5 habits that foster weight loss


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If you're like many Americans, you're still carrying an extra pound or two that you gained over the holidays. Over the years, that extra weight can really add up—and that added girth is hard on your heart.

Often, the hardest part about losing weight isn't about knowing what to eat. You've heard it a thousand times: eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. The real challenge is changing your habits to make those healthy choices part of your everyday routine without feeling too deprived.

When you come home

Where to start? Try a little respect, says Dr. George L. Blackburn, professor of nutrition at Harvard Medical School. "Show respect for the food you're eating. Before you sit down to dinner, lay out your meal on a white tablecloth, which will make you more likely to eat mindfully," he says. Mindfulness—the practice of being fully aware of what's happening within and around you at the moment—seems to help people make better food choices, in terms of both what and how they eat.

It's also important to respect your hunger, which means you should eat as closely as possible to the time you feel hungry (but not starving). Finally, respect your cravings. "Select foods that taste good to you, because taste is king," says Dr. Blackburn. You need to stick within healthy parameters, of course, and choose foods that follow the recommendations laid out by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (see www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015). But if you've got a hankering for a few French fries or a small brownie once in a while, go ahead. A complete ban of your favorite treats may leave you more likely to abandon your diet altogether and overindulge.


1. Make time to prepare healthy meals



2. Eat slowly

The next time you sit down for a meal, set a timer (maybe the one on your kitchen stove or smartphone) for 20 minutes. That's about how long it takes the "I'm full" message sent by the gut hormones and stretch receptors in your stomach to reach your brain, explains Dr. Blackburn. "If you can spend a full 20 minutes between your first bite and your last, you'll feel satisfied but not stuffed." Eat too quickly and you're more likely to overeat. Tips for stretching out your mealtime include chewing each bite a little longer than usual, setting down your fork between each bite, and taking frequent sips of water during your meal.

3. Consume evenly sized meals, beginning with breakfast


4. Don't skimp on sleep



5. Weigh yourself often

