The Smart Way to Lose Pounds

By Donna Stark

So, you overindulged at Thanksgiving. No big deal, right? After all, isn't that a necessary requirement for everyone? But now, with the new year right around the corner, you want to focus on losing those extra few pounds, and you have it all figured out, too. You are simply going to eat less and exercise more. It certainly seems like a sensible plan, but before you start depriving yourself of food, you may want to rethink your strategy.

Sneaky Saboteurs to Your Diet

Simply eating less is not a guarantee that you will lose the weight you want. The truth is, you need to be eating smarter instead! And you also need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So it's important to know what things and which habits can secretly sabotage your weight loss without you even realizing it. What does that mean? Well, take a look at a few examples below.

• Ease up on the oil - When cooking your meals, don't use more oil than you need. Instead of pouring the oil in your pan, use a pastry brush to dab it on your food. And watch your intake of salad dressings too! Measure the amount you need so you can accurately count those calories and keep it on the side. Dip your greens into the dressing instead of drowning them on your plate.
• Watch your hot beverage add-ins - Your morning cup of joe or cup of hot tea is fine on its own, but when you start adding the half and half, syrups, whipped cream, and honey, it can be more fattening than you realize, so keep an eye on your ingredients.
• Avoid skipping meals - Skipping meals usually doesn't do anything other than increase the likelihood that you will overeat at your next meal. Don't stay in starvation mode. If you want to keep your metabolism at its peak, you should eat several small meals throughout the day.
• Get your sleep - If you are tired throughout the day because you didn't get enough sleep, you might end up making poor food choices or grabbing a sugary pick-me-up to get you through the afternoon. You may also be too fatigued to exercise after work or to cook a healthy meal at home. It's a vicious cycle, so do yourself a favor and get the rest your body needs.

The Smart Way to Lose Pounds

There are so many things and habits that can sabotage your weight loss goals, but hopefully, these few examples will get you thinking about creating a new strategy! Lose your weight the smart way and find a solution that works best for you!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pooler, Ga,