Controlling your body fat is all down to how much you eat. It sounds so simple, yet when you are weeks into a deficit your body is constantly telling you that you need to eat. That isn’t a nice feeling. You aren’t one to quit though, and you don’t want to reach for that extra bit of food that isn’t on your plan. That’s why you have found yourself here, this article, to find out the best ways to stop yourself doing so. It will all be worth it when you reach that goal weight.
Some of these tips and tricks may work for you, some of them wont. It's all about finding out what works for you and your lifestyle.
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Prep prep prep! I think this method works for most people. Prepare all your meals a week ahead on a Sunday and write down what you are having and what time on a whiteboard at home and on your phone. Knowing what you are eating ahead of schedule can keep you accountable and on track.
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If you know you are going to eat off plan, make it count. Don’t just eat bad food for the sake of it if you aren’t going to enjoy it! Food after all, should be enjoyed. I’m sure you already know what your guilty pleasure is, so why waste your time eating anything else if you won’t enjoy it as much? Don’t waste those precious calories!
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Do a short burst of exercise before you eat! It doesn’t have to be long, anything from 5-10 minutes, but make sure you work up a sweat and are breathing fairly hard. The raised heart rate can numb your hunger and rid any thoughts of an off-plan snack.
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Avoid buying rubbish from your food shop. Seems pretty obvious right? However, you are much less likely to snack on bad food if there isn't any available in your cupboards.
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Load up on the veggies at every meal! Okay, maybe not breakfast, but every other meal can accommodate veggies pretty easily. See, you can have a tonne of veggies and hardly make a difference to your daily calorie count, due to their low calorie nature. More veggies at each meal will keep you feeling fuller and they are also a great source of micronutrients.
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Drink a pint of water before each meal. Simple and effective, the water fills you up leaving you less ravenous and less likely wanting to overeat. Plus, you have more chance of being hydrated for the day.
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Eat regularly and know when you’re eating. Spreading your meals out so you are eating every 2-3 hours will leave you with a lot less time to be hungry.
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Make sure you aren’t skipping out on sleep! A good night’s sleep sets you up perfectly for the day ahead. Numerous studies have shown that a poor night’s sleep leads to poor nutritional decisions and we are much more likely to cheat on our diet. Less sleep also leads to higher cortisol levels, which makes it easier for our body to store fat.
I hope some of these tips help you on the quest to control your body fat! Remember, it's going to depend on your lifestyle as to whether you feel like they work or not. Experiment with them, some of them may change your whole approach to dieting!