When it comes to weight loss, I’ve come across many people having this misconception of just skipping meals and that will lead to weight loss. The reality is, skipping meals and drastically cutting calories will slow down metabolism. The body will hold on to what calories it has, for a source of energy. The focus should be on trying to gradually incorporate more whole food items to your daily meals.
Staying hydrated with water is very essential. Water also helps with metabolism, and it’s a natural appetite stimulant. There have been times where I think I’m hungry, and after drinking water that feeling of “I’m hungry” is no longer there. A good place to start with water intake, if it’s an area you are lacking is 8 cups of water daily.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep nightly, helps the body to repair cells, and sleep is necessary for mental, physical, and emotional health. If you’re getting 6 or less hours of sleep every night, it’s a big risk factor for weight gain. Research has shown that inadequate amount of sleep leads to high levels of a hormone ghrelin (it increases appetite and lowers levels of leptin). The hormone Leptin (which inhibits hunger) tends to be less when we are not getting adequate sleep.