It’s a fact that most of us have agonized over losing weight and getting fit at some point or the other in our lives. Unfortunately, it’s also a fact that most of us end up failing miserably. Looking at those women on fashion magazines gives us major envy, but how come those ladies seem to be able to do what most of us struggle so much with?
As the saying goes: “if you can’t beat them, join them’. Why not give the fashion model approach to weight loss a try? We’ve gathered up 15 weight loss tips and tricks from Gigi Hadid, one of the most famous supermodels in the world! Check these out and start incorporating them into your diet and fitness regime ASAP!
1. HIIT It Up
HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, include exercises such as jumping jacks, sprinting, biking, jumping rope, etc. A typical HIIT workout session may last anywhere from 10-30 minutes and consists of short bursts of vigorous exercises followed by a short recovery period. The goal is to lose as many calories as possible in as short an amount of time as possible.
2. Lift Weights Thrice a Week
Combining weightlifting with HIIT workouts not only gives you some variety to your workout routine, it also helps you burn more calories. Furthermore, lifting weights at least thrice a week can keep your metabolism on track, since weight loss can naturally cause it to slow down.
3. Get Fishy
A good weight loss diet should have plenty of fatty fish in it. Studies prove that omega-3 found in such fish can help reduce inflammation, which is a major player in obesity and slowed metabolism. You can switch up every other day as well. If you have salmon for lunch today, try tuna or mackerel for dinner the next. Trout, sardines, and herring are some other types of oily fish you can also try. After all, variety is the spice of life!
4. No Gas = Flatter Tummy
Having excess gas can not only make you feel uncomfortable, it can also make you look bloated. A simple solution is to get yourself and anti-gas pill. These over-the-counter pills help break up gas bubbles in your digestive tract, leaving you with a flatter tummy.
5. Shorter More Frequent Workouts
If you find that you don’t have time to set aside a section of your day to workout, break it up into shorter sessions and fit it into your schedule 2-3 times a day. Short workouts throughout the day can also keep your energy levels up from morning to night. For example, a 15-minute run in the morning can help you get energized for the day ahead, some light exercises after lunch will keep you from falling asleep on your desk, and a nighttime walk will help you sleep better.
6. Get on the Avocado Bandwagon
Not a fan of avocado toast? No worries, there are hundreds of other ways you can enjoy this delicious superfood! Avocados are high in fiber and have very little carbs – the perfect combo for a weight loss diet! Adding a side of avocados in at least one meal per day can also help you stay full and stave off hunger cravings.
7. 30-Minute Cardio Session
Just like a HIIT workout, a cardio session intends to get your heart pumping, which will in turn help you lose more calories. You can also plan a workout strategically so that multiple muscles come in to play at the same time. If you’re just starting out, you might want to begin with easy exercises like running, jogging, swimming, or even just walking.
8. Start Your Day with 300 Calories
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, they say, and to an extent, this is true. Starting your day with a proper breakfast gets your energized for the day ahead, while skipping it makes you feel weak and slows down your metabolism. This might make you want to eat a heavier lunch or dinner, causing you to overeat. So, include plenty of healthy, filling foods like eggs, milk, whole wheat, fruits, and vegetables in your morning meal.
9. But First: Selfie!
Gym selfies might seem boastful and pretentious to some, but they do serve an actual purpose. Not only do they keep you motivated to stick to your workout and weight loss goals, they also help you track your progress. Of course, you don’t have to post them online if you don’t want to, but they can really help you see the difference all your hard work is making.
10. Good Night’s Sleep
Not only does a good night’s sleep help you stay more energized and focused throughout the day, it also improves your mental health. And it helps you lose weight faster! That’s right, you actually lose calories while you sleep, so make sure to have at least 7-8 hours of proper sleep every night.
11. Meal Prep
Having your meals prepared can help you stay on track when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. It stops you from ordering takeout on a whim or overeating (not to mention, it also saves you a lot of money). If you don’t have time to cook for the entire week at once, the least you can do is plan out your meals down to portion size. If you don’t have to think about what to cook/eat 3 times per day, you’re less likely to eat foods that aren’t good for you.
12. No Drinking
One of the main things you will need to give up when you’re on a weight loss journey is alcohol. Alcohol is notorious in destroying your body slowly by depressing the central nervous system. It also slows down your metabolism and causes less fat to be burned off, especially when it’s accompanied by a high fat and high calorie meal, meaning more of it ends up being stored as body fat.
13. Load Up On Citrus
Citrus fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C, which is something that helps speed up your metabolism, causing fat and calories to burn faster. They are also delicious, so this shouldn’t be too much of a sacrifice. You can add fruits like orange, grapefruit, and tangerines to a salad or just have them as a refreshing snack in between meals.
14. Say No to Starch
Starchy foods like white rice, white bread, and potatoes (regardless of if it is fried or baked) must be avoided as much as possible. Starch makes you gain weight, it’s as simple as that! It’s best to stick to whole wheat products, but be careful if you’re buying packaged food that claims to be whole wheat. Make sure to check that the ingredients list either whole wheat, whole oat or cracked wheat.
15. Eat Slowly & Focus on Your Food
It’s best to put away any distractions such as TV, phones, or even books while you’re eating. Your brain needs to be actively engaged in the act of eating to understand when it has had enough. Distractions make it more likely to overeat and feel less satisfied with the food. Similarly, if you gobble up all the food too fast, your stomach may not have had enough time to tell your brain it has had enough. You may also swallow large chunks of food in a hurry too, which is a choking hazard!
