Eating what you love can be one of the hardest parts of dieting and weight loss. Just knowing that there are foods that you’re not allowed to eat when trying to lose weight can make you feel deprived, and it’s tempting to cave into temptation every time a craving hits. Luckily, there are ways to satisfy your cravings while still losing weight, by following these 10 tips to help you eat what you love and still lose weight.
1) Get back in touch with your hunger
If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to get in touch with your hunger. That means being aware of when you’re actually hungry, and not just eating because it’s time to eat or because you’re bored. One way to do this is to ask yourself how you’re feeling before you eat. If you’re not actually hungry, maybe try drinking a glass of water or taking a walk instead.
2) Don’t diet, have better eating habits
Most people who try to lose weight do so by going on a diet. But diets are often restrictive, difficult to stick to, and can even lead to weight gain. Instead of dieting, focus on developing better eating habits. When you eat what you love and avoid food that is processed or loaded with sugar, fats, or salt, your body will naturally regulate its own appetite.
3) Exercise daily, even if it’s just walking
Whenever you start a new weight loss journey, it’s important to find an exercise routine that you can stick to. For some people, that means going to the gym every day. But for others, simply walking around the block is enough. And there’s nothing wrong with that! The important thing is that you find an activity that you enjoy and that you can do on a regular basis.
4) Don’t eat too many snacks
If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to limit the number of snacks you eat. This doesn’t mean you have to give up snacks altogether, but try to limit yourself to one or two per day. And when you do snack, make sure it’s on something healthy like fruits or vegetables.
5) Avoid food pushers
Food pushers are the people in your life who always seem to have food on hand and are always trying to get you to eat it. They may be well-meaning, but their constant pushing can make it hard to stick to your weight loss goals.
6) Know your triggers
One of the best ways to lose weight is to know your triggers – those things that make you want to eat even when you’re not hungry. For some people, it’s certain foods or drinks (like candy or soda). For others, it’s being around certain people or places (like the kitchen). Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to avoid them or find other ways to deal with them.
7) Slow down when you eat
One of the best ways to enjoy your food more and still lose weight is to simply slow down when you eat. When you savor each bite, you not only taste the food more, but you also feel fuller faster. Plus, you’re less likely to mindlessly overeat when you’re eating slowly.
8) Make sure there are no empty calories in your kitchen
When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to make sure that your kitchen is stocked with healthy, low-calorie options. That way, when you’re feeling hungry, you won’t be tempted by empty calories. Instead, if you crave something sweet or salty, reach for an apple or a handful of nuts instead of candy or chips. Fill up on veggies: You may not feel like eating your vegetables when you’re trying to lose weight, but the reality is that vegetables are loaded with nutrients and will help fill you up without filling out.
9) Invest in a set of scales
If you’re serious about losing weight, then you need to invest in a set of scales. Scales will help you track your progress and ensure that you’re losing weight in a healthy way. Take pictures of yourself at the beginning and end of the week: Taking pictures at the beginning and end of the week can show you how far you’ve come with your weight loss journey. Write down what you eat: Writing down what you eat can be helpful because it forces us to think more critically about our diet. It also allows us to monitor how many calories we are taking in.
10) Keep track of your calories and macros each day
- Start by tracking your calories and macros each day. This will help you make sure you’re eating enough of the right foods to lose weight.
- Make sure you’re getting enough protein. Protein helps with satiety and can help prevent muscle loss while you’re dieting.
- Don’t completely deprive yourself of the foods you love. Instead, allow yourself small indulgences each day or week. This will help you stick to your diet in the long-term.