Last year, I realized I was the heaviest I have ever been. Not that I was huge, but I certainly was headed down a path I wasn’t proud of and was starting to show it. I was eating unhealthily, not following an exercise routine, and just sort of flying by the seat of my pants. I kept getting sick, and finally decided I had had enough. I took matters into my own hands and found a few ways that helped me feel more like myself again. I found a few ways to lose a few pounds all without working out.
- Hydrate
I am NOT one to just drink plain water. I found that drinking infused water really helped me get my H2O in everyday. I got my infuser bottle at a local grocery store (so they should be available everywhere) and bring it with me most places I go. Lemons, mint, and strawberries are a few additions that I absolutely love! And, as silly as it sounds, grab a straw and put it in your bottle. Drinking out of a straw makes me drink so much more!
- Weekday Vegetarian
I try my best eat plant-based during the week. Keeping my diet plant-based allows me to fuel my body in a cleaner way. I added quinoa, beans, vegetables, and tofu to my diet while dropping major fatty foods. I also am a huge Greek yogurt fan for added protein.
- Routine
My body operates best when I am in a set routine. Typically, I wake up at the same time each day, eat roughly the same foods at the same times, and hydrate throughout the day. While some people plateau when keeping with the same routine, it does help to have a basic plan when getting started, and keeping, a healthier lifestyle.
- Sleep
I get made fun of on a pretty consistent basis for how long I sleep. Typically I sleep a full nine hours a night! I know, I’m quite the party animal! I love my sleep and operate best the next day when I am fully rested. Having a good sleep schedule in place aids in allowing our bodies to rejuvenate and restore from the previous day.
- Meditation
This is a HUGE weight loss tool. If I meditate, it allows me to make enough room mentally to be able to take on other tasks – like making healthier choices. I recently started learning how much we can each benefit from meditating. Whether it is guided, or practiced on my own, doing this daily before I go to bed also allows for a better night’s sleep.
- Eating Regularly
This ties into my routine greatly. I start my morning with my protein shake. I never skip it because then my whole day would be off. I started drinking shakes about two years ago and haven’t looked back. I then have yogurt as my morning snack. My lunches and dinners vary depending on what I buy at the store that week, but it’s typically plant-based and a big salad of some kind, and it’s always around the same exact time. My Pinterest board of healthy foods is a way I keep up with what I’m interested in making. I’m also addicted to the Tasty page on Facebook.
- Efficiency
Granted, this can go for any lifestyle change, but the saying fail to plan, plan to fail has never rung so true. Each weekend I make a list, go to the grocery store, and stick to it. I meal prep every Sunday and stock my fridge with plenty of food. Planning out each meal has allowed me to stay on track and watch the pounds disappear. I also have saved some major cash along the way.
While I’m not perfect, these tips have seriously helped. I may fall off the straight and narrow now and then, but I’m certainly on my way. I love connecting with other people who are on the same path. We have a similar goal in mind and we share tips along the way. My next step is to add working out. One step at a time, I’ll get there.
Featured image via Trang Doan on Pexels
