits, advising people to take up all sorts of weight-loss programs and products, but most likely will prove to be unreliable, too difficult to keep up with, or simply unrealistic long-term.

If knowing how to lose weight and abiding by healthy habits are at the top of your resolutions this year, don’t miss our 6 healthy weight loss tips below to help you lose those extra pounds.

1. Incorporate spicy meals in your diet

Yes, it might sound weird, but it definitely works. If you don’t think you can handle spicy food, don’t sweat it! Starting out slowly will help you get used to it. But why eat spicy food? Well, it effectively raises your metabolism, which in turn will help you have an easier time burning energy. Not only this, but spicy food is not something you can scarf down fast and thus you will eat at a slower rate. This means there will be much less chance of you overeating by the time you realize you are satisfied.

2. Take small bites as part of your daily healthy habits

We’re too used to supersized food portions nowadays and we all know how hard it is to say “no” to them.  Remember at McDonalds when you’d order an apple pie at the drive through in high school and they’d say, would you like to get a 2nd one for just 1 cent? Well, heck yah I want 2 for the same price as 1!

McDonalds apple pies aside (sorry, see where my head is at?!), when you choose a smaller serving, you end up feeling like you will somehow miss out.  However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Yes, it’s a good idea to eat smaller food portions, but the key to enjoying it and staying full is to use smaller spoons or forks so you’ll take smaller bites and to make use of small dishware as well. Say “bye bye” to supersized plates!  It may sound silly, but it’s true because your stomach can’t tell the size of the food portions you are eating.

3. Eat fermented vegetables – lots of them!

When fermenting, the natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food creating lactic acid. This process preserves the food and creates beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various strains of probiotics. Nutrients are preserved in fermented foods and are in a more digestible form. There is even a link between consuming fermented foods and having improved digestion.

Vegetables that have been fermented involve using a starter, salt and filtered water which creates a self preserving, acidic liquid.  This lactic acid is incredibly beneficial to digestion when consumed along with the fermented vegetables or even when sipped alone.  Look for fermented foods including Sauerkraut, Kombucha, Kimchi, Kefir, and fermented pickles.

4. Say “no” to soda, duh! Even diet soda!!

While we’re at it, let us tell you what you should definitely stop drinking, soda! We know you’re tired of hearing it, but you are poisoning your body with soda. Plus, it makes you gain weight because it contains so much sugar.  Don’t think you’re off the hook if you’re drinking diet soda either.  Artificial sweeteners, found in diet sodas, have been shown to have the same effect on your body as sugar.  They trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode, leading to weight gain. Cut it out! If you’re looking for the fountain of youth (I mean, who isn’t), see how sugar ages you.

5. Eat less sugar and carbohydrates

Although it’s beneficial to eat fruit and vegetables as part of your daily healthy habits, you’ll want to avoid high levels of sugar and carbohydrates from other foods. This list shows which fruits to eat for weight loss and which fruits to avoid.

According to the Lancet global burden of disease, “poor diet now generates more disease than physical inactivity, alcohol and smoking combined.” Even those with normal weight who have been consuming too much sugar and simple carbs have a high risk of chronic illness and early mortality. Grab for veggie sticks or other perfectly portioned whole food snacks and skip the over-processed, sugary pick-me-ups aka fruits snacks, candy, donuts, sweetened coffee beverages, etc.

6. Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation

Our last tip is part of the “I already know that” list, but it still doesn’t feel right to conclude without highlighting the importance of moderate alcohol consumption for both your waist and your health. If you’re looking for a healthy alcoholic drink, try our skinny margarita without sugar!

While it is O.K. to have a drink or two every now and then, don’t let it turn into a daily habit.  Women should not drink more than one alcoholic drink per day, and even so, this should not be happening every single day.  The liver needs time off to recover even after processing a moderate level of alcohol. These healthy alcoholic drinks will get you jump-started for weekend festivities.

See?! It’s easy to implement a few healthy habits to your lifestyle and lose weight right away with no physical effort, diet pills or drastic detox programs.  It’s only a short while until you will start feeling the amazing benefits!