Crash dieting is widely considered to be unhealthy and ineffective, but there are still many who wish to see rapid weight loss results and ultimately starve the body of essential nutrients and vitamins. This form of weight loss may show instant weight loss results but it is not sustainable and can only often deliver short term results.
The expert has shared her top tips on how to lose weight healthily and safely without crash dieting.
Stop counting calories
Instead of counting calories, you should pay attention to the quality of the food you are eating. Eating healthier nutrient dense foods will automatically make you eat less foods and therefore counting the calories is irrelevant.
Also counting every calorie you consume can be unhealthy for your mindset and make you obsessive about what you are putting into your body and you may miss some nutrients that the body needs.
Eat organically, locally and seasonally
Consuming more fresh produce like organic fruits and vegetables has been a consistent link to weight loss because they are high in fibre and nutrients.
This can help control appetite but also eating preservative and pesticide free foods can help nurture the body and provide it with more energy.
Stick to a routine
Sticking to the same bed time every evening and waking up every morning at the same time can help ensure that your body is getting enough sleep but not too much and can help provide your body with energy for the rest of the day.
Hannah recommends going to sleep at around 10:30pm every night and waking up at around 7 every day to get your body into a routine.
Drink water
Hannah says: “Drink water on waking before meals and after every bowel movement.”
While drinking water may be an obvious one and you should consume lots of water each day, consuming water before meals may help to make you feel fuller, making you eat less food overall.
This can help keep your diet in a calorie deficit and ultimately help you shed the extra pounds.
Alcohol free days
Having alcohol free days each week can help improve sleep and reduces the risk of heart disease and cancers.
It is advised that in order to improve overall health and to lose the weight, alcohol consumption must be reduced as it contains a lot of calories and sugar.
Hannah recommends having around five days alcohol free each week to see the results.
Eat vegetables
Eating green, starchy and fibrous vegetables each day can be one of the key points to losing weight.
These foods are both rich in nutrients and fibre which can help you keep fuller for longer and at the same time provide your body with essential nutrients and vitamins that the body needs.
Hannah says: “Don’t be worried about eating carbohydrates such as rice, lentils or grains. However, be wary of processed food, alcohol, corn sugar, additives, preservatives, trans fat, hydro go side milk, commercially farmed meat, cheese that has elastic qualities and sweets.”
Stop comparing yourself
Comparing yourself to others can ultimately result in crash dieting to help you lose weight fast. This may work initially but as Hannah explains this can cause your body to bounce back and can also result in binge eating.
Listen to your body
The nutritionist explains: “Listen to your body – instead of automatically reaching for a biscuit or glass of wine, ask yourself if you are really hungry or thirsty, or just bored. Keep yourself busy and feed your body, not your emotions. Make sure you exercise each day, ideally outdoors in the fresh air. A long, brisk walk is great for both mind and body.”
Experts recommend around an hour a day of exercise but you may want to do a little bit more to burn those extra pounds. However, excessive exercise is not sustainable and is not advised.