5 Best Sustainable Ways to Lose Weight Naturally

We have said it time and again that there is no magic pill to shed those extra pounds. No fad diets, or fast weight loss pills or supplements, or anything that claims to magically help you lose that belly fat without cultivating a few healthy habits. But there are best ways to lose weight gradually instead of losing muscles, bones, and water, which happens when we look for overnight solutions. Let’s remember that weight loss is a journey that is different for everyone. What works for one, may not work for the other. But by adopting natural, comprehensive methods like the ones mentioned below - you will lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

See, putting on weight is always easier than getting rid of the excess flab. And, what many people can tell from their own experience is that it’s not that simple to burn more calories than what you consume. But, in all of this, your metabolism plays a vital role in turning your calories to fuel. 

Of course, calorie deficit is a real thing and of course it helps to ration your portions according to your calorific needs, but often a lot of us go wrong in measuring the same. Rather, we say that start tracking what it is that you eat and what works for your body. Start reading food labels, figure out how many calories you consume based on your level of activity. Increase your water intake so that you can tell when you are hungry and when you are just bored.

Some of the major culprits for weight gain are what comes in the form of ultra processed foods, like cereals, chips, crackers, and cookies. Anything that has an abnormal shelf-life is not something that you want to add to your grocery cart. This includes your sugar-packed beverages drinks like all carbonated drinks like soda and those energy replenishment drinks. So now you might be wondering, that I got the grocery part, but what is that I am supposed to start with for my weight loss journey? Well, let us help you there!

5 Sustainable Weight Loss Habits to Adopt

If you're looking for weight loss tips at home backed by science, there are a few tips that hold true for almost all of us, regardless of our body types. But do remember, that losing those extra pounds really depends on your metabolism, physical activity, and your own body composition. 

Add Green Tea to your daily life 

Well, one cup of unsweetened green tea thrice daily can help you lose weight and most importantly, help you with energy and increased endurance for your physical exercises. How it works is that green tea contains catechins and caffeine, both of which synergistically work to further your weight loss efforts by helping boost your metabolism. Catechins also help in breaking down excess fat in the body and caffeine keeps your energy levels up, thereby playing a significant role in pushing your weight loss efforts to show sustainable results.

You can try our unique 60 Day Green Tea Detox Kit that is a set of 4 green tea blends that include our Organic Himalayan Green Tea, Mint Melody Green Tea, Chamomile Mint Citrus Green Tea, and the delicious Sweet Himalayan green tea blended with prized herbs and spices.

Get Movin’

Choose an exercise that is sustainable for you and which you enjoy doing! Cardio workouts are effective when it comes to losing weight; but you could choose almost anything that gets you moving, like a walk, yoga, sports, or just dancing to some your favorite tunes at home for sometime! Exercising regularly surely helps you lose weight by burning calories, getting that heart rate going, and helps release endorphins that will help lift your mood. Start with something that you know you can sustain, or if you struggle with the motivation to do so, you could buddy up with a friend or a family member who can help you be on track.

Stop Drinking Sugar, Seriously

It is very easy to sneak in extra calories when you drink sugary beverages. So, avoid carbonated beverages, caffeinated iced lattes with ice creams, sugary bottled juice, or those energy drinks. These drinks add no nourishment to your body and are chock full of sugar. Rather, substitute it with unsweetened herbal tea, freshly-squeezed fruit juices, green teas, black coffee, or just herbal lattes like a Turmeric latte, but not the one you like to get at your local boutique cafe. Make it at home with this ready-to-brew turmeric golden latte mix.

If you are new to it, don’t worry, your taste buds will gradually adjust to the change and you will find your choice of beverage soon. So, the next time you enter your favorite coffee shop, ask for an herbal tea or an unsweetened black tea or a nice calming Oolong tea. You will notice how you will begin to feel better with time. Believe us, it is one of the best way to lose weight. 

Get Sufficient Sleep

And, while you are at it, make sure you are sleeping enough and dodge the lifestyle that is making you cheat sleep. Sometimes, lack of sleep can lead to additional weight gain because it leads to hormonal imbalances, or induces stress which can impact your eating habits and the interval between meals which is equally bad. Get a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 hours of sleep per night and see how good sleep hygiene can make a difference in your life. 

 

Drink Lemon Honey in Lukewarm Water 

Take about half a lemon, two teaspoons of honey, and one glass of warm water. Add the juice of lemon to the glass of water. Mix well and add two tbsp of honey. Drink this every morning after you wake up. This combination is one of the very popular weight loss tips because Vitamin C in lemon helps fat oxidation and the honey exhibits lipid-lowering activities.

Make an Meal Plan that Suits You

Try noting down what you eat and then map what foods suit you, keep you satiated for long, help energize you and see what nutrition they contain. Form a meal plan and prep over the weekends to cook for it. Get your proteins first as they will fill you well and also are great for building muscle mass. Include whole grains, nuts and fruits with some yogurt or your vegan oatmeal bowl. Not just this, eating on time is equally important. Even something as not eating after 6 PM can make a big difference to your weight loss journey.

Just make sure your plan goes well with your lifestyle. Don’t just pick what worked for a friend, instead pick what works for you. Make a sustainable diet plan that doesn’t hyper focus on calories, rather focuses on nutrition. Try and avoid processed foods as much, and keep the take-out at a minimum. Even if you end up ordering food, go for healthier salads, brown rice sauteed with vegetables, or a healthy stew or curry. Demonizing food is not the solution, adopting what works for you is the key to weight loss.

 

Consume Mindfully 

Last but not the least, practice mindful eating where you pay attention to how and what you eat and drink. Make sure you are sitting down to eat, preferably at a table and enjoy the experience. Avoid moving while drinking. Avoid any distraction and eat slowly. Take time to chew your food. This way you are giving your brain enough time to process the incoming signals that you are full, so that you end up don’t overeating. Actually, this way you are doing a natural colon cleanse every day because the role of bacteria in the gut is also very important in weight management.

What is your gut telling you? Never discredit your gut instinct, they say. You just need to start working on these weight loss tips at home, you will see the difference and then, there is no looking back.

Until next time!

Heena Mahajan,

Contributing Wellness Author for Vahdam India