12 Nutritionists Spill Their Top Secrets for Weight Loss

Nutritionists have a lot of advice to give, especially around weight loss. But what are the number [...]

Nutritionists have a lot of advice to give, especially around weight loss. But what are the number one tips they tell people who are trying to drop pounds? Women's Health tapped 12 nutritionists for the answer — you might be surprised by what they said.

1. Be nice to yourself. "Talk to yourself as if you were talking to a friend. All too often we revert to negative self-talk, especially when it comes to our bodies. 'You look so fat in that' might pop into your head when you talk to yourself, but you would never use such harsh words to someone dear to you. Try to be your biggest fan instead of your worst enemy. That negative talk could lead to apathy, overeating, and dietary sabotage." Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., author of Read It Before You Eat It

body positive yoga

>> Read more: 9 Ways to Cut the Negative Body Talk

2. Ask yourself if you're actually hungry. "Learn the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger. Traditional diets cut calories, which can seem like a drastic change if you are used to eating more food than your body needs. When you feel deprived, it's hard to find the motivation to continue, which is why most traditional diets fail. Instead, focus on fueling your body when you are hungry with healthy, nourishing foods. When you reach for a snack at 2 p.m. because you 'always' do, ask yourself if you're really hungry or just bored, tired, or stressed. If you're hungry, have a healthy snack. If you're not, figure out what emotion is really going on and address that. Shifting the focus to this mindset makes weight loss so much easier." —Alexandra Caspero, R.D., founder of Delicious Knowledge

woman on a diet tempted by sweets

3. Stop swelling on what you shouldn't eat. "Focus on the foods and drinks you should be saying 'yes' to, rather than focusing on ones you should cut. If your mantra is 'no junk food,' it's likely that junk food—the very thing you are trying to avoid—is top-of-mind. Focusing on eating the healthy foods you love, like roasted cauliflower, pomegranate arils, or Sriracha hummus, makes you think about how to include them in your daily or weekly meals. That will help your unhealthy choices fall to the wayside." —Tori Holthaus, R.D., founder of YES! Nutrition, LLC

fresh pomegranate seeds

4. Eat whole, not "health" foods. "Weight loss will happen as a side effect of choosing whole foods that provide the nutrients you need. New research demonstrates that foods labeled as 'healthy,' like 'healthy cookies,' may be contributing to the obesity epidemic because people are more likely to overeat them." —Brigid Titgemeier, R.D., registered dietitian nutritionist at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine

fruits and vegetables

5. Move more. "Of course we have to watch our calories consumed, but how about focusing on calories expended? According to the Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. I recommend trying a combination of things such as strength training, cardiovascular training, and core work to increase activity and lose weight. Keep a journal of your active minutes each week, or use an app, to stay accountable and hit your minute goals. —Jim White, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios in Virginia

Check out this Sweat Like A Mother HIIT Workout below:

6. Don't ditch the fat. "It's a common misconception that you need to cut fat out of the diet to lose weight; however, omega-3s in fatty fish like salmon, and monounsaturated fatty acids in foods such as avocado and olive oil have been linked to healthier waistlines. Eat these healthy fats to increase satiety and lose weight more easily." Kelly Pritchett, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor in nutrition and exercise science at Central Washington University

avocado

Want to know the other six weight loss secrets? Click here to see the original story from Women's Health.

0comments