10 sneaky short cuts to lose a stone
Savvy shopping
The more processed food you eat, the more you pile on weight. Why not chose wholemeal as opposed to white bread. White bread has a high GI (Glycaemic Index), which converts to energy quickly, leaving you feeling hungry again in no time.
In your face
Try putting a ‘fat’ photo on your fridge or wherever it is likely to get in your face. It’s a great motivator to help you lose weight or to keep up healthy habits.
Do you eat slowly?
Gulping down food does not give the brain the chance to tell your body it’s feeling full. Researchers at Rhode Island University found that if you are a fast eater you consume 67 more calories at every meal. Chew slowly to lose 1-2lbs a month.
Dear diary
A food diary can be the first step to successful weight loss. It shows you exactly what you have eaten. (We’ve all done a bit of lying to ourselves about the amount we’ve ate!) Once you can see patterns or triggers, you can cut them out and slim city here you come!
Know your labels
If you can’t get the hang of reading nutrition label, some supermarkets have simplified the whole thing by using a traffic light system; green for go, amber for moderation and red for treats.
Portion distortion
Have you seen the Eat Well Plate at www.food.gov.uk? Roughly, it splits your plate into a third for carbs (potatoes, pasta, bread) a third for fruit and vegetables and a third for dairy (milk or cheese), meat/fish and high-fat treats. Why not stick it on the fridge.
Get some shut eye
Scientists at Uppsala University in Sweden have found that missing just one night’s sleep can slow your metabolism by up to 20%. Never a better excuse to hit the sack then!
Stress and pressure is the enemy
Paying bills, jobs, family relationship – these can all cause stress. Have you noticed when you feel tense you opt for convenience meals or can’t resist treats like crisps and sweets? Swapping to low-fat meals and snacks could see you lose a stone in a month.
Booze is a baddie
A nice glass of wine may look like your friend after a tough day – but back away from the bottle. Drinking alcohol regularly racks up the calories without you even realising. If you cut out a large glass of wine on week nights you could lose a stone in a year
Burn baby burn
Whether you want to walk around the block or you’re a proper gym bunny, it’s all activity and the more you burn the more the new, slimmer you will emerge.
