During my senior year of college, I managed to lose 15 lbs. over the course of 6 weeks. I was so unbelievably committed to living this healthy lifestyle and working out for at least an hour 4-5 times a week. Come post-graduation my first job (in a desk) made me put on those 15 lbs. all over again, and then some. I was so unbelievably unsettled in this fact. I realized I didn’t have the willpower to make any huge changes in the last year, considering I wanted to continue my lifestyle of dinners and lunches and wine – lots of it.
So I found that making these small changes helped me start getting into my tighter jeans quicker, and there was no real loss of quality of social life.
1. Walk for no reason.
Sometimes I wake up and have no plans, so I just go on this wonderful two hour walks where I listen to playlists and literally do nothing but clear my head and think things about my life through. You don’t even realize how quick two hours turns into 6 or 7 miles. Workout: complete. Level of pain: none.
2. Choose cold water with lemon every chance you get.
I am a diet coke freak. To me, it is the most refreshing taste and sensation with any meal. But, I realize that it’s so unnecessary and if we’re talking about making changes, that water with lemon actually does wonders to your skin and metabolism. Diet coke and soda and all that other crap are really awful for you – as much as it is wonderful.
3. Plan your snacks.
If you know you’re going to be out all damn day, bring your own snacks with you. Plan for healthier choices like those whole nut and seed bars or fruit. It’s such a shame to spend money on something like chips for 4 dollars when you can buy a whole box of these snacks for 5 or 6. It’s also a shame to put all that shit into your body when it’s not going to do anything but bloat you.
4. Watch your salt intake.
Salt dehydrates you and makes you blow up. You’re swollen, you’re bloated, you’re sluggish. I found that I was eating this amazing salad all the time but would always feel so awful after because the dressing was literally diluted salt. I seriously didn’t realize this and after dropping the dressing for olive oil and vinegar, I noticed my jeans were fitting past 2 p.m. Salt is the enemy.
5. Substitute cranberry vodkas for vodkas with club soda and lime.
You’re gonna go out. Save yourself the hangover, save yourself the empty sugar calories that do nothing for you.