Sorry to say, there are no easy steps to losing weight. It takes hard work and a long period of time. There are a variety of factors you can try to attribute to being overweight or obese but the most probable and most simple explanation is that you eat too much for the amount of energy you're putting out.
Now I know what you're thinking; "Chris! I don't really eat that much and I eat pretty healthy!" but unfortunately if that were the case, you would be losing weight.Portion control can carry the brunt of the blame for the extra weight added over the course of our life. As we age, our required energy intake decreases which becomes problematic when still consuming food like you were at the ripe age of 18 or 19! So what is the best way to combat this problem? Here are three simple steps to help with your portion sizes:
- Throw out your large dinner plates and bowls. They are not necessary! Instead, use a side plate or a kids bowl to dish out your food.
- Eat slowly and mindfully! Meals are not a race. Your body needs time to process and digest foods and activate hormones to help with satiety (feeling of being full).
- When making a recipe from a cook-book or magazine, stick to the recommended serves or use a few more plates/bowls than recommended. This will help you stick to the portion size or even have a little bit less.
It goes without saying that portion control works best with a healthy diet of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. If you would like some information on healthy eating, head to www.eatforhealth.gov.au for the Dietary guidelines. Trying out these three steps in conjunction with regular exercise should kickstart your weight loss goals!
