Attention, Australia: seven out of 10 women in this country have an “I hate my body” moment each week.
So, essentially, we’re all pretty much guilty of body-shaming ourselves on a seven-day rotation…
However, these self-doubt stats don’t mean any of us need to book as many PT sessions as our almost-maxed-out credit cards will allow.
What it does mean is that it’s time to shatter this body negativity with a no-self-doubt-allowed sledge-hammer, and it all starts with these five quick tips to reaching your ideal weight goal in a healthy way.
And you can do them all in less than a minute…
1. Sniff an apple – yes, really
It may sound a little (OK, a lot) ridiculous, but a study out of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago tested 3,000 people and found this to be a quirky way of cutting down over-eating.
It’s believed that smelling apples, pears and peppermint could trick your brain into thinking you’re actually eating it. This could help you cut back on bingeing on whatever sweet treat/cookie/Nutella jar is in reach.
2. Pay for snacks in cash
Sure, in a tech-governed era when easy tap-and-go payment methods like PayWave rule the way we shop, when it comes to your health, it’s better to kick it old school.
Making the conscious effort to count out the cash and coin you want to spend on that third fresh coconut for the day may actually deter you from buying it at all.
3. Turn off the lights
Apparently, consistent exposure to light during the time of night when you’re meant to be sleeping can wreak havoc on your metabolism, meaning that you can put on weight without even eating more food.
This is because researchers at Ohio State University found that those who sleep in total darkness are consequentially far less prone to putting on weight compared to those who sleep with dim illumination (tech life, inncluded).
Like we need any excuse to get a little more shut-eye…
Before making any changes to your diet and fitness routine, be sure to have a chat with your trusted GP first.
4. Drink water and chow down on watermelon
Numerous studies indicate that drinking water boosts your metabolism and gut health, but, really, it all comes down to drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated so your body and brain can function (and burn more kilojoules in the process).
Struggle chugging down more than a glass or two a day? Get your H2O intake up by eating water-loaded fruits like watermelon (it’s made up of 92 per cent water).
5. Go nuts (oh, and eat some, too)
Non-salted, raw almonds, cashews and pistachios are loaded with healthy fats, meaning that each of these nut varieties make for nutritious, high-energy snacks when hunger pangs set in.
Not only that, but nuts are satiating, meaning that they will leave you feeling fuller for longer so that you won’t feel the need to hit the office vending machine for a 3pm Twix (refined sugars can slow you down and, if over consumed, lead to a bunch of health problems).
Because, nothing tastes as good as happy feels.
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