You've probably seen people who devour pizza, desserts, and fast food without gaining a single gram. What's their secret? Genetics? A miracle? No. It's all about how they approach food.
Imagine your body is a car that needs fuel. But if you pour juice into a gasoline engine, it will break down. The same thing happens to your body when you eat anything.
The point is not to give up the “harmful”, but to learn to balance.
Calories are energy, and if you burn more than you take in, you'll lose weight. But not all calories are created equal.
200 calories from vegetables will fill you up more than 200 calories from candy because fiber and protein take longer to digest.
Had a burger? Add some veggies instead of fries.
Craving something sweet? Opt for fruit or dark chocolate. This will help you avoid the sudden spikes in blood sugar that will leave you hungry again an hour later.
Movement is also important. Even if you don't like sports, regular walking, cleaning or dancing will help you burn off the excess.
For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator - in a month this will burn as many calories as three workouts in the gym.
And if you add 10 minutes of stretching in the morning, you will improve your metabolism and mood.
Water is your ally. Thirst is often confused with hunger: drink a glass of water, wait 15 minutes, and the desire to snack will disappear.
Forget about strict prohibitions. Allowing yourself a piece of cake once a week won’t ruin your progress. The main thing is not to turn it into a habit.
Listen to your body: eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full. For example, if you had a big lunch and an hour later you feel hungry again, ask yourself: “Am I really hungry or just bored?” Take a break for a walk or a book – this often helps.
Another secret is planning. Prepare your meals for the day ahead so you don't grab the first thing you see when you're hungry.
Take nuts or fruit with you for a snack. And don't believe the myths. For example, "don't eat after 6 p.m." is a myth. If you go to bed late, a light dinner (vegetables with chicken or cottage cheese) 2-3 hours before bed won't hurt.
And remember: there are no “bad” foods, only wrong proportions.
For example, French fries once a month is okay, but daily is too much. Learn to enjoy food, not to eat away your emotions.
And if you overeat today, tomorrow just go back to your normal routine. The body forgives mistakes if you don't make them a system.
