Hampton Creek; Makers of #justproducts

Easy Ways to Lose Weight 

It’s summertime, and that means that many people are on a mission to shed a few pounds before the end of the year. To end the year healthier than you were before, follow these tips to cut calories and live a healthier lifestyle.

Start Walking 

 
For those of us who need to build a significant amount of fitness, walking is the perfect place to start. It’s a low impact exercise that still comes with plenty of health benefits, like boosting your mood and gently strengthening your muscles. If you need to slowly build up your fitness, start walking around the neighborhood instead of joining a gym. Walking is free, and you won’t have to deal with the intimidation and high costs that often come with gyms. Aim for 30 minutes of walking per day for the best results.

Opt for Healthy Alternatives 

If you can’t handle a salad without a helping of dressing, or a sandwich just tastes better with some mayo, have no fear. Although traditional versions of these foods are high calorie and should be avoided, hamptoncreek has created a line of sustainable produced salad dressing, mayo, and cookie dough so you can still enjoy your favorite foods without the extra calories and cholesterol. If you’re looking for new recipes to try, visit their website or Facebook page to find new and exciting foods.

Stop Drinking Your Calories

If you’re used to grabbing a vanilla latte every morning, this is a source of empty calories that you’re probably not even thinking about. Sugary drinks like flavored lattes and soda quickly add up in calories, leading to steady weight gain over the course of time. To stay hydrated and energized without the sugar and calories, try packing a water bottle with a wedge of lemon or bring calorie-free teas to work. Green tea is known for its metabolism-boosting properties and antioxidants, so this is an ideal tea to bring with you to work to sip on throughout the day. It’s low in caffeine, so you can enjoy several mugs each day without interfering with your sleep patterns.

Use an App

If you’re motivated by connecting with others or seeing your progress in numbers, consider downloading an app like MyFitnessPal or Lark. These apps are great for monitoring calorie intake and activity level, and checking in each day can help you stay on track to meet your goals more quickly.

Write In a Food Diary 

If technology isn’t your thing but you still want to keep track of what you eat each day, start a food diary. This can be as simple or elaborate as you like. A plain notebook works just as well as a food diary purchased online, but it’s up to you to decide what best suits your needs.

Take Walk Breaks at Work 

We’ve already discussed how great walking is for your health, but it’s even better if you can find time for short walk breaks at work. Sedentary jobs, which most of us have, can wreak havoc on our health. Too much sitting is linked to cardiovascular problems and diabetes, so it’s important to stand up and move around as often as you can. Once an hour, try to get up and go for a quick walk around the office or around the building.

Drink Water Before Meals 

It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, so try to keep a water bottle with you as often as possible. Drinking a full glass of water before a meal is a great way to prevent overeating and stay hydrated. Drinking cold water has the added benefit of burning a few more calories each day, as your body has to work harder to warm ice-cold water to the correct temperature. Although this won’t make a huge difference in weight loss, drinking cold water is refreshing and effortless.

Eat More Fiber

Adding fiber into your diet is wonderful for weight loss, as it helps you stay full for longer periods of time, leading to fewer calories consumed in the course of a day. Try eating a hearty breakfast like oatmeal topped with berries and flaxseeds, or toss a few tablespoons of chia seeds into your morning smoothie.

Go to Sleep Earlier 

Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep are in greater danger of overeating, as well as having a slower metabolism. If you’re used to going without sleep, try to get to sleep earlier to encourage a healthy metabolism. A good sleep schedule will help regulate your hormones, and going to sleep earlier should also help you stop snacking late at night.

**This is a sponsored post.