Staying slim sounds great. Suffering, taking drastic measures or just doing something plain weird to do it, doesn’t. Here are 8 easy tips to incorporate into your life to help you appear and actually be slimmer, without really trying.
1. Stand up Straight
Think about your body like a slinky—when you slouch, your whole body squishes together, your stomach bulges and you look much wider than you really are! Standing up straight can make you appear 5 pounds thinner.
Try pilates to really make a habit of it. One study of chronic back pain sufferers found that pilates goers saw permanent improvement in their posture after 6 months.
2. Know What to Wear, and What Not To
Opt for materials that skim the body, rather than cling to it. Wear shift dresses to show off your legs and arms, while detracting away from the stomach. Wear a bold piece of jewelry to draw the eyes up.
3. Call it an Early Night
Even if you’re eating right and exercising, it’s extra hard to do these if you’re missing out on sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, stress hormones rise as well as belly fat.
4. Skip ANY Carbonated Drink-Not Just Soda
The bubbles in carbonated drinks will make you instantly bloated. I know they’re satisfying, but not as satisfying as a skinny stomach. If you just can’t stand the taste of water, try out some of the flavored variety.
5. Add Whole Grains & Protein
Whole grains not only reduce the production of insulin AND your body’s signals to store fat, but if you’re eating them, you’re probably not eating empty white carbs. Adding protein will keep you full significantly longer between meals. How significantly? Well, one study found that those who got at least 25% of their calories from protein dropped almost double the amount of fat after 6 months as those who only incorporated a measly 12% into their diet.
6. Snack on Watermelon after a Meal
The amino acid arginine can optimize oxidation of fat and glucose and pump up some lean muscle. The water will also help you feel full, making it less likely you’ll snack.
7. Add Vinegar to Everything
Or down a couple spoonfuls of the stuff on its own if you can handle it. The acetic acid can fight fat. In one study, women who drank a beverage containing 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar every day for 12 weeks had a lower body weight, BMI and visceral fat than those who didn’t.
8. Slow Down and ENJOY Each Bite
It takes your body a while to register that you’re full. So while you may think you need to scarf down that food, you’ll probably end up feeling like you over-ate not long after. Slow down and savor every bite, really monitoring feelings of fullness.
That wasn’t so bad after all, was it?