NEW YORK—Have you made another New Year’s resolution to get healthier and lose weight?
In previous years, have you tried fad diets or made drastic life changes such as cutting out six cups of coffee per day? If so, you probably realized that these methods don’t work for very long.
The key for you might be to make small, healthy changes that will gradually become a natural part of your life.
Dr. Peter Bongiorno, a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist, says there isn’t a one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan. Bongiorno and his colleagues Robert Kachko, a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, and Cynthia Hewitt, an acupuncturist, focus a part of their practice on helping weight-loss seekers take off those extra pounds. They advise patients not to focus so much on the scale, but to adjust lifestyle patterns.
Holistic beauty and health coach Claudia Colombo, owner of Fábula Skincare and Wellness NYC, agrees that making small changes are important. She says you need to find ways to keep the initial excitement about changing your life and losing weight long-term. So you may need to adjust your attitude along the way in order to make a serious commitment to losing weight. The ultimate outcome is up to you.
All of these experts believe that strategizing and planning are important components for transitioning to a permanent, healthy new you. They shared the following healthy weight loss-tips.
Get Enough Sleep
“I don’t even recommend that people exercise if they are not sleeping enough,” Bongiorno says.
Lack of sleep puts your body into a stressed state because it raises your stress hormones, so “you’re going to hold onto your fat, and you’re going to lower your metabolism.”
Bongiorno recommends seven and a half to eight hours of sleep for most people.
Sleep is really important for your digestive tract and immune system as well. Bongiorno said it’s been shown that you can’t have good digestive function and gut flora function (microbes in the intestines that influence the function of the immune system) if you’re not getting enough sleep.
Move Your Body
You have to move your body in order to stimulate circulation, which helps to remove gases and waste products from your cells. If you’ve never exercised, a good first step is taking daily walks, preferably in the morning, Kachko said.
Starting in the morning sets your circadian rhythm (physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle), so your body can distinguish daytime from nighttime and get a better and deeper sleep.
Make Better Food Choices
