With the growing obesity problem facing the United States, those who are health conscious are constantly on the lookout for new tools and tips on maintaining their wellbeing. There are a wide range of options when it comes to improving fitness and getting a lean, healthy body.
8 Easy Tips To Getting Slim & Fit
The problem is that many people try to cut corners, looking for easy solutions. More often than not, these easy options aren’t effective and can cause more harm than good. The key to really forming a fit and lean body is use proven, natural methods.
Unfortunately, with so much information available, it can be hard to find advice that is sensible and from a reputable source. For those who are looking for detailed information on simple ways to stay fit and lean, ones that have actually been proven to work, this list provides the answers.
1. Talk to a Doctor
The first thing that people should do when trying to change their fitness and become leaner is to talk to a medical professional. This very simple step is crucial for the success of overall wellness, but it is often overlooked.
Doctors will be able to provide much needed information on exercises and diets, with the health of their specific patients in mind. Because everyone will need a different approach when it comes to fitness, having a doctor provide support is very important.
Sometimes, there are health conditions that people don’t realize they have that could be effecting their weight loss. For example, an estimated 20 million adults in the United States have a form of thyroid disease.
However, despite these high numbers, only 40% are aware that they have a problem. And because the thyroid is so crucial in weight loss, knowing this is an issue before starting a fitness regime can change how people approach their goals. Doctors are able to provide this extra information that, in the long run, aid in reaching fitness goals.
2. Change Sleep Habits
When people think about getting healthy, more often than not, their minds go straight to diet and exercise. However, these are only two aspects of wellbeing. One additional aspect that is often overlooked is sleep.
People need to get adequate sleep to feel refreshed and for their bodies to recover. The problem is that research has found that more than 30% of American adults are sleep deprived, which can lead to a host of problems.
There are many weight related issues that are directly tied to lack of sleep, like a slowing of the metabolism and an imbalance of hormones. Over time, this doesn’t just leave people feeling tired throughout the day, and more likely to snack on unhealthy foods, but it also causes steady weight gain. In order to combat this, proper sleep habits need to be enforced.
Some of the best tips for forming sleep habits resolve around routine. The body loves routine, so finding one that works to promote better and longer sleep is perfect for those trying to reclaim their health.
Many have started turning their devices off an hour or two before sleeping, creating an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Others drink tea, read, or take warm showers. Often, people need to tweak these routines to find out what works best for them.
3. Manage Stress Levels
It’s a fairly well-known that when people are experiencing high levels of stress, eating salty or sweet carbs is a go-to coping mechanism. And this process is totally biological. As stress levels increase, the body creates more cortisol, which increases appetites. So the more stressed people are, especially if they’re stressed over long periods of time, than it makes sense that stress often leads to weight gain.
The key to overcoming the affect stress has on the body is to learn how to cope with stress, leading to the reduction of stress levels. People who want to learn to naturally overcome stress levels might have to try a few things to find what works best for them, but over time this will prove to be invaluable.
Some of the most popular ways of managing stress are meditation, yoga, walks, or power naps. Once people find what works for them, they should form the habit of turning to their solution whenever they feel their stress levels start to rise.
There are also many foods that can help minimize food cravings and control cortisol levels. Vitamins B and C are known for curbing the appetite and improving stress levels. Nutrients like calcium and magnesium can be taken as supplements, as they also work to help stress management.
Finally, Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in many dairy products, fruits, and fish, help decrease stress and feelings of aggression.
4. Plan Meals
What and how people eat will always play the biggest role in losing weight and getting fit. If people aren’t fueling their bodies with the proper nutrients, they can’t be expected to live healthy lives.
This is why making deliberate food choices is so important for supporting the wellbeing of the body. However, food is often the biggest stumbling block for people, which is why it requires a little extra planning.
It’s extremely popular these days to meal prep, which involves making meals for the next week all at one time. This allows people to have better control over their portions and make the choices for their meals without being hungry or in a rush.
However, not everyone has the time or money to make meals ahead of time. Instead, it’s recommended that people plan for their meals ahead of time, making concrete choices for the week, even if they can’t meal prep.
