1. Drink Water
The importance of this tip was brought up to my attention when I attended a HEAL (Health Educated Asian Leaders) meeting at my University. Turns out that when your stomach is dehydrated, it pushes out—making you look chubbier than you actually are. No one wants that, omg. I won’t go into too much detail about this since there are billions of articles that talk about it. But yes, it aids in digestion, help move toxins out of your body, keeps your skin healthy, and so much more.
The importance of this tip was brought up to my attention when I attended a HEAL (Health Educated Asian Leaders) meeting at my University. Turns out that when your stomach is dehydrated, it pushes out—making you look chubbier than you actually are. No one wants that, omg. I won’t go into too much detail about this since there are billions of articles that talk about it. But yes, it aids in digestion, help move toxins out of your body, keeps your skin healthy, and so much more.
2. Have a scale or some kind of tool that measures your results
Although many people find that this might not be as significant as other tips, I find that it is just as important as any other. For someone who has struggled with weight for her whole life, I easily gave up when I started dieting because I never saw a difference within myself. First of all, it is harder to see a difference physically since we see ourselves 24/7. So instead of focusing on that aspect of it, having a scale will display the difference that might not be as visible. For instance, when I excluded rice from my diet, I dropped 10 pounds. However I didn’t even see this difference at all. So it’s very helpful to have something like a scale in your home so that it can keep you motivated and let you know that all your efforts are not going to waste.
Although many people find that this might not be as significant as other tips, I find that it is just as important as any other. For someone who has struggled with weight for her whole life, I easily gave up when I started dieting because I never saw a difference within myself. First of all, it is harder to see a difference physically since we see ourselves 24/7. So instead of focusing on that aspect of it, having a scale will display the difference that might not be as visible. For instance, when I excluded rice from my diet, I dropped 10 pounds. However I didn’t even see this difference at all. So it’s very helpful to have something like a scale in your home so that it can keep you motivated and let you know that all your efforts are not going to waste.
3. Eat your “bigger” meals for breakfast or lunch, instead of dinner
This is also one tip that is seen online often. As you know, unless you are a nocturnal, you don’t burn as much calories in the night than day. Although you do burn calories when you sleep, the ratio of calories to calories burn is not ideal. So I prefer having a good lunch that won’t make me super duper hungry. On many occasions, I do get hungry around dinner/midnight. I usually have a boiled egg and some fruit. This way, you’re getting protein and you’re not going over your calorie count. :) |
4. DON’T dive into just vegetables right away.
A mistake I made in the past is eating just vegetables when starting out. This ALWAYS failed because first of all, I hate vegetables, and two--I miss meat. The reason why I am able to eat vegetable dishes now, is because I slowly eased into it. In the beginning of my diet, I had chicken in a lettuce wrap. Then I slowly incorporate many chopped up veggies in my meat of choice. The taste of certain vegetables can be hard to get used to at first, so putting a little bit of them in your breakfast or lunch can really make a big difference. To be honest I’ve come to the point where I can literally go for days without touching meat. However I still love my meat. Dat grilled chicken doe.
A mistake I made in the past is eating just vegetables when starting out. This ALWAYS failed because first of all, I hate vegetables, and two--I miss meat. The reason why I am able to eat vegetable dishes now, is because I slowly eased into it. In the beginning of my diet, I had chicken in a lettuce wrap. Then I slowly incorporate many chopped up veggies in my meat of choice. The taste of certain vegetables can be hard to get used to at first, so putting a little bit of them in your breakfast or lunch can really make a big difference. To be honest I’ve come to the point where I can literally go for days without touching meat. However I still love my meat. Dat grilled chicken doe.
5. Try healthier alternatives when eating out
This is probably the hardest thing to do—especially when you’re living in college town like me. EVERYWHERE YOU GO, THERE IS SOME PLACE TO EAT OUT. Not only that, but they’re all exotic and whatnot. So that makes me want to go out and eat more! I’m not going to lie, there are going to be some places where you can’t even find anything close to healthy. The big thing here is that everything should be eaten in moderation. Something that I had to wrap my head around was that you’re not going to gain all your weight back in one entrée. If you make it into a routine, then of course you’ll see that you have returned to your original self. However if you make it a one-time thing (like how people have their ‘cheat day’) then you have to make sure that you go back to your healthy grind by working out and eating healthy afterwards. I know that this is easier said than done, since eating junk food and stuff is much more convenient. Also, ORDER WATER FOR YOUR DRINK. Avoid soft drinks and other sweet beverages. It will make a difference—I promise. It makes your food tastes better in my opinion. |
6. Visit the farmer’s market!
VISIT. THE. FARMERS. MARKET. I love going to the one here in Gainesville because I get so many fresh fruits and veggies. There are also other things like organic soaps depending on which one you go to. When you go to an ordinary
market like Wal-Mart or Publix, you’re more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks and foods. Like, why is the fried chicken area so close to the fruits and veggies. I get into an internal conflict with myself all the time.
