Most us enjoy being in shape, but it doesn’t always come easy.
Sometimes it’s nice to find a few easy ways to help us get there. After a bit of research, I found a few that might interest you, and they are backed by scientific studies.
1. Read Food Labels
Studies show that reading food labels was more effective than exercise for weight loss success (1). Reading food labels appears to increase diet habit awareness and more mindful eating is key for weight loss.
2. Dine With Light Eaters
Research reveals that external factors influence our food intake without our awareness or acknowledgment (2). When we eat with folks who eat light, we’re more apt to do the same, and most times we don’t even realize it.
3. Focus on How Great You’ll Feel When You’re Done!
People who focus on how great they feel when after exercise increase their intention to exercise and enjoy it more than people who focus on how miserable it feels to get started (3). When we focus on the end feeling, we enhance our chances of getting that workout done!
REFERENCES:
(1) “Use of Food Labels as a Weight Loss Behavior” from Journal of Consumer Affairs, Volume 44, Issue 3, pages 516–527, Fall 2010.
(2) “Are we aware of the external factors that influence our food intake?” from Health Psychology. Vol 27(5), Sep 2008, 533-538.
(3) “The invisible benefits of exercise.” from Health Psychology, Vol 30(1), Jan 2011, 67-74
