To lose excess weight, it is not enough to eat less. It is essential to adopt a varied diet, to exercise and to eat better. These three pillars are the basis of a harmonious and safe method for sustainable weight loss.
- The first few weeks are crucial to kick-start weight loss. Eat a little less, without cheating, and increase your physical activity to boost your metabolism.
- To go further in weight loss, you need to focus on the quality of what you consume.
- To achieve the desired balance, think in terms of a week or a fortnight. For example, if you didn’t eat fish this week, compensate by eating an omelette.
The first few weeks are crucial to start losing weight. Eat a little less, without cheating, and increase your physical activity to boost your metabolism. Expect a period of stagnation. This is not a failure, but a normal phase where the body adapts. Enjoy the pleasure of not gaining weight again.
To go further in weight loss, you need to focus on the quality of what you consume. It is surprising how much we take care of our cars, but not our bodies. Using the right fuel for our body is just as crucial.
Knowing what is good for the human machine, what is essential and what is superfluous, is not a colossal task. Devote a little time to it while respecting the first two principles: eat less and exercise. In a few weeks, you will be able to get rid of the main dietary mistakes.
Differentiate the three food groups to successfully lose weight
There are three major food groups: sugars, fats, and proteins. But not all foods within a category have the same weight loss qualities. For example:
- Sugars: A fruit is sugar, just like a piece of chocolate, but the fruit provides extra fiber and vitamins.
- Proteins: A chicken breast is a protein, just like a mutton chop, but chicken is less fatty.
- Fats: A dose of olive oil is different from a stick of butter; olive oil is more beneficial for health.
Eating a balanced diet means paying attention
Adopting a balanced diet requires paying attention to what you eat. It’s not always pleasant, but once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature. You have to learn to recognize and favor foods that are good for you, while limiting those that make you fat.
Swapping out chips for a snack with carrot pieces or a surimi stick instead of a chocolate bar when you’re feeling peckish are obvious changes. However, there are more subtle choices to make in everyday life.
Make a list of 20 foods to avoid and 20 foods to favor. For example, if you like cheese, opt for Camembert, which is less fatty than Beaufort. A slice of leg of lamb is a better option than a merguez.
Think in terms of weeks to reach your ideal weight
To achieve the desired balance, think in terms of a week or a fortnight. For example, if you didn’t eat fish this week, compensate by eating an omelette. Limit large festive meals to once a week, especially once you have reached your ideal weight.
Weight loss should be gradual to avoid the yo-yo effect. Losing weight too quickly can lead to weight regain just as quickly. Use your common sense to know if you have eaten too much or eaten poorly. By taking a balanced approach and being patient, you can achieve your weight loss goals in a healthy and sustainable way.
