10 Easy Tips to Keep Your Weight Under Control
The right weight makes a big difference on your overall health, and to your veins. It’s all about watching what you eat and getting more exercise. Contrary to what popular diets and eating plans say, controlling your weight doesn’t have to be complicated.
And it’s definitely worth the effort. Did you know that losing weight is one of the best ways to prevent varicose veins? More pounds mean more pressure on your veins. If you already suffer from varicose veins, dropping the pounds can help reduce the chance of varicose veins becoming worse.
To get you started, here are 10 specific tips to keep your weight under control.
#1. Snack, but Keep It Healthy
Feeling deprived puts you on a fast track for over-indulging. It’s essential to eat regularly by planning healthy, tasty snacks.
Spend 30 minutes in the kitchen every few days cutting up carrots, bell pepper and celery, along with dips like hummus, salsa and black bean dip, ready to grab and go.
#2. Plan Your Food
Check out healthy eating blogs that recipes that have plenty of taste along with nutrition. You can find recipe sites that focus on healthy budget meals, and quick-to-fix foods.
Put together a meal plan for the week, buy your ingredients, and do as much preparation ahead of time as you can. By simplifying meal prep, you’ll be more consistent with healthy eating.
#3. Exercise in Spare Minutes
Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of movement every day. Don’t think you have that much time? Yes, you do! Use spare minutes to get in strength training moves and do some cardio.
Have exercise weights handy while you’re watching television. During commercial breaks, do bicep curls and overhead presses. To get your blood pumping, try a few jumping jacks, squats and yoga moves. Get up from your office chair and jog in place for 3 minutes.
#4. Drink Your Water
Soda drinks have lots of sugar. Try swapping out just one cola for a glass of water. It’s calorie-free, flushes out toxins, helps relieve fatigue, can help prevent headaches and cramps, and even help with weight loss.
Instead of a late afternoon latte, try a glass of water. You’ll save money and calories, reduce the jitters and boost your mood.
#5. Use Healthy Substitutes
Switch out high-fat and calorie-rich ingredients for tasty substitutes. Have your tried the new cauliflower or broccoli tots? They’re a great alternative to French fries. Try a vegetarian, fish or chicken burger instead of a Big Mac.
#6. Write It Down
Fitness experts say tracking progress is one of the best ways to keep yourself motivated. Write down what you eat each day. Keep of record of your fitness activities, the type and duration. Check your weight or measurements once a month.
#7. Walk Instead of Driving
It’s amazing how much exercise you can get by walking more during the day. It is one of the most reliable ways to get more exercise because it’s convenient and easy to do.
For example, park a half-block away from the bank or grocery store. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
#8. Use a Pedometer
Track your steps during the day. You can use an app for your smartphone, a smart watch or other electronic device. Or spend a few dollars on an old-fashioned pedometer.
It’s fun to see how many steps you can add each day. Slowly but surely, keep bumping up the daily or weekly number.
#9. Get Your Family Involved
Get your spouse and kids up off the couch. Walk the dog as a family. Go to the park. Train together for a 5k fun run or walk. Go swimming at the community pool. You’ll have quality time together and get fit at the same time.
#10. Swish and Brush
After dinner, swish with mouthwash or water, then brush your teeth. This sends a message to your brain that you’re finished eating for the day. It also works after breakfast and lunch. This simple action slows you down enough to give second thoughts about another piece of pie or a second helping of pasta.
Try out any or all of these 10 tips to help you lose weight. You’ll feel better and fit into your jeans more easily. You’ll also reduce pressure on your veins, an excellent way to prevent varicose veins, or stop them from getting worse.
