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There’s a lot of pressure to lose weight by spring. That does not mean you have to feed into it. However, if you do want to slim down a little, there is a lot of mixed information out there — and a lot of unhealthy tips are marketed as the opposite. So what’s the solution? Consulting a trusted doctor or dietitian is always your best bet, especially if you’re looking for a more individualized approach.
However, if that isn’t in the cards for you (or your budget), there are some doctor-approved weight loss tips you can start implementing in the meantime. These gradual lifestyle changes can help you see progress when it comes to losing weight without promoting serious (and restrictive) dieting.
Keep reading for all the details.
Make sure you're hydrated
If you haven't heard that you need to be drinking more water, you are not listening to the right people. Dr. Cedrina Calder, M.D., aka the FitDoc, tells Eat This, Not That!, "The first tip I usually recommend to anyone whether it's patients or people I come across is to increase your water intake."
"The vast majority of people do not get adequate water intake throughout the day. So drinking more water helps because that has been shown to increase your metabolism, and it will also help to give off extra water weight that you may be carrying around, too," Dr. Calder explains. "And just in general it keeps you hydrated. It's needed for all different processes that your body does."
Although more hydration is pretty much always a good idea, it has particular benefits for those hoping to shed a few pounds.
Healthline explains, "One study showed that drinking a half-liter (17 ounces) of water about half an hour before meals helped dieters eat fewer calories and lose 44% more weight, compared to those who didn’t drink the water."
Watch your portions
Making sweeping changes to your diet -- especially restrictive ones -- rarely work in the long run. More likely than not, these diets are unsustainable. Instead of cutting out entire food groups, try shifting your focus to portion size.
"I think a lot of people are eating larger portions than they realize, so if you're eating huge portions at a time, you're obviously going to be taking in more calories than if you were eating smaller portion-sized meals," Dr. Calder explains.
With these doctor-approved tips in mind, one thing is clear: healthy weight loss does not mean depriving yourself. Lifestyle changes -- a healthier diet and a regular exercise routine -- are truly the foundations of sustainable, healthy weight loss.
