7 Daily tips to realistically lose weight every week

Drop half a kilo a week

The best way to lose weight – and to keep it off, is to do it slowly and steadily. There are no shortcuts to losing a kilo here, or 10 kilos there.

Shaving off half a kilogram a week is realistic. And it's safe.

When you start losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time, it has the habit of piling back on - and then some - sooner than you realise.

Tips for losing that extra weight – for good

The best way to do this, is to get into healthy, everyday habits that you can slot into your lifestyle. This will make things a whole lot easier from the get go.

Here are seven tips you can incorporate into your day to slim down safely every week:

1. Replace sugar-laden teas and coffees with plain water or unsweetened herbal teas.
2. Start your day with a substantial healthy breakfast, such as plain fruit, a fruit-filled pancake, or a bowl of overnight oats.
3. Make supper the smallest main meal of your day.
4. Enjoy a tasty protein salad for lunch with lots of greens and some beansprouts, chickpeas, other legumes, fish or chicken. (This will also give you a boost of energy for the rest of the day.)
5. Have a small, nutritious snack between main meals.
6. Squeeze movement into every day. Go for a brisk walk over lunch, get up a little earlier for a 20-minute workout, or go for a short jog or power walk when you get home. Get up from your desk regularly to do a few squats, lunges or desk push-ups. Take the stairs!
7. Pay attention to your stress levels throughout the day. Daily meditation – even if it's for only five minutes – is a proven way to relax your body and to calm your mind.

Recommended reading: Eight easy ways to cut 500 calories a day

1. Prev:Weight loss: Why the scale can be your worst enemy
2. Next:Why eating late and sleeping in leads to weight gain