avatarSara Marium

Summary

The author lost 8kgs by making ten simple lifestyle changes, focusing on healthy eating, regular exercise, proper hydration, adequate sleep, and mindful eating habits.

Abstract

The article details the author's journey to weight loss, emphasizing the effectiveness of sustainable lifestyle changes over quick-fix diets. The author adopted a healthier diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins, while avoiding junk food. Regular morning walks and stair climbing were incorporated into their routine to increase physical activity. The importance of staying hydrated is highlighted, with the author suggesting flavor-infused water to make it more appealing. Ensuring a full night's sleep and avoiding eating late at night also played crucial roles in the weight loss process. The author stresses the benefits of being mindful during meals and preparing healthy homemade snacks to curb hunger. These changes collectively contributed to the significant weight loss achieved by the author.

Opinions

  • The author believes that there are no shortcuts to fat loss and that sustainable weight loss requires a slow and steady approach.
  • They express that self-control is key to maintaining a healthy diet and that the effort put into eating nutritious food is worth the results.
  • The author found enjoyment in their new morning walk routine, suggesting that exercise can become a pleasurable part of one's day.
  • They advocate for the importance of hydration, suggesting that many people mistake thirst for hunger, leading to unnecessary eating.
  • The author emphasizes the necessity of adequate sleep for weight management and overall health.
  • They recommend avoiding distractions like cell phones during meals to prevent overeating and to appreciate the eating experience fully.
  • The author promotes the idea of homemade snacks as a healthier and more cost-effective alternative to store-bought options.
  • They advise against late-night eating, recommending an early dinner for better digestion and sleep quality.
  • The author encourages gradual lifestyle changes rather than extreme diets or exercise regimens, suggesting that small, consistent steps lead to significant results.

10 Easy Lifestyle Changes That Helped Me Lose 8kgs

Minor Changes With Major Impact

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GM diet, liquid diet, egg diet…AND WHAT NOT!

I have tried them all.

But trust me, nothing helped.

I was so desperate to lose weight that I malnourished my body.

Face Palm! I ended up getting sick.

And that’s when I realized — there is no shortcut to fat loss!

I knew if I wanted to shed kilos, it would be a slow and steady process. And it will require some major lifestyle changes as well.

So here are the top ten easy lifestyle changes that helped me lose 8kgs in just two months:

1) I started eating healthy and nutritious food

I cut down on junk, fried, and oily food completely.

I made sure to eat only homemade food.

And whenever possible, I packed my own lunch for wherever I head to! It helped me greatly because it prevented me from binging on unhealthy office cafeteria meals.

I started eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies.

I also included more protein in my diet. I ate eggs, fish, chicken, and nuts daily.

This was undoubtedly one of the most difficult steps for me because it involved lots of self-control! But all that effort paid off very well when I saw myself shedding fat at a steady pace.

2) I started going for a morning walk

I started going for a morning walk every day. At first, I did it very slowly and gradually increased my speed day by day.

Image Credits: Bu Author

Walking is a great way to start your day, and it also helps in burning calories.

After some time, I started enjoying my walks and looked forward to them every day!

Now, I make sure to go for at least an hour’s walk everyday morning. It’s become like a ritual for me, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the day.

I have also started including stretching exercises in my routine. This helps me feel more energized and refreshed for the rest of the day.

If you are not a morning person, try going for a walk in the evening or at night after dinner. Just make sure to schedule it into your daily routine.

3) I started drinking more water

I was never a diehard fan of drinking plain water.

But then I realized that most people mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating food when they’re dehydrated!

To turn my water into something interesting, I added two cardamoms, 3 apple slices, and 1 small stick of cinnamon in a jug of water.

I kept sipping on it the whole day, and I felt much lighter and energized!

Trust me; you will start feeling the difference when you drink enough water every day!

Also, drinking lots of water helps flush out toxins from your body which is essential for weight loss.

So make sure to drink at least three liters of water every day!

If you don’t feel like drinking what I’ve told, then try adding a slice of lemon. It will make the taste better, and it’s also good for digestion.

You can add other fruits like strawberries as well.

4) I started sleeping on time

We are not human bots! We need at least seven to eight hours of sleep every day.

Without enough rest, our body starts feeling tired and weak, resulting in overeating and binge eating!

Lack of sleep negatively affects your moods, health, concentration, and productivity.

So it is very important to get good sleep every day.

I used to stay up late at night before starting my weight loss journey, but now I make sure to be in bed latest by 11 pm.

Sleep is so important that you need not compromise on it for anything!

5) I stopped using the elevator

Whenever possible, I tried to climb up and down the stairs instead of taking an elevator or escalator.

One of my favorite exercises helped me lose weight without even realizing it!

Not only did it help in burning calories, but it also strengthened my leg muscles. This is a win-win situation!

The first time I tried it, my legs were aching the next day, but it got easier and more enjoyable with time.

Nowadays, I even try to take the stairs when shopping at the mall. Whenever possible, take out some extra minutes from your daily routine and use it to do some simple exercises like this one.

You will see the difference in your weight and overall health in just a few weeks!

6) I stopped using my cellphone while eating

To avoid overeating, I stopped using my cell phone while eating.

I used to do this a lot before, but I made sure not to eat mindlessly when I was on a weight loss journey.

This helped me be more conscious of what and how much food I was consuming!

You will be surprised by how much you can eat without even realizing it when you’re using your cellphone.

Try to be present while eating and really savor the flavors and textures of the food. This will help in reducing your overall calorie intake.

Also, try not to watch TV or work on the computer while eating. It’s best to give your full attention to the food you’re eating!

7) Homemade snacks helped me a lot

Whenever I felt hungry in between meals, I started preparing homemade snacks instead of opting for unhealthy snacks from the store.

I would either roast some nuts or seeds like almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds or make a fruit salad with my favorite fruits.

Both of these options are healthy and help in keeping hunger at bay.

Making your own snacks also helps save money and avoids eating processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

If you’re feeling lazy to cook or don’t have enough time, then store some healthy snacks like roasted nuts and seeds or fresh fruits in your fridge so that you can grab them when hunger strikes!

8) I stopped eating after 7 pm

I used to have dinner late at night before, resulting in weight gain.

Once I started having my dinner early, I lost a lot of weight because the food gets digested easily!

Make sure that you eat your last meal three hours before going to bed so that your body has enough time for digestion. It will also help you get good sleep and prevent you from waking up to go pee!

If you’re hungry even after dinner, try drinking a glass of warm milk with turmeric or coconut oil.

You can also have some roasted nuts for snacking but make sure that it’s more than an hour before bed.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t go towards insane diets or exercise routines.

Instead, try to make small and gradual lifestyle changes that will help get the desired results without feeling deprived or losing motivation!

Start by making one change today, and then add more as you get comfortable with each change.

You can even take a printout of this list for reference whenever you feel like giving up on your weight loss goals.

I hope that you found these points helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you want to add any other tips for losing weight naturally and easily!

Fitness
Life Lessons
Lifestyle
Life
Health
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