VISIT. THE. FARMERS. MARKET. I love going to the one here in Gainesville because I get so many fresh fruits and veggies. There are also other things like organic soaps depending on which one you go to. When you go to an ordinary
market like Wal-Mart or Publix, you’re more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks and foods. Like, why is the fried chicken area so close to the fruits and veggies. I get into an internal conflict with myself all the time.
7. Get a group together for fun activities
On a college campus, there is bound to be areas for group activity, such as kayaking, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and so much more. It’s very easy to borrow equipment from the university gym and just play with your friends. Not only are you getting a workout into your day, but you’re also socializing with people—which boosts your mood and confidence.
On a college campus, there is bound to be areas for group activity, such as kayaking, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and so much more. It’s very easy to borrow equipment from the university gym and just play with your friends. Not only are you getting a workout into your day, but you’re also socializing with people—which boosts your mood and confidence.
8. Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people
Make sure you have friends that support your journey to a healthier lifestyle. If you find yourself sitting at a lunch table and your friends are telling you that you can’t sit there because you’re wearing sweatpants, they’re too mean for you, bro. Let them go. Fortunately I have a family and friends that support my weight loss journey. They encourage me when times get rough.
Make sure you have friends that support your journey to a healthier lifestyle. If you find yourself sitting at a lunch table and your friends are telling you that you can’t sit there because you’re wearing sweatpants, they’re too mean for you, bro. Let them go. Fortunately I have a family and friends that support my weight loss journey. They encourage me when times get rough.
9. Pack your snacks for any trip
A lot of people don’t think about this, but this tip could really help. I usually go to Tampa from Gainesville every two months or so, and when I’m in a car for more than an hour, I like to munch on snacks. When I don’t have snacks on me, I usually head to the gas station to get chips and stuff. Don’t do that! Instead, pack a bunch of fruits and nuts. My favorites are blueberries and wasabi roasted edamame. The edamame gives me the kick I need, while the blueberries have just the right amount of sweetness.
A lot of people don’t think about this, but this tip could really help. I usually go to Tampa from Gainesville every two months or so, and when I’m in a car for more than an hour, I like to munch on snacks. When I don’t have snacks on me, I usually head to the gas station to get chips and stuff. Don’t do that! Instead, pack a bunch of fruits and nuts. My favorites are blueberries and wasabi roasted edamame. The edamame gives me the kick I need, while the blueberries have just the right amount of sweetness.
10. Grill it! Don’t fry it!
So ever since I had my first veggie patty, I’ve bought boxes and boxes. On the instructions, it says to fry it for that crispy feel. However, I get that same crispiness with my George Foreman griller (in which I love with all my heart. I put everything in there). Not only do you cut down on fat, but also it’s pretty nice cause there’s not a lot of cleaning involved. I hate cleaning pots and pans that have a bunch of gunk and grease on them.
So ever since I had my first veggie patty, I’ve bought boxes and boxes. On the instructions, it says to fry it for that crispy feel. However, I get that same crispiness with my George Foreman griller (in which I love with all my heart. I put everything in there). Not only do you cut down on fat, but also it’s pretty nice cause there’s not a lot of cleaning involved. I hate cleaning pots and pans that have a bunch of gunk and grease on them.
11. Speaking of veggie patties, try vegetarian versions of things
I’m not going to guarantee that you will love them, since everyone is different, but I’m the type that likes well-seasoned food. The veggie burgers and grillers always had awesome seasoning with it so I enjoyed it very much. Plus, it doesn’t leave that heavy feeling you get when you eat a huge beef burger. Spinach nuggets are pimpin' by the way.
I’m not going to guarantee that you will love them, since everyone is different, but I’m the type that likes well-seasoned food. The veggie burgers and grillers always had awesome seasoning with it so I enjoyed it very much. Plus, it doesn’t leave that heavy feeling you get when you eat a huge beef burger. Spinach nuggets are pimpin' by the way.
12. Take the longer way when going to your destination
This does not mean go the longest way when you have only 5 minutes to get to class. If you’re in no rush to get to wherever you’re going (like to lunch or dinner) take a nice walk. Maybe incorporate some stairs and hills? Hills really kill me omfg. One thing that gets me all the time is how hard people fight for a parking spot at a store or restaurant, WHEN THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A BUNCH A COUPLE FEET OUT. A little walk won’t destroy you~
This does not mean go the longest way when you have only 5 minutes to get to class. If you’re in no rush to get to wherever you’re going (like to lunch or dinner) take a nice walk. Maybe incorporate some stairs and hills? Hills really kill me omfg. One thing that gets me all the time is how hard people fight for a parking spot at a store or restaurant, WHEN THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A BUNCH A COUPLE FEET OUT. A little walk won’t destroy you~