Being overweight and out of shape while feeling the heat of summer is not a comfortable combination, and despite the best intentions that is exactly what millions of people suffer every year. According to a recent report in The Telegraph the World Health Organisation believes every person in Britain has access to 50% more calories than they need daily, no doubt contributing to the 25% obesity rate.
Shedding weight is difficult, and changing a lifestyle to accommodate these difficulties might be awkward. However, sometimes it only takes a few subtle changes to have big results. Here are five of the best this summer:
1) Replace one meal
Bad breakfasts and unhealthy dinners are a sure-fire way to clock up the pounds – so why not do something different and replace a plate of junk with a guilt-free alternative? The options are numerous but could include a smaller meal plus protein shake, a protein bar, a salad, or even just nothing.
Don’t do it on the hoof, plan ahead and perhaps even schedule the exact time that you have the meals. Chicken breasts, lean steak, salads, nuts, and fruit should all be on the menu.
2) Water water everywhere…
… but not enough drops to drink. Point two mentions replacing meals, but snacks can be just as hazardous to the healthy diet. Replacing them with a glass of water will slice the calories but also flush toxins from the organs, and carry nutrients to the cells.
Aim to drink eight cups of fluid a day, and make sure some of that is good old h2o.
A lack of water and subsequent dehydration can lead to headaches, tiredness and even kidney stones, all relieved by what’s at the end of a tap.
3) Escape and vape
Think of all the ways of giving up smoking that you can generate. Now that’s done, how many have you tried? If there are several options you’ve not attempted, now is the time. If you’ve done them all, then do them again, starting with vaping.
We’re willing to bet you didn’t try every flavour possible and didn’t tick off every nicotine strength. The groundswell of support for Phoenix ecig batteries, starter kits, and mods, as well products of other vaping companies, is growing. To help you out, some of the best vaping devices in the UK can be found right here.
4) More sleep, less gadgetry
A message for millennials in particular; there is no known law in any country that demands that you have to take several screens to bed, much fewer ones that are likely to stop you sleeping. There is a wealth of evidence to suggest phones and tablets suppress sleep chemicals in the brain, reducing the likelihood of getting to sleep quickly.
There are several changes you could make. You could leave the gadgets in the kitchen to charge or use them less. If they’re not a problem, still consider going to bed an hour earlier and start the war on tiredness and lethargy the next day.
5) Don’t get bored
Changing a lifestyle and sticking to the new regime can get boring. There’s only so much kale, lean meat and fruit juice that you can tolerate, only so many minutes of plank positions one can enjoy.
So here’s the deal; every couple of weeks, freshen things up. Do something new. Take a different walk to work. Investigate new sports. If you’re struggling for inspiration, take note of these suggestions from eminent coaches and nutritionists writing in the Daily Mail. None of these ideas are particularly taxing or difficult, but each has their own merits. Try them out.
Leave a Reply