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Start your day with a chocolate! No, we are not kidding.
Warning! You may look totally crazy while trying these tips out, but they could actually work for your much awaited weight loss.
After all, eating less and exercising are perhaps not working that well for you.
#1. Sniff a peppermint
Yes we know you might feel silly, but it does work!
Whiffs of peppermint may help lower your hunger levels and calorie intake.
This was tested and the findings were surprising -- the more frequently the people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost (an average of 30 pounds each).
The possible theory is that sniffing the food tricks your brain into thinking you're actually eating it.
#2. Chocolate
Yes we know you're dying to know how chocolate could help you!
And no, you aren't reading it wrong.
Having chocolates or desserts for breakfast can actually aid in your weight loss goals.
We aren't suggesting you to have an entire brownie or a Hershey's Bar but you sure can crave upon your leftovers brownies in the morning, sip on a chocolate protein smoothie, or add some choco chips to your bowl of oats.
You burn the calories gained throughout the day, and helps you control your craving the rest of the day; so you won't end up devouring a pint of chocolate later.
#3. Go blue
You know why you don't see many restaurants decorated in blue? Because the colour blue functions as an appetite suppressant.
You could probably add blue food colouring to your meals, have your food on blue crockery, spread blue tablecloth, and maybe have some blueberries sprinkled on your food!
Also, according to evidence, having blue lights makes food look less appealing. So, go Blue!
#4. Drink warm water
Have a glass of lukewarm, or hot water prior to your meal.
What does it do?
It makes you feel that your belly is full quicker, and hence you'll end up eating less food.
#5. Light up
No, definitely not a cigarette, but a vanilla scented candle.
The aroma it gives out is know to have a calming effect on your brain and can help satiate your cravings.
When researched, a group of 160 volunteers actually lost an average of 4.5 pounds by wearing vanilla-scented patches.
#6. Eat when someone's watching!
Sounds creepy right? Well, it'll work for your benefit.
You must have noticed that when eating alone, you tend to be free and probably eat three times more than you intended. So, eat in front of someone.
Savour your bites on a park bench, in a cafe or on the table at work.
Research also shows that eating in front of a guy makes you eat lesser. All you girlies, get a date!
#7. Go dimmer, and turn the music down
It's not to create a romantic ambience, but for you to lose your pounds!
Such an atmosphere makes you enjoy your meal more and eat less.
The low lighting lowers your eating inhibitions, and the soft melody encourages more leisurely chewing, and goes against hurried up and mindlessly eating patterns.
#8. Hang a mirror opposite to where you sit
Having your inner self stare back at you reminds you of your weight loss ambitions, and you stop yourself from taking the extra bite.
A study found that this slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Wasn't that so easy?
#9. Turn the heat down, and burn calories!
Yeah, how's that relevant? It is.
Researches state that a body exposed to cooler temperatures at night have a 10 percent increase in their metabolism.
How easy are these to try? You might thank us later.
Lead image used for representational purposes only. Image: Abhijit Mhamunkar
