In recent years, people have been trying out diets, fads and workout plans that limit the weight you put on or take off the excess weight that you don’t want.
Excess weight can cause high cholesterol, high blood p
ressure, high blood sugar and ultimately heart issues and diabetes. Latinos suffer from these dietary issues, which have been on the rise for some time now.
So what are the secrets to keeping pounds off? The main key to weight loss is watching your caloric intake and limiting the bad types of food that you may be eating. A workout is also key to losing and keeping weight off. Once you stop working out, your metabolism slows and weight lost may be gained back.
The most sought after information is how to keep the weight off once you get to that certain point. So here are a few insights into how to keep it off.
1. Don’t fall for the “diet” food. Just because it says low fat or low sodium, doesn’t mean it has less calories or that it’s any better for you than the “real” stuff. When there is less of one thing, there is usually more of another to make up for the imbalance in taste or flavor. It’s better to stick to the real deal and count the calories to make sure they fall in line with your diet.
2. Sleep at least seven hours a night. Sleep is nature’s remedy for a lot of different things, including keeping your body balanced. When you don’t get enough sleep, a hormone called ghrelin increases in production which tells your brain that you’re hungry. It also causes a drop in leptin, a hormone produced when your body is full. Get a good night’s rest to make sure that your body is working correctly and not in need for extra calories to keep you up and moving.
3. Don’t buy excess food unless you have a place for it. Our eyes are their own judge when it comes to consumption. Apparently, studies have shown that when people see food that didn’t necessarily fit in the pantry, it makes individuals want to eat more so that it all fits appropriately. Everything has it’s place and just because it doesn’t have a place, doesn’t mean that you make room for it in your stomach.
4. Cut down your screen time. It has been proven that the longer you sit, the more likely you are to gain weight. So stand once in a while. The best tip for this while at work is drinking water. Not only are you maintaining hydrated but you’re also giving yourself a reason to get up and walk. It might get irritating but it breaks up the monotony. If you have a conference call, walk around while on the phone. Many people are now purchasing stand-up desks for their office so that they stand while working. There are many ways to get yourself moving. Getting off of the computer while at home makes the most sense.
5. Use smaller plates and bowls. The pretty bowl that mami bought you last Christmas makes for spectacular decoration but doubles the amount of food that you eat because it’s so big. Using big plates makes you want to fill it up and like papi always said, “You can’t leave the table until you’ve finished all your food.” Little do people know, that food might be twice to three times the amount you’re supposed to eat as a normal human.