11 Underutilized Weight Loss Strategies That Actually Work

here's how to lose weight by eating apples, dancing in the kitchen, and getting some morning sun.

1. DON’T CLEAR THE TABLE

Don't tell your mother, but we've given you permission to create a mess. Leave the candy wrappers, fruit peels, nutshells, and other crumbs on the table as you eat. According to a 2011 research published in the journal Appetite, persons who maintained a bowl of pistachio shells on their workstations consumed much fewer calories than those who tossed out the shells on a regular basis. Seeing the shells (or other abandoned materials) might serve as a visual signal, telling you to stop eating when you're full.

2. CURTAIL YOUR COCKTAILS

The joyful hour isn't so happy when you consider the toll it takes on your waistline, says Fiola Sowemimo, MD, of Freehold, New Jersey, who practices internal and bariatric medicine. Booze is a major contributor to weight gain, especially when paired with sugary mixers, such as margaritas or rum and Coke. "One of the main advice I give to my patients who are trying to lose weight is to avoid drinking too much," she adds.

3. DITCH THE MOOD LIGHTING

According to research published in the Journal of Marketing Research in 2016, low lighting is excellent for a romantic supper, but if you're watching your waistline, you should turn up the lights. The researchers discovered that diners who ate in well-lit eating spaces were 16 to 24 percent more inclined to order healthful items. Y

4. CLEAN OUT YOUR MEDICINE CABINET

First and foremost, it will almost certainly need to be cleaned out. (Take a look at the infant ibuprofen you purchased for your kid...who is now 12 years old.) Second, several medications used to treat common disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression can induce weight gain or make it more difficult to remove extra weight, according to Dr. Sowemimo.

5. FOLLOW AN EATING SCHEDULE

What you consume is only half of the picture. "When you eat is crucial regardless of which diet you pick," Dr. Sowemimo explains. She adds that fasting all day is a recipe for bingeing later. To avoid cravings, eat modest, healthful meals and snacks at regular intervals throughout the day.

6. SNACK ON YOGURT

The bacteria in your stomach have an impact on your entire body, including your weight. Fill up on probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods to help the beneficial bacteria. Do you get sick from yogurt? Another approach, according to Chanté Wiegand, a naturopathic physician and the Synergy Company's director of science and education, is to take a probiotic capsule every day. "Some good bacteria in the gut incline you to have a quicker metabolism," she explains.

7. STOP CHARGING YOUR PHONE IN YOUR BEDROOM

Resist the impulse to unwind before night by browsing Facebook on your phone. Not only do you not want to fantasize about your ex's fabulous vacation (and why are you still following him in the first place? ), but blue light from your smartphone, tablet, or TV screen is also disrupting your circadian rhythm, according to a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. This can not only prevent you from getting a good night's sleep, but it can also interfere with the production of the hormone melatonin, which can slow down your metabolism.

8. BRING BACK AFTERNOON TEA TIME

Have you ever noticed how your willpower only cracks at very certain times? Most of us are most vulnerable to temptation in the late afternoon and before night when we are most fatigued and anxious. Avoid snack-catastrophes by having a mid-afternoon mini-meal with healthy fats and protein to fill you up, suggests Suzanne Fisher, RD, a registered dietitian and certified nutritionist in Florida. "Ghrelin (a hunger hormone) will increase during moments of hunger, so a mid-afternoon snack might avoid overeating later in the day," she says.

9. START THE DAY WITH HOT WATER AND LEMON

Many individuals like a warm beverage to start their day, but if you're aiming to lose weight, Lacey Hickox Lehman, co-founder of Sacred Paths Yoga, recommends a cup of hot water with a twist of lemon. "It increases metabolism and improves digestion," she says.

10. SET THE TABLE WITH SALAD PLATES

Using smaller dishes may be a simple solution to the portion problem. According to Cornell's Food Lab, eating from 8-inch salad plates rather than 10-inch (or bigger) dinner plates, and utilizing tiny bowls rather than giant soup bowls, may make you feel like you're receiving a full plate's worth of food but with considerably fewer calories. Although there have been concerns expressed about the quality of Cornell Food Lab research, it is true that many of us are members of the Clean Plate Club, therefore it's worth experimenting with smaller plates to see whether we'll naturally consume lesser quantities without missing those additional nibbles.

11. SKIP THE SODA TAX…ON YOUR WAISTLINE

According to Holly Rilinger, a Nike Master Trainer and the author of Lifted: 28 Days to Strengthen Your Body, Focus Your Mind, and Elevate Your Spirit, giving up sweetened beverages like juice, soda, and even "healthy" sports drinks is one of the simplest and most successful methods to lose weight. "Drink water instead of calories," she advises. "Reserve your calorie-laden drinks for when you truly need them, such as at a party or celebration."

LAST BUT NOT LEAST... YOU SHOULD TRY THIS 10-SECOND "DAILY FIX" THAT BURNS UP TO 3 POUNDS OF BELLY FAT IN 3.5 DAYS...

Click here to see the 10-second "daily fix" that helped me drop 33.5 pounds in 30 days.