Looking for some simple, lazy weight loss hacks to keep the weight off when you live a busy life?  Looking to maintain that weight loss over a long period of time? Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for weight loss. It takes discipline, consistency and hard work.

However, incorporating small changes into your daily life can make a big difference in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Here are some simple tweaks you can make to your lifestyle to keep you on track with your weight loss goals.

1. Sit down to eat at the table, free from all other distractions

Ever find yourself relaxing on the couch munching on some potato chips while mindlessly scrolling on your phone? Chances are you’ll eat the whole bag of chips without even realizing it. Instead get into the habit of sitting down at the table to eat your food. By not using your phone or watching TV, you’ll be able to pay attention to the amount you’re consuming and practice mindful eating. Plus, the hassle of having to stop what you are doing and sit at a table will make you question whether it is worth getting up off the couch to eat.

And as an added bonus, it will also be easier to clean up the crumbs!

2. Brush your teeth and floss as soon as you finish eating

Getting into the habit of cleaning and flossing your teeth every time you eat will soon have you asking whether snacking on that bit of chocolate is worth the extra time standing in front of the bathroom mirror. And did you know the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time to get a thorough clean? That’s going to amount to a whole lot of brushing time if you are snacking constantly throughout the day.

Most people are lazy enough to not want to clean their teeth 10 times a day.  Even if you don’t mind all the extra time spent on brushing, anything you eat after cleaning your teeth is going to taste bad.

3. Get as much incidental exercise as you can

 Hate exercising? Don’t have time to exercise? You’re not alone – studies show that 25%  of Americans don’t do any exercise and 60% don’t engage in the recommended daily amount of exercise. Ditch trying to get to the gym 3 times a week and instead just focus on incorporating as much movement into your life as possible. Get into the habit of always taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Get off the bus a stop earlier. Do some star jumps while you are making toast. If you work from home, have a set of weights beside the desk and do a few reps whenever you need a break. Walk to your local shops instead of driving. There’s even workouts you can do while cleaning the house.

The point is, any additional movement you can cram into your day counts and can add up to a significant amount of exercise.

4. Win the weight loss battle at the grocery store

If you don’t buy junk food, you can’t eat it. Never buy food that you know you can’t control yourself around. It also helps to shop when you aren’t hungry or stressed. Whenever you are seriously tempted to buy junk food, keep a record of how much you would have spent. The savings can then be put towards something fun like new clothes or a night out with friends.

However, if you must buy junk food, buy it in portion control bags (such as share packets). It’s more expensive to buy it this way but you are less likely to smash the whole bag in one go if you have to open each individual packet. And most packets have a calorie count so you know exactly how many calories you’ve consumed even if you eat a few packets in one go.

5. Pay attention to what you are drinking

Most people when trying to lose weight pay attention to what they are eating rather than what they are drinking. But drinking too much of the wrong thing can really sabotage your weight loss goals. Of course, everybody knows to cut sugary drinks when trying to lose weight but even diet soda can derail your weight loss efforts. It may seem counter initiative but studies have actually shown that drinking diet soda can cause weight gain. This is because the artificial sweetener in diet soda may create a craving for sweet, high-calorie foods.

Stick to mostly drinking water. Fill a large water bottle and sip it throughout the day. If drinking water all day sounds too dull, you can also drink coffee or tea. Coffee and tea can help keep you feeling fuller between meals. There are also reports that caffeine may boost your metabolism. Just don’t load your drink up with sugar and switch to low fat milk if you can.

And here’s a few bonus tips:

• Practice mindful eating. Put your fork down in between bites and concentrate on the taste of each mouthful. You can also take bites in between each bite to help you feel full and satisfied.
• Satisfy a junk food craving with popcorn. Popcorn is cheap and pretty good for you, provided you don’t load it up with butter.
• Bank calories. If you are going to have a big night out, eat lighter meals during the day. That way you’ll be able to enjoy your night without feeling any guilt.
• Never eat junk food straight from the bag. Even though you think you’re only going to eat a few chips, it’s very easy to smash the whole bag in one go. Instead put the food into a bowl or onto a plate and put the bag away before you start eating. You might just be too lazy to get up and refill your bowl.
• Eat meals from a smaller plate. Your brain will think you are eating more than you actually are and you’ll be less likely to want seconds.

Conclusion

Many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off because it is just too much work. By adopting a healthy mindset and incorporating a few changes into your lifestyle, you will see lasting results on the scales with minimal effort.

Court Williams

Courtney has a passion for all things fitness on a budget. She loves home workouts and trying out different fitness gear.