One of the most common health issues in America is obesity, which can put people at a greater risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other diseases. According to the CDC, obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. But you can still be at risk of developing health issues if your BMI is in the overweight range, which is between 25 and 30.
To help you achieve a healthy body weight without falling prey to fad diets or risky behaviors, here are some natural weight loss tips to consider.
Focus on Whole Foods Rather Than Processed Foods
One of the best ways to watch your weight without sacrificing delicious foods is to focus on real, whole foods rather than processed convenience foods. Pre-packaged foods are often high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium, which can lead to weight gain.
Track Your Food Intake and Exercise
It’s hard to know where to begin with weight loss is you aren’t sure where you’re starting from. Keep a weight loss journal either in paper form or with an app so that you can document what you eat at certain times of day and also your exercise progress. Having such a journal will keep you more accountable to your weight loss goals and help you see measurable results.
Practice Eating Mindfully
With regard to weight loss, there are few things worse for you than mindlessly shoveling food into your mouth out of stress or boredom when you’re not even hungry. Make a point to eat more mindfully, which means actually thinking about what you are eating and why. Savor the flavors of your food and enjoy each bite so that you begin to establish healthier eating habits.
Try Natural Body Cleansing
Rather than investing in costly and risky bodily cleansing products that are mostly hype, focus any cleansing strategies on natural and whole foods you can trust. For example, Seagate’s Nopal Cactus caps support diet and colon cleansing naturally and can be taken before a meal or poured into smoothies.
Eat More Protein and Fiber
If you eat more protein-rich foods, you can support healthy weight loss as well. Research shows that high-protein diets may help control appetite and aid in body weight management. Fish, beans, tofu, lentils, and poultry are good sources of lean protein. Also, diets rich in fiber can help you feel fuller for longer and prevent overeating out of boredom rather than true hunger.
Reconsider Your Beverages
Many people get far too many calories from beverages they drink, such as soda, beer, and sugary juices. Focus your drinking on pure water as much as possible and drink more of it than you’re used to as a way of supporting natural weight loss.
Get Enough Sleep
When you are overtired, you are more prone to making unhealthy decisions, such as going through the fast food drive-through or binge eating late at night. Aim to get around seven hours of sleep per night to support overall wellness and feel mentally prepared to live healthier during the day.
Keep Healthy Snacks Available
Many people don’t eat healthy because it is inconvenient and they simply aren’t surrounded by healthy food options. Plan your grocery shopping trips so that you will have plenty of healthy snacks in your pantry at home and also portable snacks that you can take with you to work, on car trips, and anywhere while out on the go. Some good options include whole pieces of fruit, low-fat yogurt, dried seaweed, pre-chopped vegetables, dried fruit, and nuts.