7 Best Habits for Weight Loss
Healthy weight loss is achieved from a balance of healthy lifestyle choices
Last week we showed you some of the best foods for healthy weight loss. To complement healthy food choices, it is also important you make other healthy lifestyle choices to achieve your weight loss goals and maintain them.
Start incorporating these healthy habits into your life:
Be mindful of your portion sizes
A common misconception when eating healthy foods is “I can eat lots of this because it’s healthy.” Although your healthy meal may be bursting with nutrients, at the end of the day, if you consume more energy than you burn, you will gain weight. So keep on making those healthy food choices, but remember to only eat what your body needs.
Cook in bulk
Try doubling the recipe when you’re cooking a healthy meal. Use the leftovers for your lunch boxes that week. Pre-prepared lunches will prevent you from buying takeaways on your lunch break. Your homemade lunches will be lower kilojoule, more nutritious and will save you money!
Don’t eat when you are bored – find something else to do!
It’s pretty common to grab a snack when you’re feeling bored. Eating is fun, delicious and distracting. However, our bodies do not need constant feeding. Try to get into a new habit when you are bored like making a cup of tea, having a glass of water, reading an article or going for a walk.
Limit your alcohol intake
Having a few glasses of wine at the end of the day can feel like much needed relief, but alcohol still counts towards your energy intake. A glass of wine will add 440kj to your day. This is about the same amount as a slice of bread. Considering how easy it is to drink more than one glass, you can see how the kilojoules could quickly add up!
Drink lots of water
A side effect of dehydration is feeling hungry. Quite often, you won’t even realise you’re dehydrated. In fact, 80% of Australians don’t drink enough water. Dehydration can cause fatigue and low energy levels which can lead to cravings! Aim for 8 glasses or 4 water bottles per day.
Exercise!
A combination of cardio and resistance training is important for weight loss. Aim to attend at least 3 classes per week with Live Life Get Active, either in the park or online, to help burn fat and maintain weight loss!
Walk/move more
Exercise sessions are a fantastic way to keep fit and lose weight. Any other extra physical activity doesn’t only help with weight loss, but also helps clear your mind and boost your mood. The healthiest populations in the world live active lives incidentally. Their everyday lives include lots of walking, gardening, chores around the house, outdoor activities – just lots of movement!
We’ve also outlined 7 things to avoid when trying to lose weight here.
Check out this week’s smashed avocado on toast recipe with 4 variations. A perfectly healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner when you’re short for time!
Smashed Avocado on Toast – 4 ways
Serves: 1 Time: 5mins Cost: less than $1.50 per serve
Base
Ingredients
- ¼ avocado
- squeeze of lemon juice
- pinch of salt & pepper
- 1 slice of wholegrain bread
Method
- toast the bread
- smash avocado with a fork
- mix through lemon juice, salt & pepper
- spread avocado on the toast
Eggs
Ingredients
- base
- 1 egg
- a couple slices of tomato
Method
- prepare base
- poach or fry egg
- serve avocado on toast with sliced tomato and egg
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- base
- a few basil leaves, chopped
- a few cherry tomatoes, sliced
- small slice of feta, crumbled
- drizzle of balsamic vinegar (optional)
Method
- prepare base
- Serve avocado on toast with remaining ingredients sprinkled on top
Mexican
Ingredients
- Base
- Handful of black or kidney beans
- ¼ tomato, finely chopped
- coriander (optional)
Method
- prepare base
- Serve avocado on toast with remaining ingredients sprinkled on top
Crunchy
Ingredients
- Base
- Handful of pumpkin seeds
- small slice of feta, crumbled
Method
- prepare base
- Serve avocado on toast with remaining ingredients sprinkled on top
