Top 5 Ways to Curb Your Appetite

By Sara, Contributing Writer

I hate diets; the idea of a diet never appealed to me.  Once you go off them your body readjusts and you’re back to where you started. Although I know how beneficial exercise is and how it makes me feel better when I do it regularly, I still hate it with a passion!

The only thing that seems logical to me is to change my habits, my way of living – permanently.  Incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into my daily routine.  So here a few of the thing I am working on that don’t make life too unbearable.

1. Drink More Water

Starting your day off with a glass of water can kick start your metabolism.  Getting adequate hydration allows your body to more efficiently filter toxins out of your body.  Drinking water instead of high calorie, sugary drinks is an easy way to cut back on what you have to work off later.

2. Eat breakfast

This gets your body going.  If you have not been eating breakfast you’ve trained your body to store energy.  Breakfast can increase your metabolism up to 10% throughout the day.

Carbs, fruit, protein and fat are what you should be eating – not a bowl of processed cereal.  Oatmeal and eggs with real butter or coconut oil and fruit is an example of a great breakfast.

3. Use a Smaller Plate.

Simple.  Start taking smaller portions.  And think twice before a second helping.  Ask yourself, are you really still hungry?

Personally my portion size went up greatly after having my first child.  I know to some degree this is a result of breastfeeding, but I also started eating much faster.  Cause sometimes it is hard to get a hot meal being a mom.

Image by escehatom

4. Keep the Junk out of the House

If it isn’t there you won’t eat it.  Don’t buy what you don’t need.  If you have those forbidden things in the house inevitably you will probably succumb to them.

My Husband is still not totally on board with the real food transitions we are making.  But we have come to an understanding and respect.  He has been gracious enough to either keep stuff at work or hidden from the kids and I.

5. Brush Your Teeth

I am sure you are saying what in the world does this have to do with my weight?  Think about what your evening will look like if you join your children when they brush their teeth soon after dinner.  (By the way I’ve heard you should wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush – eating softens the enamel on your teeth, so it is best to allow it to re-harden before attacking it with paste and a brush.)

I am sure you’ve heard it isn’t good to eat just before bed.  Not only does it not allow you to rest well, it means that potential energy doesn’t get used and turns into fat.  If I brush at 7 p.m. then it is harder to give into those evening cravings.  Instead I have a glass of water and in some cases end up going to bed earlier.

Image by kadrip55

These are just a few simple, non-active ways to change your routine.  Other than waking up a little earlier to eat, none of these should be impacting your busy day.

What are some ways you have permanently changed you lifestyle in order to change your body’s health?

Erin’s Week 6 Update:

Weight: Down 2 lbs.! (153 now)

Total Weight Loss: 4 (I am happy with this!)

Inches: 1 inch (now 32 inches)! I’ve now lost 3 inches total from my waistline! This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever measured inches. I’m happy!

Diastasis: 1.5 and almost closed!!

Biggest Challenge: Burn Bootcamp’s time remains a challenge. I didn’t go at all last week. The timing is just terrible. Plus, I’m not sure I agree with how intense their workouts are when they are geared for “moms.” I may try to go once or twice this week to just get my money’s worth. My other big challenge was the fact that I’ve been trying to finish up my cloth diaper book! I’ve been spending all my extra time on it!

I did do Fit2B at home (you can still get Fit2B for 50% off using code 3for15bucks!)

Week 6 Mini Challenge: Drink a glass of water when you wake up each morning!

LPC Survival: Drink purified water now–or in a disaster.

Plan to Eat: Meal Planning Made Simple.

Mighty Nest: Better Living Made Easy {Every product FREE of harmful chemicals!}

The Glass Baby Bottle: Eco-friendly, Toxin Free Essentials for Babies & Toddlers & Kids