7 Morning Habits That Don’t Let Us Lose Weight
shivani k 
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All of us have our own unique morning rituals. Some of us hit the snooze button and sleep for an extra five minutes, some believe that taking an hour-long shower will help them to have a beautiful day ahead, and others (read: the active folks) hit the gym first thing in the morning. Whatever our mornings may be like, the morning rituals become second nature.
But, did you know that the way you start your day has a direct link to your weight gain as well? We all know that there is no secret to being healthy. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are the keys. And if you find yourself putting in all the efforts required to lose weight but can’t see any positive results, then we suggest you screen your early morning routine. And if you find yourself doing any of the following morning habits, it’s probably the cause behind you not losing your weight quick enough.
1. Skipping Breakfast – The First Meal Of The Day
We’ve all been hearing since that dawn of time that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And that you should indulge in a spread like that of a king’s breakfast. Eating a balanced, hearty yet healthy breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day (1). And if you think that skipping your first meal will make you lose weight, think again! An empty stomach can actually be the gateway to eating unhealthy foods for the rest of the day. Even if you’re in a hurry in the mornings, make some time to churn up a healthy breakfast bowl for yourself (2).
2. Not Drinking Water When You Wake Up
The fact that our body is essentially made up of water isn’t news to us. It’s important to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning when we wake up. Our body needs water to jumpstart our metabolism. Additionally, it provides fuel for our brain and helps to flush out toxins from the previous day. The best way to shed those extra kilos is to drink enough water every day and stay hydrated (3).
3. Not Exercising
If you’re arguing over the fact that since the sole purpose of exercising is to burn calories, it can be done at any time of the day, we’ll tell you why it’s important to exercise on an empty stomach. Research says that working out in the morning relieves stress from our body and also regulates our appetite (4). We don’t end up binge eating throughout the day. You can call it the “waking up” effect of exercising.
4. Hitting That Snooze Button
Make sure you jump out of your bed once the alarm rings. Don’t hit the snooze button and oversleep (5). Catnaps like these will make you feel lethargic and your mood swings will get people around you to go bonkers. Our body is in sync with nature. If we oversleep, it can affect our body’s everyday functions. It can lead to weight gain and fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
5. Reading News In The Morning
Stress can stimulate weight gain instantly (6). Ergo, avoid reading news that is disturbing to the body and mind. If you are someone who sleeps less, and stress is the reason behind it, get some help or try to calm your mind. Stress makes our body produce hormones that save up our calories, resulting in excessive fat cells in our body (7). If you are stressing out in life whilst dieting, you won’t lose any weight. So, eliminate stress first and then your fat will follow the lead!
6. Not Realizing The Value Of Pets
We always talk about surrounding ourselves with people who motivate us to lead a healthy life. But did you know that working out with your pet is much more beneficial? Sounds weird? But it’s true! Pets keep us happy; hence, jogging with your dog will never tire you out (8). You feel positive and stress-free when you take up activities with your pets.
7. Not Being A Sunshine Person
Soaking one’s body in the early morning sunshine is very beneficial to our body. The sun’s rays aren’t harsh in the wee hours; therefore, no skin damage is done. Sun’s rays are a major source of vitamin D, which aids weight loss. It decreases the size of our lipids (9). Now you know why we tend to gain weight in the winters, right? But remember to wear sunscreen if you are venturing out in harsh sunlight.
So, if you find yourself addicted to a routine that isn’t benefitting your health, change it! Changes in our small, everyday habits can benefit our bodies in the long term. We hope the abovementioned disclaimers will help you get in good shape at a faster pace. If you have any suggestions to add on, leave them in the comments below!
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