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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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While you may think that chocolate and alcohol are taboo when dieting, these foods can actually help release fat. Just be sure to stick to moderate quantities and go for dark chocolate and red wine.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Repeat the mantra “I can commit to anything for 21 days.” But after that, you’ll be surprised that you feel so healthy and energized after sticking with your diet.