You know the drill when it comes to losing weight: eat fewer calories and burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans don’t work very well, if at all. Over 90 million people struggle with obesity in the United States alone. To help you combat this crippling dilemma try using these simple and natural tips:
Keep a food diary.
Studies show that many people who eat moderately and healthy during the week tend to binge a bit, calorie-wise, on the weekends. Keeping track of everything you eat, actually writing it down, may seem initially onerous, but it will help you realize when and where you are taking on empty and unhealthy calories. Then you can tweak your eating and drinking habits accordingly.
Use natural herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Many dieticians are convinced that certain natural foods can help in weight loss. Among these natural plants are grapefruit, prickly pear, and Garcinia Cambogia.
Garcinia Cambogia, also known as Malabar Tamarind, has been especially in the spotlight recently. Studies show it has a definite effect on obesity when used properly. It is also an essential ingredient in south Indian cuisine.
Less is more.
Eat three fewer bites of your meal, one less treat a day, or one less glass of orange juice. Doing any of these can save you about 100 calories a day, and that alone is enough to prevent you from gaining the two pounds most people mindlessly pack on each year.
Sniff off some weight.
Sniff a banana, an apple, or a peppermint when you feel hungry. You might feel silly, but research shows it works. One theory is that sniffing the food fools the brain into thinking you’re actually eating it.
Start seeing blue.
Stare at the color blue. There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: it functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall . . .
Eat in front of mirrors and you’ll lose weight. One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.