It’s awfully easy to put on that extra five kilos over Christmas, but you can lose them just as easily with these 10 foolproof tips. Try some — or all of these small changes to reach a healthy weight, without feeling deprived.
1. Have fibre first up Breakfasting on fibre-dense multigrain toast or wholegrain cereal makes you less likely to feel empty by mid-morning.
2. Replace at least one sugary drink a day: like a soft drink, fruit juice or a sweetened coffee – with a glass of water or green tea, which contains epigallocatechin gallate, a substance thought to curb appetite.
3. Avoid take-aways: Home-cooked food will usually be lower in fat and kilojoules.
4. Use less fat: Rather than sloshing in oil or butter, put extra virgin olive oil in a mist sprayer and top up with water; use to spritz the pot or frypan.
5. Fill a smaller plate: This trick effectively reduces the food you fit on your plate.
6. Brush your teeth: The minty taste sends a message to your brain that you’ve eaten.
7. Be prepared for cravings: Make an ice cream substitute by mixing low-fat cottage cheese with some chopped almonds. Freeze, and eat when you want something sweet.
8. Swap over holding your fork in your nondominant hand will slow your pace and help you realise when you’re full, making you more conscious of overeating.
9. Get gorgeous: Don’t wait till you’ve achieved your goal weight to celebrate your new look. Stay motivated and boost your confidence with mini-makeovers as you progress, such as having a deluxe facial at a day spa, getting a terrific new hair colour and style, buying a to-die-for handbag, or a pretty top (in your new, smaller size!)
10. Use your head:If you hate working up a sweat when you exercise, imagine that the perspiration is fat that you’re shedding. When you clean out your pantry, imagine each package of unhealthy food you’re throwing out is a lump of fat. Playing mind games like these makes sticking to a weight loss plan a lot easier.
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