Many people know the struggle of working really hard and making a lot of sacrifices to lose weight, only for them to gain it back.
For years, health experts have been stressing that it takes small, consistent habits to create a successful weight loss journey, although that gets really frustrating when you’re living in a world where wellness influencers try to convince you that you need to follow strict or fad diets. A TikTok content creator and curve model, Nicki Andrea, recently opened up about how she managed to lose 30 pounds and keep them off successfully. Although she isn’t a health expert, she’s proudly found a system that works for her and is sharing it with her viewers. Read more about it below.
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1. Following Intuitive Eating
Have you ever eaten too much or too little, knowing deep down that your body was already full or you were still wanting more? This is a common way that people gain excess weight or fluctuate with their weight, as they might struggle to follow intuitive eating habits, which encourage them to take the time to listen to their body's hunger cues.
If you struggle with overeating despite being full, Nicki encourages changing your mindset, listening to your body, and knowing that you can always get more food if you need it.
"I allow myself to go to holiday parties and dinner with my friends, knowing I can eat whatever I want because I know that I respect myself enough that when I start to feel physically ill, I'm gonna stop eating," she says.
2. Turning Mealtimes Into A Ritual
One of the biggest reasons why some people easily lose track of what they eat or how much they're eating is that they eat in a rush. After all, people are busy, and some work careers don't allow them to have nice, sit-down dinners or breakfasts all the time.
However, if you do have a more conventional schedule, Nicki notes that making her mealtimes more of a nice ritual where she can take her time and listen to her body, it helped her realize when she had had enough or needed more.
"I'll make myself a cute mocktail or cocktail, I'll light a candle and put on my favorite show or some jazz music, I'll plate everything nicely, and I'll sit down instead of standing over the counter [to eat]," she explains, later adding that this helps her "pay attention" to whether she's still hungry or full after a little while.
3. Avoid A Sedentary Lifestyle & Start Doing Simple Exercises
Another reason why some people might struggle with "yo-yoing" during their weight loss journey is that they try to "overdo it" with their exercise routine. For instance, you might go to the gym at least five times a week for two months straight, lose a bunch of weight, then the second you try to scale back a bit, you gain some back and beat yourself up.
Instead, Nicki and health experts have encouraged people not to "overcomplicate" exercise, and find something that makes them feel good and is not only fun, but easy to work into their routine. In addition to moving around, running errands, and walking her dog, Nicki commits to a weekly pilates class with friends, and believes a "non-negotiable" daily exercise is walking, either outdoors or on a walking pad.
"It will snatch you up, [and] it is so good for your mental health," she adds.
By following these simple tips, over time, you will likely find that not only are you able to shed some excess weight, but you're also able to keep it off, so that you're not stuck in a vicious cycle.
