When you hear the words “weight management” you might feel like groaning. Most people associate the idea with restrictive diets and deprivation of their favorite treats. But really, many of the best weight management strategies have more to do with your daily routine rather than calorie restriction. These five tips are incredibly simple, but will go a long way toward helping you maintain your new weight after you’ve succeeded with a medical weight loss plan.
Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation alters your body’s hormones that regulate things like appetite, stress, and fat storage. So making sure you get enough sleep every night will help your metabolism to function correctly.
Eat breakfast. Eat breakfast each morning – particularly something high in protein – and you will kick-start your metabolism for the day. The protein will help you feel full and stave off cravings later in the day.
Avoid calorie-heavy drinks. Okay, so this is a bit of a restriction, but it has nothing to do with food. When you drink sports drinks, sodas, coffees, and alcoholic beverages, you might consume several hundred calories in one sitting. But you don’t really feel full from these indulgences, so you’re likely to keep eating the same amount. The end result is consumption of way too many calories that don’t belong in your daily regimen.
Drink plenty of water. The good news is that you can drink all the water you want! Water aids digestion and prevents dehydration, which can send confusing hunger signals. Sipping water all day can also help you manage your appetite.
Get moving. Scheduled exercise sessions are one thing, but it’s best to simply live a lifestyle that includes regular movement. Make walking, taking the stairs, riding bikes, playing with your dog, and other movement-based activities part of your daily routine. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting outside more!
Just these five steps provide a great foundation to a healthy lifestyle that helps you keep unwanted pounds off your body. But for more information on a medical weight loss plan and managing your weight afterward, call us to schedule a personal consultation.