What works best for weight loss?

Are you tired of carrying around extra weight and feeling like a beached whale every time you step on the scale? We feel ya, buddy. But have no fear, because we’re here to spill the beans (or should we say kale smoothies?) on what works best for weight loss.

Set Realistic Goals

First things first – set some realistic goals for yourself. Instead of aiming to lose 50 pounds in one month (spoiler alert: it’s not happening), try setting smaller goals such as losing 2-3 pounds per week. This will make your progress more tangible and achievable.

Keep Track of Your Food Intake

Food diary, meet pen and paper (or app). Keeping track of what you’re eating can help you identify patterns in your diet and hold yourself accountable when those midnight snack cravings hit.

Count Those Calories

We know, counting calories can be a pain in the butt. But truth is, if you want to see results when it comes to shedding pounds, keeping track of what goes into your pie hole is key. Pro tip: invest in a food scale so you know exactly how much cheese that pizza slice really contains (hint: probably too much).

Exercise Regularly

You don’t need to run marathons or lift weights like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (although he does look pretty good), but adding regular exercise into your routine can give your metabolism a boost and help burn off those pesky love handles. Try starting out with just 30 minutes of walking or light jogging each day, then gradually increasing intensity as fitness improves.

Stay Hydrated

Water isn’t just for fish; staying properly hydrated helps keep hunger at bay throughout the day and encourages optimal performance during physical activity (and did we mention it’s calorie-free? Score!) Aim for eight glasses per day minimum.

Don’t Neglect Strength Training

Cardio may be king when it comes to burning calories, but don’t forget about strength training. Building muscle helps increase metabolism and can give the appearance of a leaner physique (ahem… all those gains, bro). Aim for at least two days per week of resistance exercises such as weightlifting or bodyweight workouts.

Be Mindful of Portion Sizes

We know – no one wants to hear the phrase “portion control.” But being mindful of how much we’re eating can make a huge difference when it comes to shedding pounds. Try using smaller plates, ordering appetizers instead of entrees when dining out, and keeping in mind that there’s always the option to save some leftovers for later (more food tomorrow? Yes please!)

Get Enough Sleep

If you’re not catching enough Zs each night (and let’s face it – who isn’t guilty from time to time?), your hormones responsible for appetite regulation get thrown off-kilter. This means cravings will sky-rocket and our decision making regarding food intake goes … ummm… nuts (chocolate cake at 2am anyone?). So aim for seven-eight hours per night with a consistent sleep schedule each day.

Snack Smartly

Snacking often gets a bad rap in the world of dieting but choosing healthy options throughout the day (low-fat yogurt, veggies with hummus dip) actually keeps hunger at bay while maintaining stable blood sugar levels (which is essential if you don’t want people seeing “hangry” versions of yourself popping up).

Ditch Fad Diets

Sure fad diets might help us drop pounds within short periods – but they are usually unsustainable long-term solutions that deprive our bodies adequate nutrients (cough cough keto). Instead opt-in for lifestyle-based changes that include whole-foods rich diets as well as physical activity.

Find a Support System

Let’s face it; the journey of weight loss can be rough, so why not have a #squad to push through it with? Try seeking accountability from close friends or family members who share similar goals – having someone you can lean on and share progress-regress helps stay motivated long term.

Food	Serving Size	Calories
Apple	1 medium	95
Banana	1 medium	105
Muffin	1 large	500+

Table: Some common foods and their caloric content.

So there you have it folks – while there’s no magic formula to get rid of unwanted pounds overnight (we wish) by implementing relevant lifestyle based modifications such as diet (portion control, healthy snacking), exercise (both cardio- strength training) coupled with living your best sleep life; we too can reach our “I’m ready for my beachside Insta pic” physique.

Stay Wildly Entertained & Consult Your Doc

Before jumping into exorbitant changes (that booty is just fine!) consult your doctor if you’re considering changes in lifestyle/diet that might conflict with pre-existing medical conditions. For humor relief purposes see Friends reruns regularly.

Stay awesome (:-) !