Several health experts across the globe speak highly of the benefits of lifestyle modification for weight loss. And there’s a reason why. Modifying your lifestyle a little bit every day over a period will considerably improve your health. That is especially true when compared to guzzling down salads one day and have a “cheat meal day” the other.
Lifestyle modification is far easier to follow. Plus, you don’t even have to give up on your favorites all at once. Instead, you carefully remove certain items that are doing more harm than good. For example, if you notice that sugar makes your blood glucose level spike, carefully reduce the amount of sugar you consume over a few months. By the end of it, you won’t even feel like eating things that have a high amount of sugar.
Hence, lifestyle modification involves altering long term habits, often related to eating, physical activity, stress management, sleep patterns, etc. and doing so in a way to maintain these altered habits for a lifetime. The aim is to evoke a positive change in the general wellbeing and lifestyle of a person. In short, it involves changing your life for the better by doing things that may be as small as taking the stairs or as formidable as following a six-day workout regime. And, practicing lifestyle modification for weight loss works wonders!
There are several ways through which you can adopt lifestyle modification for weight loss.
Physical Activity
Yes, the dreaded gym routines! Physical activity need not be so dreaded. That is especially true when something as small as going for a 15-minute walk on your coffee break can increase cortisol levels, trigger dopamine release, and lower blood pressure. Imagine what following a six-day workout regime can do! The best part is it need not be just getting yourself to go to the gym every day. Physical activity can be anything you enjoy doing – running, swimming, or even something as simple as playing with your kids or with your pets. Playing with them for 25 minutes a day will not only be a ton of fun, but it’ll also deepen your bond. Win-win for everyone.
Nourishment for Body and Soul
Yes, sometimes, a slice of pizza and a bowl of fruit share the same amount of calories. But do they have the exact nutrient breakdown? Sadly, nope. Pizzas are full of fats and carbs, while fruits are rich in fibers and vitamins. That is one of the main reasons why your diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, with at least five servings every day. Yes, Moms do know the best. Having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will benefit your body and your mind, making you happier and fitter. That makes the perfect cure to the midweek blues!
Stress Management
To do well in this fast-paced world that’s always on the move, you need to ensure that you keep up with it. The best way to do that is to keep your stress under check. Easier said than done, definitely, but it need not be so hard. Something as small as removing 15 minutes to yourself every day can have an impact on the way you deal with stress. Other methods include sleeping eight hours a day (for real), staying active, and looking after your diet. You can also reach out to your loved ones for support.
Sleep Pattern – You Need Eight Hours
The truth is that most of us do not get 8 hours straight to sleep, no matter how hard we try. Sometimes, the dogs need to go out, or Mom needs help with something, or just the maid left the fan off. So, what do you do when you cannot sleep despite trying your best? To begin with, you cut off all that caffeine you keep binging on and then put aside that phone the minute you go to sleep. Then, have a warm cup of chamomile tea. We promise it is what you need on nights where you can’t help but keep tossing and turning.
So, try using lifestyle modification for weight loss. It offers several benefits.
Sometimes, when life seems drab and dull, try modifying things up a bit – maybe take up a new sport, cut down on caffeine, or follow a week-long detox. We promise that you’ll feel better just a few days into it – that’s the magic of lifestyle modification. And, using lifestyle modification for weight loss will always pay off, especially when compared to fad diets! Something that does pay off, but has an equal and opposite reaction. Sometimes, this reaction is far more threatening than beneficial.
On the other hand, using lifestyle modification for weight loss does take some time, patience, and getting used to it. But, once you’ve developed a dynamic, customized routine, it shows its effects far more quickly. And healthily! Win-win for everyone.
