This Valentines Day, let’s spread the love. Start with yourself. Once you can fully love yourself you have more to give to others. And one way towards this goal is to take better care of your body and yourself.
Let’s start with eating better! When you eat healthy your body will not only appreciate how well you are treating it (with real unprocessed foods) but you will lose weight and inches and feel and look better!
Here are some easy ways to go about this:
1- Cut out added sugar: this is the biggest waste of calories and a major player in fat. Added sugar is found in foods and beverages like cookies, candies, sports drinks and sodas. Aside from being linked to a slew of health issues, such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, eating too much added sugar can lead to an increased amount of body fat, particularly in the belly area. Cutting back on the amount of added sugar in your diet can help reduce body fat, including love handles.
2- Eat healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds and fatty fish can help slim your waistline. Not only do healthy fats taste delicious, they help you feel full, causing you to consume fewer calories throughout the day. Even though healthy fats are high in calories, incorporating moderate amounts into your diet can help you shed pounds.
3-Eat more fiber: Adding foods rich in soluble fiber to your daily routine may help you get rid of stubborn love handles. Soluble fiber is found in foods like beans, nuts, oats, vegetables and fruits.
4- Eat more protein- adding protein to your meals can help you lose fat and maintain a healthy weight. Protein helps keep you full between meals and may even reduce the urge to snack.
5- Move- exercise daily! Whether it’s yoga, weight lifting, cardio or just a walk around the block, getting up and moving helps to get rid of those unwanted love handles.
6- De-stress- stress has a negative impact on both your mental and physical health, and can even cause you to gain belly fat. This is because stress triggers the production of the hormone cortisol. Many studies have linked increased levels of cortisol with weight gain, especially around the midsection.
7- Drink up- water is the most important drink you should be having! Properly hydrating your body is a must for optimal health.
8- Practice mindful eating- focusing on your food and paying more attention to how you feel while eating can help you shed pounds from your midsection. Mindful eating is a practice that can help you gain control of your eating habits and may lead you to consume fewer calories.
For more guidance and support contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com