26 Oct 5 Easy Habits to Kick Start Your Fat Loss Journey…

1. Start taking 1-3 grams of fish oil every night before bed;
2. Aim to eat a balanced breakfast within an hour of waking up each morning, or immediately after training if you are an early riser (i.e. 5am CrossFit class);
3. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water filteredthroughout each day;
4. Swap milky coffees for decaf long blacks and decaffeinated herbal teas like Rooibos and Chamomile;
5. Try to eat a protein food item at every meal and snack.

Why?

1. Start taking 1-3 grams of fish oil every night before bed:

Fish oil is a fantastic daily supplement because it is anti-inflammatory and promotes healthy brain and heart function as well as fat burning.

2. Aim to eat a balanced breakfast within an hour of waking up each morning, or immediately after training if you are an early riser (i.e. 5am CrossFit class).

This will help to get your metabolism fired up for the day and give you the energy you need for an effective workout or, if eating after training, will help you to recover faster.

3. Drink at least 2-3 litres of filtered water throughout each day.

This will help to flush toxins out of your system and most of the time when we are feeling “hungry” between meals and snacks, we are actually dehydrated so this will help to satisfy those confusing cravings and stop us reaching for the sugary afternoon treats.

4. Swap milky coffees for decaf long blacks and decaffeinated herbal teas like Rooibos.

Coffee is an appetite inhibitor meaning that it stops you wanting to eat and messes with your hunger signals – this is not great if you are trying to get into the habit of eating small frequent meals every few hours to keep your energy levels more balanced leaving you clear minded, more focused and more productive! Caffeine also increases your cortisol hormone, which prevents fat loss and negatively affects your sleep patterns.

5. Try to eat a protein food item at every meal and snack.

Protein is made up of essential amino acids, most easily found in animal foods but also found in dairy items and tofu, and to a less favourable degree in soy and legumes/beans. By eating a protein food item each time you put food in your mouth, it will help to fill you up – leaving you more satisfied after eating – and help to stop sugar cravings. It will also repair the cells in your body, keeping you functioning closer to your best!

For more info on improving your health and fitness through nutrition and exercise head to thechieflife.com to check out our other blog articles or to get on board with your very own personalised meal plan and/or training program (caveat: if you are training using CrossFit methodology or in a CrossFit affiliate, you are already doing extremely effective training to help you achieve your goals so we recommend you continue to follow your gyms program but if you would like a “work your weakness”, “extras” or “mobility” program to complement this we would be more than happy to assist.

Stacey Harris, BSc (Nutrition) Hons. CF-L3

– Take responsibility for your health and make good choices