When meals are planned ahead of time, whether this means making them or planning where to eat, people have better control over their choices. They can avoid fast foods and grocery shop with goals in mind.
By only purchasing foods that are for these specific meals, people will also be less likely to snack on unhealthy options, allowing them to stay in control of their food choices.
5. Recognize Real Hunger Pangs
It’s normal for people to hear their stomachs growl and immediately assume that it is a signal that they’re hungry. However, this can often be misleading. The part of the brain that controls and sends out hunger pangs, the hypothalamus, also sends out the signals for thirst.
More often than not, when people think they’re hungry, they are actually thirsty. In fact, a recent report found that over 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration.
The best way to overcome the obstacle of recognizing hunger is that when a person thinks they’re starting to get hungry, they should drink a cup of water. If after a quarter of an hour they’re still hungry, then they should go get food.
Those who truly want to transform their bodies should start drinking more water overall, as it can help with weight loss, reduce headaches, and boost energy levels.
6. Eat Smarter
Meal plans have already been mentioned on this list, but there are several other ways that those who want to get fit and slim can adjust their diets to improve their weight loss. With these few key points, people won’t just eat less, they’ll eat better, allowing them to reach their goals sooner rather than later.
While this has already been discussed briefly, one of the best ways to eat smarter is to watch portion sizes. So often, people eat very quickly, despite it taking time for their stomachs to send the signals that they’re full. Unfortunately, more often than not, this means people end up with that ‘stuffed’ feeling, which means they’ve eaten too much. An easy way to combat this problem is by being more aware of portion sizes.
People should eat half as much as they think they want, eating as slowly as possible. Then, if after a time they still feel hungry, they can eat in quarters. It also helps to use smaller dishes, which give the illusion of eating more food, tricking the brain into feeling fuller.
Another important aspect of eating smarter is to eat the right foods at the right meals. The saying to eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper has a lot of truth to it. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, despite how many people opt to skip it in and replace it with coffee.
According to experts, a high protein breakfast is critical for setting the tone for the rest of the day. Not only will protein provide energy for the day, but it will also keep people full so they don’t want to snack between meals. Because it’s hard to start eating bigger breakfasts, this habit can be adopted slowly, with servings gradually getting bigger.
7. Detox
When people struggle to lose weight and get fit, they often blame it on what they’re eating or how they’re exercising. However, the truth is that sometimes the body isn’t working as it should because it has become too clogged with toxins.
In order to keep the body balanced and maintain a healthy digestive system, detoxing is very important. There are several simple ways to detox on a daily basis to make sure the body is working optimally.
One of the most popular types of detoxing is a juice detox. In these programs, users only drink vegetable and fruit juices for a period of several days, giving their bodies time to flush all the toxins. Because these juices are high in nutrients, users of this method aren’t putting their health at risk. Plus, the juices are easier to digest, giving the body a much needed break.
For those who can’t commit to an extended detox, drinking a mixture of lemon and warm water every morning can have similar affects over a long period of time. Another method is to drink raw apple cider vinegar, which contains vital probiotics. With these simple changes, the body will begin to restore balance, allowing the weight loss process to be easier.
8. Get Active
Finally, one of the most important ways to get slim and fit is to start getting active. Weight loss occurs when people burn more calories than they consume on a daily basis. Half of this equation depends on people consuming fewer calories, but the other half relies on burning more calories by getting active. Moderate exercise practiced regularly doesn’t just help drop the pounds, it also improves overall health, support lung, cardiovascular, and cognitive health.
The key to getting active is finding an exercise that is fun. Everyone will have a different idea of what is fun for them. For some, it’s weight lifting, for others it’s running. Because exercise needs to become a routine, it’s vitally important for those practicing it to like what they’re doing.
If someone hates running, they’re going to look for every excuse to miss a day, which is the first step in stopping exercise altogether. It also helps to have a support system for these exercises. Whether the exercise is done in a group or people check in with one another every week, having an accountability partner or group keeps users going.
Getting Slim and Fit Tips Conclusion
With the eight points listed above, users will be able to get the fit and slim bodies they’ve always wanted, in a safe and natural way. By following these tips, users won’t just be able to get the weight off, they’ll be able to keep it off.
