10 daily habits for healthy weight loss

Are you a healthy weight?

One way of judging whether your weight is in the healthy category is to use a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. This gives a general guideline of whether your height is proportional to your weight.

Whilst it is a useful guide, Alyssa Pacheco, a registered dietitian from Greater Boston, USA advises that having a BMI within healthy limits, doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy. Similarly, having a BMI that falls into the overweight category doesn't mean that you're unhealthy.

"If your weight is healthy, you should feel good on a routine basis. Having energy to get through your day, healthy hair and nails - and even regular menstrual cycles in women - are all good signs your weight is healthy," she says.

How to lose weight healthily

Maintaining a healthy weight could reduce your chance of developing health conditions such as:

• High blood pressure.

• Heart disease.

• Type 2 diabetes.

The average woman needs around 2,000 calories per day, while men need 2,500. However, keeping a healthy weight through diet goes beyond counting calories.

Dr Supatra Tovar, Clinical Psychologist, Registered Dietitian, and Fitness Expert, Pasadena, USA recommends approaching weight loss with a focus on long-term health, rather than quick - potentially harmful - fixes.

Pacheco adds: "When you focus on your habits, such as healthy eating and exercise, your weight tends to level out exactly where it wants to be - and that's usually your healthiest weight."

1. Eat more protein

Protein is vital for growth, recovery, and giving your body essential nutrients. It can also help with healthy weight loss.

Good sources of protein include: Mean (lean cuts), fish, dairy products, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, whole grains.

Pacheco says: "Protein keeps you feeling full for longer. It can lower ghrelin - the body's hunger hormone - and increase the hormone that reduces appetite (peptide YY). Including more protein in your diet - alongside complex carbohydrates and healthy fats - will make you feel less hungry."

2. Increase your fibre

You should eat at least five servings of different fruits and vegetables a day. They're full of vitamins and minerals, and a great source of fibre.

Pacheco explains that fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate that keeps your blood sugar levels stable, enhances your overall health and makes you feel fuller.

Good sources of fibre include: berries, pears, kiwis, apples, bananas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, avocados, carrots, whole grain breads, quinoa, oats, beans, chickpeas, lentils, potatoes.

Zenker adds that fibre has very few calories, and your body digests it slowly, which helps you feel full.

"The water content in fibre adds volume, which stretches your stomach and signals fullness," she says. "Water-rich foods like vegetables and fruit can help increase the volume of meals."

3. Cut back on processed foods

You should eat less ultra-processed and high-calorie foods.

Foods to limit your consumption of include: fast food, sugar-sweetened drinks, pastries and sweets, fried foods, and processed meat - for example, burgers, bacon and sausages.

"These foods are not only high in calories," Zenker warns. "But low in vitamins and minerals."

4. Simple swaps

Replacing high-saturated-fats, and sugary foods with options that promote healthy weight loss can have a significant effect.

According to Pacheco, some examples of this include:

• Replacing sugary cereal with wholegrain alternatives.

• Swapping sour cream for plain Greek yoghurt.

• Eating fresh fruit instead of drinking juice.

"In terms of this last example," she explains. "Juice may contain vitamins and minerals, but it's missing out on the fibre of the whole fruit."

Arabella Featherstone, Fitness Trainer and Health Coach, Feathers Food & Fit, Cádiz, Spain says: "Try switching from highly processed carbs to whole grains. Choosing whole grains over white pasta, rice and bread can be a good way to add more fibre into your diet."

Opting for healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fish instead of unhealthy fats is also a simple way to reduce saturated fat levels.

5. Drink plenty

You should drink around 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep your body functioning healthily. However - like Zenker says - drinking enough water can also help you lose weight by making your tummy feel full.

The healthiest way to enjoy flavoured water is to add slices of fruit, herbs, or vegetables for a hint of natural taste. Stay away from drinks that are high in sugar content and limit your alcohol intake.

6. Get active

Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week to help keep a healthy weight.

Tovar recommends incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine as the easiest way to do this.

"Find an exercise you enjoy - whether it's walking, swimming, dancing, or yoga," she says. "But don't over-exercise, as this can lead to injuries, long-term fatigue, and burnout."

Featherstone advises it's best to make gradual and sustainable changes to your exercise routine. She also suggests you eat enough of the right things to give your body the fuel it needs for exercising.

Exercise is much more than a tool for weight loss. Zenker says it helps improve mood, mental clarity, manages blood sugar, improves sleep, and makes you feel more energised.

7. Sleep well

Most of us need around 7-9 hours of sleep a night for the good of our wellbeing. It's just as important as eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise.

Poor sleep can make it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle for weight loss.

8. Be more mindful

Mindful eating involves eating slowly to become more in tune with your body's hunger signals. Doing so can help you stop eating when you're full.

This practice transforms mealtimes into a pleasurable and nourishing experience.

Zenker says "By engaging your senses and listening to your body’s cues, you can develop a healthier relationship with food,"

She explains that the principles of mindful eating involve tuning into your internal hunger and fullness signals to avoid overeating. It also encourages portion control, minimises distractions, and slows your eating pace.

9. Be kind to yourself

Balancing physical and mental health is important when beginning a weight loss journey. Don't be too hard on yourself if progress is slower than expected.

Zenker warns that self-loathing and negative self-talk can create a cycle of shame and guilt. This can harm rather than help your health.

"An approach rooted in self-love and compassion is better for positive and long-lasting changes," she says.

Featherstone adds: "Sticking to new eating and exercise patterns can seem a struggle at first, so don’t push yourself to the extreme. Bear in mind that there are often emotional factors associated with certain types of food, and changing things can cause stress and anxiety. If that’s the case then go slow and perhaps talk to a healthcare professional for support."

10. Be realistic

Set achievable weight loss goals. A safe and sustainable rate is around 1-2 pounds (0.5-1 kilograms) a week. Gradual weight loss allows your body to adjust and helps preserve muscle mass. Losing weight too fast can lead to health complications.

"Remember, losing weight is about being physically healthy - not being physically thinner," says Featherstone. "Your ultimate goal should be to avoid developing long-term health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, high cholesterol and blood pressure."

Unhealthy ways to lose weight

Most experts advise against fad diets that eliminate food groups or severely restrict calories. They are generally unsustainable and harmful to your health.

According to Tovar diets to avoid include:

• Juice cleanses: can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other health issues.

• Restrictive diets - such as the military diet: can lead to nutrient imbalances, muscle loss, and a slowed metabolism.

Pacheco warns: "Skipping meals to save calories is also a bad idea. When you skip meals, your blood sugar levels can become more erratic - which leads to cravings and overeating."

In short, a balanced and realistic approach is the best way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

In Tovar's words: "Sustainable weight loss involves balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mindful eating practices."