7 Tips To Lose Weight Without Ever Being Hungry
Many people ask me how I can be married to a French chef and not weigh a ton. I’ve actually lost 20 pounds since we met — with zero effort. And, I have been eating more indulgences than ever before.
The key to being slim is not counting calories; it is being mindful of what you eat and having a lifestyle that promotes good health. Here are 7 tips for losing weight and feeling great:
- Know the science behind grocery store layouts
First things first. Know what you’re getting into when you go to the store. Grocery store layouts are based on scientific research. The bakery is usually always close to the entrance to make you feel hungry as you walk in and buy more food than you intended — usually impulse foods.
It’s best to shop after a meal when you aren’t feeling hungry. Most of the processed stuff is found in the center aisles. If you stay on the outside perimeters, you’ll end up with healthier items in your basket.
- Don’t skip meals
Especially breakfast! I have breakfast EVERY morning. I won’t even go to work without breakfast. You wake up after fasting all night, and your body needs to refuel in the morning. Skipping meals puts your body out of whack.
The key to long-term weight loss is keeping your blood-sugar levels even. Don’t put them on a roller coaster by skipping meals or your body will go into fat-storage mode.
- Don’t deprive yourself of the things you love
If you don’t let yourself have the things you love, you’ll crash and eat ten times more of it than you would have if you had smaller amounts on a regular basis. I am definitely not a diet person.
I eat what I want, when I want, and I don’t have any guilt about it afterwards. If you love chocolate, have a piece. It doesn’t mean you have to eat an entire chocolate bar.
- Fiber is your friend
Your body has to work harder to break down fiber, versus processed foods. Fiber will make you feel full faster. It will also help lower your cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease.
Keep the peels on your fruits and vegetables if you can. You should eat at least 20-35 grams of fiber a day.
- Get Your Fluids!
I always keep a big glass of water near my bed so I can drink it as soon as I wake, to rehydrate and also boost my metabolism. Drinking a glass of water before a meal will also make you feel fuller faster.
A lot of people confuse thirst for hunger. Make sure you are drinking throughout the entire day.
- Eat until you are satisfied
You should eat until you are no longer hungry, not until you are so full that it’s uncomfortable. And don’t count calories. Going on a low-calorie diet may help you lose weight in the short term, but chances are the weight won’t stay away for long.
Feeling hungry all the time is no good. Again, your body will go into fat-storage mode if it believes not enough food is coming its way.
- Light exercise is key
I admit that I don’t spend hours in the gym every day. I haven’t even been to the gym in about 3 weeks. However, I stay active. I walk whenever I can. When I go to the store, I don’t scan the parking lot for the space closest to the door.
Walk when you can, even if it’s for 5 minutes at a time. It will help you lose weight, boost your metabolism, and give you more energy.
There are many, many tips that I will post for you in the future. If you want some meal ideas, check out my husband’s new cookbook, “Eat More, Burn More.”
It is NOT a diet cookbook. There are no portion sizes and in fact, you can eat as much as you want and still lose weight! These are 100 metabolism-boosting recipes that will help you shed pounds while eating foods you love. Bon Appetit!