Most people know the best way to lose weight is a calorie deficit. This means burning off more calories than you consume each day. The result? Weight loss!

Here is a list of Seven Simple Strategies You Can Build Into Your Day to Ensure your Best Health and Weight Loss!

Stop Drinking Your Calories

This is a simple way to lower your daily calorie intake because most beverages are high in calories.

If you have a glass of juice at breakfast, a can of Coke with lunch, and a latte as an afternoon pick-me-up, these three drinks can add up to 420 extra calories to your daily total!

This is 1/4 of the total daily calorie allowance for an average adult!

Switching over to drinking water and unsweetened beverages, like green tea, will leave more room for real food that will keep you going throughout the day.

Action step – Make a list of beverages you drink most days that contain calories to see where you can lower your numbers.

Increase Your Daily Fluids

You may have heard in the past that you should drink 8 cups of water every day. We are not all the same size, and the human body consists of 50-70% fluids. It would help if you had enough fluids to function in the best way possible.

Here’s a great article that explains a better way to calculate your daily water needs. The premise of this guide is to drink half your weight in ounces. So, a 160 lb person would drink 80 ounces each day.

This method is as simple as finding out your weight in pounds and then dividing it in half. Your result will be the number of ounces of fluids that you should drink each day.

Action Step - Carry a refillable water bottle to track how much fluid you drink.

Processed Foods Are Only For Treats

Factory-processed food and snacks can be satisfying but are high in calories.

You can cut back on processed foods by using the 80/20 rule. Try to eat healthy, well-thought-out meals 80% of the time and then splurge 20% of the time.

Increase your lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as often as possible. This will keep you full and decrease the desire for fast food and unhealthy snacks!

Check these sites for their meal recommendations Canada’s Food Guide and USA’s My Plate. Both sites have fantastic and comparable food requirements.

Action step – Check the links above and try to start meal planning at least a few days each week.

Increased Activity Burns Calories

Setting goals will help you stay on track when starting a new exercise plan.

Choose an activity you enjoy and increase your daily goal as you become stronger. Increase your daily or weekly goals once you are able to check off each milestone.

The challenge is to get moving! When you start building muscle, you will burn more calories with less effort. You will notice your clothes will fit better.

You can increase your daily steps by parking further away, taking more steps in the grocery store, and taking the stairs.

Try exercising in front of the TV if you need a distraction.

The USA’s My Plate recommendation is 150 minutes per week for adults. Try to exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week. The good thing is you can add up different activities throughout the day to total your 30 minutes.

Action step – Begin by setting small achievable goals and start moving.

Get Enough Sleep to Feel Well Rested

The best plan is to prepare in the evening for the following day. Preplan your meals and pick out what you will wear. This will start your day smoothly and help your mind relax at bedtime.

Have a bedtime routine and stick with it. Set your alarm. Unplug from electronics. Plan to sleep at least seven hours, or long enough to feel well rested.

Action step - Make a list of things you can do at night instead of in the morning to set your mind at ease and get more organized.

Calm Your Mind

There are many ways to bring peace to your life.

Light a candle or use an essential oil diffuser to fill the air with a calming scent. Sit in front of a fireplace and read a good book, do yoga, or take a bubble bath while listening to soothing music.

White noise can provide a distraction to send you off to sleep.

An increase in the stress hormone cortisol will prevent weight loss, so by reducing it, the number on the scale goes down.

There are so many peaceful ways to pamper yourself. Make it a daily plan to do something for at least fifteen minutes to soothe your soul!

Action step - Purposefully plan self-care actions to bring peace to your life.

Learn How to Measure Food Portions and Calories

There are many apps to choose from to track your daily calories. Learning the number of calories you consume and staying within your daily requirements will help you start losing weight.

Action Step - Check your app store for a tracker to learn which foods are the best options for weight loss.

Every Small Action Can Turn Into A Life Long Habit

Developing a healthy attitude and taking small actions will turn into habits. You will start to feel stronger, lose weight and get fit.

Once you put these steps into action, you will soon notice a fitter you!