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The weight loss process has an unfortunate way of feeling completely overwhelming and impossible, but it shouldn’t have to be that way. The truth is that there are plenty of small, simple steps you can take to reach your weight loss goal. And even though you won’t find “eat chocolate cake in bed” on that list, really are easy enough to work into your regular routine without upending your sense of balance and comfort.
Sleep
Yes, that’s right. The first step to losing weight is to get enough sleep every single night. The quality of your sleep actually has a huge impact on your overall health and even on your ability to lose weight. As you sleep, your body is busy recovering, healing, and rebuilding. Two of the hormones that gets released as you sleep are the hormone that helps burn through fat and the hormone that signals satiety after eating. If you are only sleeping three or four hours a night, your body will not be able to release those hormones efficiently, and your extra weight will continue to stick around. Try to get seven or eight hours of sleep a night for best weight loss results.
Opt For the Weights
When it’s time to workout, you may be tempted to stick solely with cardio routines since they burn calories and get your heartrate moving. While cardio, like running or spinning, is undoubtedly an important piece of any exercise routine, you can’t forget to participate in resistance training as well. Resistance training, like lifting weights, gets your metabolism elevated and allows your body to burn calories more efficiently throughout the day, not just in the gym. Better yet, muscle burns 50 calories per pound more than fat, so building strong, lean muscles will help you drop weight quicker.
Remember Lean Protein and Fiber
By far, one of the hardest parts of losing weight is knowing exactly what to eat. While there are plenty of options out there, lean protein and fiber are always good choices. Lean protein has a high thermic effect that helps boost your body’s metabolism after digestion. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer so that you are less likely to overeat. Between the two, your body will run at optimal levels and you will cut out unnecessary snacking that can compromise progress.