For many women, the topic of weight loss can seem complicated and difficult. The amount of information out there about losing weight for women is staggering. Unfortunately, a large percentage of that information is useless when it comes down to actually helping women lose weight. If you want to lose weight, you do not have to go through a complicated set of steps to reach your goal. In fact, following the five simple tips outlined below can help you start seeing progress on your weight loss journey.
Increase non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT)
One of the simplest ways to start losing weight is to increase your movement throughout the day. Movement that is not a part of your dedicated workout program is called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Examples of NEAT include: getting up from your desk every hour and taking a short walk, choosing the stairs over the elevator whenever presented with the option, playing outside with your kids, etc. Looking for opportunities to include more movement throughout the day is a way for you to burn more calories and integrate physical activity into the rhythm of your life.
Eliminate processed foods from your diet
There is not a one-size-fits-all eating plan that works for every single person who wants to lose weight. That fact is obvious by the number of diets and eating plans that are available. There are, however, some rules for weight loss that every woman who wants to lose weight should follow. One of those rules is to eliminate processed foods from your diet. Processed foods are full of chemicals, often high in calories, and designed to be hyper-palatable to increase the amount you eat. One of the easiest ways to sabotage your weight loss efforts is to continue eating a lot of processed foods. Reducing and eventually eliminating these foods from your diet can be a big part of successfully losing weight.
Get serious about your water intake
Another universal rule for weight loss and overall health is to drink plenty of water. If you normally drink sodas, fruit juice, and flavored coffee drinks, simply switching to water can cut hundreds of calories per day out of your diet.
Focus on how your body responds to the way you eat
One of the reasons there are so many different eating plans and diets is the fact that people respond differently to food. Some do just fine on a high protein, low carb eating plan while others cannot tolerate it. The same is true for just about any other type of eating plan. Learning how your body responds to the way you eat is an important part of losing weight. The official term for this is ‘intuitive nutrition’. You can learn more about the process by getting the Intuitive Nutrition Guide designed by the experts at MAPS Fitness.
Make resistance training your priority
Spending intentional time working out is an important part of successfully losing weight for women and men. Many women mistakenly believe that weight loss requires hours of cardio. In reality, focusing on resistance training will help you lose weight and keep it off long-term. Resistance training builds muscle which, in turn, increases your metabolism. As your metabolism increases, you naturally burn more calories while at rest. Resistance training creates a virtuous cycle where your efforts in the gym continue to pay off even after your workout session is complete.
The process of weight loss for women is not complicated. However, simple and easy are not the same thing. You will have to work to get off the extra pounds. It will take effort to change your eating habits, start listening to your body, and stay committed to a workout plan. The good news is that your efforts will feel worth it as you start to see results.
