10 Bizarre Weight Loss Tricks That Work
Updated: Aug. 06, 2019You’d never guess it, but these unusual habits may actually help you lose weight. Read on to find out how.
Sniff a Banana, Apple, or Peppermint
You might feel silly, but it works. Research discovered that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost – an average of 30 pounds each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you’re actually eating it.
Hang a Mirror Opposite Your Seat at the Table
Eating in front of mirrors decreases the amount people eat by nearly one-third, according to recent research. Seems having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.
Surround Yourself with Blue
There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: Believe it or not, the colour blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So, serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find these colours encourage overeating.
Shoot Your Food
Rather than writing down every morsel, take a picture of it, and file the photos on your phone or computer by date. A visual account of your consumption may help you curb your intake. Snapping photos can make people stop and think before indulging. It needn’t be a big production: your cell phone will do.
Tie Yourself Up
Weight-conscious French women wear a ribbon around their waist and underneath their clothes when they go out for dinner. It keeps them conscious of the tummy-particularly if the ribbon starts to feel tighter as the evening goes on.
Don’t Look at the Scale
In the first few days, if the scale doesn’t budge, try to focus on what is changing, whether that’s a slimmer face, looser fitting clothes, compliments from friends and family members, and higher energy levels. Stick with it and the weight loss will follow.
Swap for Special Needs
Vegetarian? Lactose Intolerant? Gluten allergies? Dieting can still work. Just substitute certain foods. For instance, if you’re a vegetarian, you can get protein from beans, tofu, and nuts instead of meat and fish; if you can’t drink milk you can swap in lactose-free milk.
Stay Social
You should never feel like you have to miss any sort of celebration or special outing because you’re on a diet. Follow the principles when ordering at a restaurant, or at a get-together, and you should be just fine.
