It’s generally well-known that certain things done throughout the day, especially concerning diet and exercise, can help with weight loss. However, something that’s less known and just as important is what can be done at night that can aid in weight loss.
There are a few foolproof weight loss tips that can be followed before going to bed that won’t just help shed the pounds, but will also lead to a healthier lifestyle.
1. Avoid Mindless Snacking
At night, it’s very easy to sit down in front of the television with a bag of chips or packet of cookies and munch away mindlessly. This is often called emotional or comfort eating, but it’s basically mindless snacking.
This can really add pounds, especially when done right before bed. Instead of snacking on unhealthy food, avoid this pitfall by drinking more water or having a cup of tea.
[Read: 5 Foods to Avoid at Night if You Want to Lose Weight]
2. Snack Smart
While it’s definitely not recommended to snack mindlessly, for those who have evening or nighttime hunger pangs, it’s actually healthier to snack smartly than to not eat anything. Most experts recommend a low-calorie, healthy snack, such as carrots or fruit.
For something a little more filling, a slice of whole wheat bread with natural peanut butter is a good alternative. The key to snacking smart is to stay away from heavy processed foods, carbohydrates, dairy, and spicy foods.
3. Drink Water
It can be tempting to avoid water before bed so there aren’t any middle of the night bathroom visits. However, drinking several cups of water within an hour before going to sleep can actually be beneficial.
Water is great for cleaning out the body naturally. For those who want to wake up with no bloat and feeling refreshed and ready for the day, some evening water will definitely help.
[Read: Does Drinking Water for Weight Loss Really Work?]
4. Workout
There’s a myth that working out before bed will leave a person wide awake, making it hard to fall asleep.
Once widely believed, this myth has been disproved in recent years when experts found that no matter what time of day a person exercises, they’ll actually get a good nights’ sleep.
In fact, the study done by the National Sleep Foundation concluded that people who exercise will sleep better at night than those who don’t exercise at all.
So getting in a last minute workout won’t just help shed pounds, it will also lead to better rest.
5. Close the Curtains
It may be surprising, but how much light the body is exposed to can affect weight loss. The body is full of hormones that need light and darkness at certain times to get stay balanced.
If the body is exposed to too much light before bed, it can throw off the balance of those hormones, which will result in weight gain.
By closing the curtains to keep any unwanted light out of the bedroom and by keeping lights dim and electronic devices off, hormones will stay stable.
6. Cool Down the House
It can be extremely uncomfortable to sleep in a room that is too cold. However, studies have recently found that sleeping in a cooler environment can actually increase the number of calories the body burns.
By lowering the thermostat in the house a few degrees, the body will work through the night, making it a little easier to lose weight throughout the day. While this won’t make a drastic difference, it will certainly help.
7. Pre-Make Meals
While this doesn’t relate directly to nighttime weight loss, it’s something that’s best done before bed and will have a huge influence on a diet.
Pre-made meals are a great way to set aside well-thought out and properly portioned lunches that can be used the following day.
In the evening, people aren’t as hungry, so they’re more likely to prepare meals that are healthy and follow their diet plan.
Having these made ahead of time will prevent or at least minimize lunchtime binges. The best part about these pre-made meals is that they can save on money and time in the long run.
8. Head to Bed Early
Getting everything completed during the day can be hard, which is why more and more people are staying up late to finish their to-do list.
Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to weight loss. Going to bed earlier to get more hours of sleep can actually increase the hormones that control appetite, which will make people less likely to eat unhealthily during the day.
And being rested throughout the day usually results in better self-control and motivation, which is needed when a new exercise and diet routine is being adopted. While it may be a bit difficult to schedule in more sleep, getting more rest and losing more weight are well worth the effort.
[Also Read: Why Lack of Sleep can Make You Gain Weight]
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