Winter is coming to an end and the goal of losing a kilo before the arrival of March is completely realistic, provided you adopt the right reflexes. Far from miracle methods, the key lies in small daily adjustments. Pauline Pied, dietician, explains to us how to restart the machine gently.
Focus on active walking rather than intensity
To burn fat, you don’t need to run a marathon. According to our expert, regularity trumps violent effort. She recommends simply adding 10 to 15 minutes of active walking to your daily schedule.
“Muscles will be more likely to use fatty acids during endurance. When we start to do a short but more intense effort, they will use carbohydrates instead.
she explains.
The idea is therefore not to stroll, but to put on your sneakers for an invigorating walk. “I already go out for 10-15 minutes, I don’t do an hour from the first day, so as not to get discouraged. But I add this brisk walk to my daily routine to get faster results“, she advises.
Add color before restricting your plate
The secret to lasting weight loss is not deprivation, but enriching the plate. Before eliminating foods, start by adding them, especially fruits and vegetables, which are often avoided at the end of winter.
By increasing the proportion of plants, you automatically reduce the caloric density of your meal. “Add vegetables on your plate helps balance the dish”confirms the dietitian.
It’s a food “crowd” strategy: the more fiber there is, the less room there is for excess, while still stocking up on vitamins.
Organization: the shield against the evening “steak and pasta”
Fatigue is often the enemy of balance. To avoid eating industrial dishes when you get home from work, anticipation is essential.
“Losing weight is more difficult when meals are not scheduled. We come home, we’re tired, we don’t want to cook for an hour and naturally, we’re going to prepare a plate of steak and pasta.”observes Pauline Pied.
The solution? Prepare your meal bases two or three days in advance. Then you just have to “assemble” it on the plate. An organization that allows you to eat a balanced diet without additional mental effort at dinner time.
Use supermarket “allies” to save time
Cooking at home is ideal, but you shouldn’t deny yourself a few help from the store to make your life easier. Pauline Pied advises using frozen vegetables or natural preserves without hesitation.
“Don’t hesitate to use frozen vegetables that are already cut and washed. They are frozen in season, so perfect in terms of vitamins and fiber. she specifies. Jars of dried vegetables or steamed green beans without added salt are also excellent convenience stores: “A little olive oil, parsley, garlic in the pan, and that’s it!”
Flee the “diet meal” punishment
Pauline Pied’s last advice is undoubtedly the most important: preserve the pleasure. Embarking on a sad, bland “diet meal” is a sure way to fail.
“After a week, we stop everything and go back into a negative cycle.”she warns. To lose that kilo before March, keep your dishes tasty and friendly. By simply incorporating more vegetables into your favorite meals, you’ll reach your goal without even feeling like you’re on a diet.