Losing weight can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. There is so much information available on the internet. However, a lot of it is contradictory. It’s difficult to determine which methods are scientifically proven versus marketing nonsense. Beyond this, due to coronavirus restrictions, many of us cannot get to the gym or maintain our pre-COVID workout regimes.
The following will explore unique ways you can lose weight in the comfort of your own home. Of course, every person is different, so be sure to listen to your body. Don’t push yourself past your limits. You can run the risk of injuring yourself and having to be sedentary for days or even weeks. Nothing will slow down your weight loss journey faster than a few weeks of not being able to move.
Eat With Your Metabolism In Mind
Our bodies are pretty impressive things. When we eat, our food is turned into energy without any conscious effort. The speed at which your body processes what we give it is called metabolism. There are things that you can do at home to help encourage your metabolism to work speedily and efficiently.
The following foods can help give your metabolism a bit of a boost.
- Unsweetened coffee and teas
- Spicy foods
- Protein-rich foods
- Foods high in zinc, selenium, & iron
Learn About Gut Bacteria
You have probably heard someone talking about the gut biome in recent years. It seems gut bacteria is responsible for everything from our mood to our skin, from chronic diseases to our mental capabilities. Did you know, our gut bacteria is linked to how our bodies regulate our weight and appetites?
Try incorporating more foods high in probiotics and prebiotics:
- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt (without added sugars)
- Kefir
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
- Pickles (lacto-fermented ones tend to be labeled kosher)
- Traditional buttermilk.
As a side note, build up to higher quantities of these foods slowly. Whenever you alter your body’s digestion system, things can get a little uncomfortable for the first few days if you do too much too quickly.
Try Professional Procedures
If dietary changes and home exercises don’t yield the desired results, or if you have particular areas of stubborn fat, professional procedures may be a viable option. There are several non-invasive procedures available today that can help target specific areas of fat and improve overall body contour. These include:
CoolSculpting
Laser Liposuction
Radiofrequency Treatments
Cryolipolysis
Remember to always do your research and consult with a professional before undergoing any medical procedures. Residents of the southeastern parts of NYC always do their homework before signing up for plastic surgery in Long Island in order to know the procedure better. This gives them peace of mind, as well as allowing them to understand the expected results and recovery process.
Get Enough Sleep
We know you’re sick of being told you need to sleep more. If you had the time, you’d use it for sleeping. The truth is, nearly all of us are not getting enough sleep for our bodies to perform optimally.
In light of recent events, nearly 2/3 of Americans experienced unwanted changes in weight during the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020-2021. Meanwhile, sleep disorders and issues obtaining healthy levels of sleep increased at an alarming rate, understandably, highlighting the adverse relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain.
Sleep deprivation can change up how our hormones work within our systems, wreaking havoc on our appetites. Study after study has shown a direct link between obesity and not getting enough sleep. As a bonus, if you can figure out how to get more rest, your waistline will not be the only one that will thank you. High quality sleep has been shown to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. In addition to an in increase creativity, boost work performance, strengthen relationships, improve sexual performance, and bolster your immune system.
Address Your Relationship To Food And Your Past
Yes, this is a tough one. Modern culture is fantastic in many respects. However, we consistently seem to fall short on encouraging children to develop a healthy relationship with food and eating. It can start out in a seemingly harmless way—giving a child a cookie because they sat still and quiet while mom talked to the bank teller. This appears innocent but is actually teaching the child to use food as an emotional reward. We give children treats when they’re sad, hurt, or had a rough day. Again, this is teaching kids to use food to soothe their wounds and negative feelings. These two examples are among hundreds of things that influence how we emotionally respond to food.
Food addiction, childhood traumas, guilt, shame, and anxiety are just a few of the things that can affect our eating habits and our weight. One shocking study found that people who experienced sexual abuse as children were far more likely to be obese than others. The study examined 57,000 women. The study concluded, those who were abused as children were twice as likely to develop an addiction to food. New research is coming out all the time that emphasizes the link between our experiences, our mental state, and our weight. Addressing and healing personal traumas (with the help of an expert if need be) can have a profound effect on our weight and the rest of our lives.
The above things are just a few of the less well-known things you can do in the comfort of your own home to help lose weight. If you suspect the cause of your weight is a medical condition, be sure to seek out the advice of a medical professional in addition to trying out the above.
