Whether you want to get rid of those extra calories from the holidays, or want to start working on that beach body, shedding excess fat is quite a challenge.
A good diet and exercise are the foundation of any weight loss process, but there are other factors, too.
Not to worry though, as you can follow these four easy and efficient steps, and get started on your weight loss journey.
Start Getting Strong
Strength or resistance training is a form of exercise where you contract your muscles to overcome some form of resistance. Simply put, you lift something heavy and you get rewarded with increased muscle size and strength.
With the increased muscle size, you will start to passively burn calories. This process can last days after your workout. This means that you will be shedding that extra weight even after you finish your training.
Aerobic exercises will surely help you lose weight, but combining aerobic and strength training is on another lever entirely.
Strength training is best done at the gym, as is aerobic training. If you don’t have access to a gym, you can work out at home and still get amazing results.
Eat More Protein
Low-carb diet is the way to go when it comes to losing weight. However, eating a protein-rich diet is also great way to lower your appetite and shed that stubborn fat.
Protein from high-quality sources like nuts and lean meats will also prevent you from forming unwanted belly fat.
You also want to preserve your muscle mass and speed up your metabolism when losing weight, and a high-protein diet will do both.
You should include protein in your daily diet, and in every meal to speed up that fat loss. Beef, chicken breast, all types of seafood, eggs, nuts, and dairy products are best sources of protein.
Get More Quality Sleep
One of the best ways to prevent fat from coming back is to get enough sleep each day. Going to bed a bit earlier and sleeping in a little could make the difference in your weight loss journey.
Everyone has their own ideal sleep length, but you should be shooting for at least seven hours of sleep a day. The amount you sleep is not the only factor though. You also have to have good quality sleep. You might want to ditch caffeine before bed. Electronic devices can also affect your sleep quality, so be careful.
Add Healthy Fats to Your Diet
Eating fat to lose fat may seem a bit counterintuitive, but healthy fats can prevent weight gain and give you a feeling of fullness.
You will digest fat a lot more slowly than carbs, and your stomach will be slower to empty as well. This will reduce your appetite and make you less hungry.
Mediterranean diet contains olive oil and nuts which have plenty of healthy fats. This diet is proven more effective against weight gain compared to a low-fat diet. You should aim at replacing the unhealthy fats with healthier ones, and keep a moderate consumption.
Get Started Today
If you include these advices into your routine, it will make a huge impact on your weight loss process. They work best when combined. So, start eating healthy, get active, and most importantly get some quality rest.
