You’re determined to shed those extra pounds that have been weighing you down. But you don’t know where to start. You’ve heard it all when it comes to slimming and feel completely lost? Here are 10 tips to help you lose weight naturally!
Sommaire
Tip no1: Eat less, but better
To lose weight naturally, you need to create an energy deficit — meaning eating a little less and moving a little more! But a calorie deficit doesn’t mean starving yourself or putting your health at risk. It’s more about being mindful of what you eat, by rebalancing your diet:
- Choose so-called “negative-calorie” foods, such as filling, low-calorie foods. Typically fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories yet undeniably tasty and beneficial, and fibre which is highly satiating.
- Favour complex carbohydrates with a low GI. They provide the body with the energy it needs, but in a slow and steady way. And they don’t cause insulin spikes, which are responsible for fat storage. Legumes, whole grains and root vegetables are therefore the way to go.
- Eat lean proteins, which are essential to prevent muscle loss — all too common during restrictive diets. White meat, fish, egg white omelettes, but also 0% fat fromage frais and plant-based proteins such as algae, soy, chia or quinoa.
- Avoid empty calories, such as processed foods, fast sugars, saturated fats and alcohol.
Tip no2: Cut back on salt
People tend to consume too much salt: table salt, but also the hidden salt found in processed foods (ready meals, pre-made soups, industrial bread, sauces…). This excess sodium has negative effects on health, as it promotes high blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, kidney problems and water retention. And none of these conditions are at all helpful when it comes to losing weight. To lose weight naturally, it’s better to:
- Cook from scratch, so you have greater control over how much salt goes into your meals.
- Replace salt with spices. Many spices have a positive effect on weight, such as pepper and chilli (which promote thermogenesis), ginger (which boosts metabolism), cinnamon (which helps regulate blood sugar), cardamom (which helps lower lipid levels) or turmeric (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory).
- Don’t forget fresh herbs, such as anise (to aid digestion), rosemary (lipolytic), parsley (rich in vitamin C!), thyme (immune system booster)…
Tip no3: Stay well hydrated
In itself, drinking water won’t make you lose weight. But a well-hydrated body is far more likely to slim down. Staying regularly and sufficiently hydrated with water helps drain the body, stimulate the eliminatory organs, aid digestion, regulate transit and limit water retention. So:
- Don’t hesitate to invest in a water bottle, which will help you keep track of your daily water intake.
- Start each day with lemon water or Sassy water (find the recipe here!), to rehydrate and detoxify your body.
- Do a draining cure with each change of season, such as our Draineur Minceur Brûle-Graisses. Rich in caffeine (guarana, matcha, kola), it encourages the body to release stored fat more effectively.
Tip no4: Manage stress
Did you know that stress can actually prevent you from losing weight naturally? The culprit is cortisol, known as the “stress hormone”. Naturally produced by the adrenal gland, cortisol helps us respond to short-term stressful situations: waking up, emergencies, rapid memorisation… But when stress becomes chronic, the body produces cortisol continuously, with harmful consequences: dry, irritated skin, stretch marks, brittle hair, high blood pressure and disrupted carbohydrate metabolism, leading to weight gain. To lose weight naturally, it’s better to:
- Avoid anxiety-inducing situations and repeated stress.
- Carve out breathing space for yourself, every single day.
- Prioritise positive relationships over toxic ones.
- Adopt anti-stress rituals: a walk to clear your head, abdominal breathing, a relaxing bath, a body treatment…
Tip no5: Snacking VS a proper snack
As mentioned earlier, losing weight naturally means eating (a little) less, but better. Which brings us to the classic question: what do I do if I’m constantly hungry? If you’re a serial snacker, it’s worth asking yourself the real question: are my meals filling enough? Because that’s exactly what food is for — to nourish you! Rather than reaching for a biscuit here and there, it’s far better to establish a proper, genuinely healthy snack, instead of grabbing a biscuit here, a square of chocolate there. If you tend to eat a lot, build the foundations of a healthy diet: have 4 meals a day, including a proper snack. Choose filling, natural foods: hard-boiled egg, 0% fat fromage frais, banana, apple, lean ham, vegetable sticks… Remember: you gain weight by eating poorly, and you lose it by eating well!
Tip no6: Move whenever you can
It bears repeating: a sedentary lifestyle is the enemy of good health. To lose weight naturally, you need to seize every opportunity to move. So whenever you get the chance to stand up and take a few steps or do a few movements, take it! Got a phone call to make? Make it standing up, pacing around the room. Your pet wants to play? Play with them! Watching a gripping show on TV? Stand up and, leaning against the sofa, do a few squats and glute contractions. Cooking dinner? Do it to music, swaying to your favourite tracks!
Tip no7: Try the Fat-Burning Programme
No, this isn’t about cutting out all forms of fat… Because your body needs certain “good fats” (avocado, olive oil, salmon, almonds… you know the ones!). It’s more about trying a course of Slimming Tea, Detox Infusion and Appetite-Suppressant Capsules, or our Weight Loss Programme. Our tea encourages your body to release stored fat, our herbal infusion supports digestion and limits water retention, and our capsules reduce appetite and speed up the feeling of fullness. The programme is very easy to follow: a cup of tea in the morning or afternoon, 2 capsules before each main meal, a cup of herbal infusion in the evening. This course could truly be the boost you need to lose weight naturally!
Tip no8: Exercise regularly
It’s hard to lose weight naturally without physical exercise. Slimming is 70% down to diet and 30% down to exercise. To create the energy deficit needed to slim down, you’ll need to get moving. 2 to 3 weekly sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (running, elliptical trainer, swimming, aquabike, rollerblading…), lasting a good while (between 45 minutes and an hour), will genuinely kick-start weight loss. Above all, choose a sport you enjoy, so that each session feels like a pleasure rather than a chore — the joy of letting off steam, connecting with others, relieving stress, sleeping well afterwards. There are as many reasons to exercise as there are sports!
Tip no9: Explore complementary therapies
What if complementary therapies and natural treatments could help you lose weight naturally? You’re spoilt for choice, as many approaches can prove effective. You could:
- See a naturopath, who will work with you to put together a holistic programme, including advice on nutrition, herbal medicine and healthy lifestyle habits…
- Try homoeopathy, as certain homoeopathic treatments can act on the various factors behind weight gain.
- Book a few sessions of acupuncture, as Chinese medicine, while different from Western medicine, can offer a wide range of benefits.
- Rely on natural food supplements, such as our Gélules Minceur Perte de Poids and our Gélules Minceur Brûle-Graisses. Used together, they target different aspects of weight loss: the former support lipolysis (capsaicin, caffeine), while the latter act as dietary fat trappers (ascophyllum, Garcinia cambogia).
Tip no10: Give yourself time
This is more of a gentle piece of advice than a tip. Losing weight naturally means giving your body the time it needs to adapt to the new healthy habits you’ve adopted. Know that rapid weight loss is anything but good for your health, and will inevitably lead to regain. This is the well-known yo-yo effect: losing weight too quickly weakens your body by slowing down your metabolism. But the human body has a memory — and yours is no exception! An effective and lasting weight loss is a long-term journey — losing 1 kg per month is a great result! If the weight loss process feels difficult, don’t hesitate to reach out: your family, friends and doctor are all allies on your side!