Wondering how to lose weight? Eat regularly and stay fit.

Losing weight is like a battle we fight with ourselves; not to win but in order to lose. In order to reach our goal we pursue different paths, some lead us to our destination while others simply mislead us.

Skipping meals to lose weight sounds reasonable to some. ‘We gain weight eating, so starving is a way to lose it’, is a general approach. But does it really work? I dare say no! However, skipping meals or starving yourself will only invite trouble more than mere weight loss.

Firstly, it compromises with your nutritional status and drops your sugar levels affecting the overall functioning of the body, making you tired and lethargic. Sugar (glucose) is a source of energy recognized and utilized by each and every cell of our body and one that is needed for optimal functioning.

Secondly, prolonged starvation and increased duration between meals sends the body’s metabolism into ‘sleep mode’ which actually results in fewer calories being burned. If you are chronically skipping meals your body’s metabolism becomes sluggish and it gets used to being inactive which in turn piles on the pounds.

Furthermore, the long hours of starvation triggers craving for high fat and high sugar foods and makes you binge during your next meal. In turn you end up consuming more calories than you burn. Prolonged hunger affects also your mental and emotional wellbeing, thus making you irritable and moody. The deficit of energy makes you compromise on your exercise regime, thus making you fizzle out halfway through your workout many a times.

Worried about how to lose weight? There is definitely a solution to this. Surely, there is! Check out these ‘easy to follow’ tips that will help you achieve your goal:

• Go small on meals – Small and well-spaced meals throughout the day instead of large, heavy meals helps you lose weight much easier. Put in that extra effort to have a proper, nourishing breakfast in order to release the strain on your body after a night long fast.
• Balance is the key – Remember to have a well-balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Your diet should ideally contain whole grain cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and healthy oils
• Fit in the Fiber– Consuming fibrous foods, assists tremendously in weight loss. Fiber is a substance that is not digested or utilized by the body but excreted instead. Its main role is to add bulk to the diet which promotes a feeling of satiety. Foods like banana and dalia are a great and pocket friendly source of fiber.
• Snack Smart – Contrary to what we’ve heard, snacking in between meals should not be a problem if the snack is healthy. Fruits, veggies, salads and nuts instead of fries, sweets, chocolates and crisps, fit the bill here.
• Drink enough water – Most of the time we confuse our thirst signals with hunger and end up eating, while what our body really needs is liquids. Therefore drinking a minimum of 1-1.5 liters (or more) of water is recommended.
• Work it out- Exercise is an equally important part of the weight loss challenge. Fit in small bouts of exercise into your daily schedule. Park your car in a far off corner and walk it up to your destination, take the stairs instead of the lift, do push -ups or crunches during TV commercials, dance a little while doing household chores. There are so many ways in which we can move our body, if only we’re ready to take that extra effort.

Do not go to extreme to find an answer on how to lose weight, rather, make small and gradual changes. Losing weight is long term process and requires immense will power. Skipping meals and other such erratic efforts are daunting. Remember the old wise saying, ‘slow and steady wins the race’, except here it’s about losing.
Download the App: