Managing your weight can sound like quite a challenge. Rather than focusing on a number on the scales, we suggest a moderate, sustainable approach: simply building a few small healthy habits into your daily routine. Here are 7 simple tips to get you started right now: unsweetened hot drinks, the stairs, cooking methods, a break from screens, snacks, vegetables and food supplements. And feel free to discover more along the way…
Sustainable habits matter more than a number
Every body is different. If you would like to lose weight, have a chat with your GP or a dietitian first. Rather than trying to speed things up with a strict diet, the idea is to go step by step, without feeling deprived or frustrated. What really counts are the small things you repeat every day: a coffee without sugar, a few flights of stairs instead of the lift, lighter cooking, a better-chosen snack.
On their own, each of these may seem trivial. Put together and kept up over time, they turn into genuine habits that become part of your everyday life. That is exactly what the tips below are about.
Tip no. 1: stop sweetening your hot drinks
What if you dropped the habit of adding sugar to your coffee or tea? It may seem like a small thing, but it adds up day after day. Cutting back on added sugar is an easy way to reduce the sweet things you consume over the course of the day. And if it’s that little belly bulge that’s on your mind, take a look at our dedicated tips too. So get into the habit of drinking your hot drinks without sugar. This small daily effort will soon become second nature (and help you rediscover the true aromas of your coffee).
Tip 2: always take the stairs
You’ve heard this one before, but it’s such a classic that we can’t help mentioning it again. When you want to adopt a more active lifestyle, small gestures make all the difference! Taking the stairs instead of the lift means more movement, extra steps, moderate (and not overly demanding) physical effort and lots of muscles put to work (glutes, calves, thigh muscles, hip extensors). So set laziness aside and climb those steps two at a time, or better yet, on tiptoe, glutes firmly squeezed.
-27%Your evening cuppa, ten dried botanicals
- Peppermint contributes to digestive function, and green anise helps support digestion
- Couch grass brings its gentle sweetness, hibiscus its tangy note and meadowsweet its floral touch
- Linden, for its part, adds a soft, floral note and aids digestion
Tip 3: choose the right cooking methods
A surprising tip, but one that makes a lot of sense. Watching what you eat is great, but what about how you cook it? The way you cook your food can make a real difference. For instance, the glycaemic index of pasta goes up when it’s cooked soft rather than al dente. Potatoes are a good example too: boiled in their skins, they make a simple, wholesome side, whereas mash can end up richer depending on what you add to it. So opt for gentle braising, steaming or cooking en papillote. And for anything sautéed, a good non-stick pan will let you cut down considerably on added fat.
Tip 4: step away from screens
A sedentary lifestyle and feeling fit don’t really go hand in hand. In a world where almost everything happens on a screen, we no longer take the time to live any other way. Yet movement is a simple way to be more active every day. Make a deal with yourself: spend part of your screen time (say, the length of one episode of a series) doing something else, ideally something active: a walk with your dog, gardening, dancing in your living room, playing with your child. Stick to this modest resolution and rediscover the joy of switching off and getting moving. It feels wonderful!
Tip 5: rethink your snacks
It all comes down to what you eat. Do you love a mid-afternoon snack but tend to grab whatever’s within reach (the kids’ biscuits, a chocolate bar from the vending machine, a pastry on the way home from work)? Those little extras soon add up over the day. If your snack is your comfort moment, that’s fine, just make it a healthier one: a whole seasonal fruit, a handful of nuts, a plain yoghurt, a few vegetable sticks…
Tip 6: load up on vegetables
Did you know that pairing vegetables with starchy foods can make your meals more balanced? When you eat pasta or rice, it’s best to serve them with plenty of vegetables, especially those rich in fibre. Why? Because your plate will be more varied and more colourful. And if you’re wondering about so-called appetite suppressants, we separate fact from fiction in a dedicated article. In short: you still get the energy from starchy foods, on a more complete plate. And let’s be honest, vegetables bring colour, flavour and a little joy to every plate!
Tip 7: Try food supplements
Food supplements can go hand in hand with a balanced diet and regular physical activity. That said, not all food supplements are created equal. Choose ones that meet high standards of naturalness. That’s why at Cellublue, our food supplements are made in France. They are vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and contain between 98% and 100% naturally derived ingredients. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or are taking any medication, ask your GP or another medical professional for advice before taking them.
Want to find out more about our food supplements? Discover our body care range, which is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
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Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.
