Healthy Habits

Focusing on healthy eating strategies is more important than trends or fads when it comes to losing weight. Developing healthy habits will help your physique.

• Eat an early dinner: or at least stop eating three hours before you go to bed. Researchers at Northwestern University found that adults who regularly ate after 8 p.m. ingested the most calories and had the most body fat.
• Reward yourself: establish a reward system once you have a healthy routine. If you reward yourself with a small dessert everyday will prevent you from breaking down and binge-eating. But only reward yourself if you deserve it!
• Eat breakfast: jumpstart you metabolism and prevent yourself from over indulging throughout the day by eating a nutritious breakfast. Eggs with fruit and whole-wheat toast is a great option because it has a healthy balance of fiber and protein. 
• Drink water: researchers from Virginia Tech found that people who drank 2 glasses of water before each meal lost 30% more body fat over 12 weeks than those who didn't. Also, try replacing those sugar-loaded drinks with water. 
• Sleep 6 to 8 hours each night: lack of sleep has been shown to increase appetite, lower willpower and increase cravings for high-calorie foods.  
• Skip the "value" meals: ordering a combo meal just gives you more food than you want or need. Resist the temptation and go with a modestly sized burger or other menu item to save cash and calories. 
• Laugh: depending on your body size and intensity of your laughter, it's possible to lose 10 to 40 calories just by laughing for 15 minutes each day! 
• Walk after meals: walking after a meal can help you lose calories as well as lower your blood sugar and prevent your body from storing fat. 
• Take the stairs: it's easier to maintain your weight when you move more throughout the day. 
• Avoid dinner distractions: pay attention to the meal you are eating so that your brain can register that you are full and satisfied. 

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