(Welcome to my Weight Loss Tips Series! I lost 115 pounds through diet and exercise and have kept it off for seven years. Now I share my vast weight loss expertise with you! My articles are ideal for anyone with a lot of weight to lose, and can also be helpful if you're just looking to shed a few pesky pounds. Enjoy!)
There are pluses and minuses to being a young woman who is trying to lose weight. When we are younger, our bodies tend to respond more quickly to our weight loss efforts. But being in our 20s can also present us with some obstacles that older women might not be confronted with quite as often, like regular nights out with friends, lots of potential for bar time and strange sleep habits that can lead to stranger eating habits.
Here are 3 weight loss tips for women in their 20s:
Let your energy work FOR you. You might think you're tired now, but I've heard from the more mature women in my life that we should be grateful for the energy we have in our 20s. Also, if you get a healthy amount of sleep every night, and eat nutritious foods, your energy level will be even higher. So take advantage of that natural benefit. Go for a quick walk or jog on your lunch break, head to the gym before or after work, garden, play sports, take the dog to the park on the weekends. You have the energy, so burn the calories!
Portion control is more important than quality control. YES, what we eat matters. What kind of nutrients we're getting, how many fruits, veggies and whole grains. It all makes a difference. But as long as you're reaching for REAL food - not processed food - what matters more in terms of your weight loss right now is portion control. Being in your 20s means late nights out with friends, it means drinking at bars on the weekend, it means sporting events and parties and bridal showers and business meetings. (Being older can mean that too!) And in all those situations we're often confronted with food and drink that can make us gain weight. Learn to eat smaller portions - even if it's pizza - rather than trying to avoid those situations and the foods that come with them all together. Sometimes you won't have any choice but to have a bagel for breakfast because there are no other options. Eat HALF the bagel and then move on.
You don't have to avoid alcohol. The most important thing a person can believe during their weight loss journey, aside from "This is possible," is "I don't have to deny myself to lose weight." When we skip our favorite foods, never allow ourselves to have a cookie, and swear off alcohol all together, it will backfire. We need to practice being healthy in every situation, not just ones where there are no temptations, because life is not without temptation. You do NOT have to avoid alcohol to lose weight. Beer and wine have more calories than liquor does. A vodka soda with lime has only 60-80 calories and no added sugar. If you like to drink beer or wine, have a glass of water in between to help keep calories down. And eat more consciously the next day to make up for it!
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Check out some of the other articles in my Weight Loss Tips Series! And good luck!
The Number One Weight Loss Rule
College Students - 5 Tips for Losing Weight & Avoiding the Freshman 15
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