Top 10 Weight Loss Tips

So you've perhaps slightly over-indulged over the Christmas period and now you're looking to lose weight. Well, you're in the right place as our fitness experts at Total Cardiff have put together their Top 10 weight loss tips! Full of weight-shredding information on the best gyms in Cardiff, personal trainers in Cardiff, diet-plans and much more, you're in good hands as you start your 2021 fitness journey.

1. Don’t skip meals

If you want to lose weight then you will probably immediately think that you need to stop eating less to do so. But this isn’t always true. In fact, skipping meals throughout your day is more likely to lead to you putting weight on as your body stores more of the food you consume in your energy reserves as fat due to it not knowing when its next meal is coming. Instead, eating more frequent smaller meals may be the key to your weight loss success. 

2. Go on a Low-Carb diet

Carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, and potatoes provide long-lasting energy. But these refined carbs can lead to an increase in your blood sugar levels which leads to hunger and are often linked with obesity. 

If you, therefore, lower your carbohydrate intake then you will notice a big change in your weight loss campaign. Studies have shown that a low-carb diet can help you lose 2-3 times as much so it’s definitely a great move to make if you’re serious about shifting some pounds this winter. 

3. Drink enough water

Not drinking enough water is something we are all probably guilty of doing, with health professionals recommending that we drink 6-8 glasses a day. But by simply increasing your water intake throughout the day, you will feel healthier, have more energy and find losing weight is easier than before. 

When exercising you often lose a significant amount of your body’s water so it’s important to restore this to keep your body operating at peak performance. 

4. Exercise portion control

Portion control and limiting how much you are eating is an effective tool in losing weight! It can be very hard to limit how much you eat and drink especially when your tucking into a delicious meal over the Christmas period. But by limiting your portion sizes you will be able to reduce your calorie consumption and lose weight without having to make drastic changes to your lifestyle. 

5. Join a gym

Joining the gym is an essential part of your weight loss journey. And thankfully there are loads of great gyms in Cardiff that you can join with numerous different leisure and exercise facilities spread out throughout the city. Joining a gym will allow you to take your workouts to new heights with a host of different high-quality equipment and facilities at your disposal. 

Depending on your budget, you can join centres that boast features such as a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts and more, or if you’re simply looking to workout and then leave then there are plenty of respectable gyms in Cardiff for you to choose from. 

Find out more about gyms in Cardiff here.

6. Try intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is where people cycle their eating pattern between periods of fasting and eating over a set period of time. It works as an effective tool for weight loss due to continuous calorie restriction. 

Intermittent fasting doesn’t require you to change what you’re eating, it’s more about the different times that you are consuming food. There are a whole host of different methods you can try this form of weight loss with so make sure to research before doing so. 

Kick-start your January into life by exploring our Cardiff New Year New You guide here. 

7. Increase your protein intake

Protein is the most important nutrient that you need to be consuming frequently if you’re looking to lose weight. A diet that is high in protein boosts metabolism, reduces appetite, and even changes some of your weight-regulating hormones. 

By replacing carbs and fats with protein, you will notice a reduction in your hunger levels meaning you’ll end up eating fewer calories and losing weight quicker. Protein supplements are a great way to get some much-needed protein into your diet and are the ideal post-workout drink that will help aid your muscle recovery. 

8. Mix up your workouts

If you’re a frequent gym-goer then the likelihood is that you have your workout regime played out to perfection. But what happens when you notice that the same workouts you started with aren’t producing the effective results that they once did? 

Well, this is because your body can become too used to doing the same exercises, which is why we recommend changing up your workouts from time to time as you attempt to shock your system. 

Switching between cardio and weight training is a great way to cut fat whilst also increasing your muscle mass at the same time. 

Find out about personal trainers in Cardiff here. 

9. Get good quality sleep

A report published by the NHS in 2011 focused on how good sleep can be a key factor to help weight loss revealed that those who get 8 hours of sleep a night and reduce their stress levels have double the chance of slimming down. 

The main reason for this is because if you’re feeling energised from a great night’s sleep then you are more likely to stick to your diet and workout plans, compared to if you were tired and stressed which would make things harder. So next time your planning on staying up late just remember that sleeping more is one great way of losing weight quicker. 

10. Cut out snacks

We’re all guilty of snacking from time to time. Whether it’s indulging in a sneaky bag of crisps or tucking into some of the offices chocolate biscuits with your cup of tea, snacking is something that happens to all of us. But after spending your time working out in the gym and sticking to a strict diet, one of the worst things you can do is consume sugary and fattening snacks. So cut out all snacking and you will start to see results. 

You can find out more about gyms in Cardiff, dieticians, fitness instructors and more in our Total Guide to Cardiff Health & Fitness Guide. Click here to take a look.