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4 Daily Habits This Weight Loss Coach Uses to Make Clients “Unrecognizable”

Speed up your metabolism, burn fat, and lose weight with these simple tips.

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Do you want to transform your body by summer? According to one expert, it may be as simple as adopting four healthy habits. Hannah Hammes is a weight loss coach who creates “quick and effective” workouts for busy women. In a recent social media post, she reveals “4 habits” to “become addicted to” if you want to “become unrecognizable,” she writes. “You’re willing to do the work to become unrecognizable, right? Maybe you’ve ‘tried it all,’ but ever since you’ve had babies, you’re just not seeing the results you want to see. Is your metabolism broken?! Are your hormones to blame?” She goes on to reveal the four habits “to become addicted to over the next 6 months.”


Amp Up Your Protein Intake

“Eat at least 30g of protein at every meal,” she writes in the post. “Now, I know you think that’s too much food, but I promise if you want to get there, you need to eat your protein. And heck, “eat less, move more” hasn’t gotten you the results you’re looking for anyway, so what do you have to lose +.” (Keep reading for high-protein breakfast ideas!)

Start Strength Training

She also suggests doing 30-minute strength training workouts “right at home” for convenience. “Why?? Because these will fit in your day more easily. You can wake up 30 min earlier or do it while your kiddos play nearby. The more consistently your plan allows you to be, the quicker you will see results,” she says. “Get in at least three a week. If you can’t do that, at least commit to 8k daily steps to start out.”

RELATED:10 Steps This Fat Loss Coach Used to Drop 20 Pounds Without Gaining It Back

Get Your Rest

Sleep is another key health habit if you want to lose weight. “Get at least 6-7hrs of sleep every night (so go to sleep instead of staying up all night scrolling 00),” she says. What are the health benefits of sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, getting enough z’s is a mood booster, promotes heart health, regulates blood sugar, improves mental function, restores your immune system, helps relieve stress, and aids in weight loss.

Hydrate

Her final transformation habit? Hydrate. “Drink your water sis!” she suggests. “At a minimum half your body weight in oz of water. 80+ oz is good! And add electrolytes!” According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

High Protein Breakfast 1: Cottage Cheese Eggs

In another post she reveals 5 breakfasts she eats “on repeat” when she wants “to drop body fat” fast. “All under 15 minutes, 30-50 grams protein, under 500 calories.” The first breakfast is cottage cheese eggs: “2 eggs + 1/2 cup liquid egg whites whisked together. Cook in a pan & when almost cooked through, add 1/2 cup cottage cheese and continue mixing in the pan! Add fruit of choice,” she instructs in the post. Calories: 298, Protein: 38g.

RELATED:8 Doctor-Approved Ways to Lose Weight "Without Counting Every Calorie”

High Protein Breakfast 2: Egg Sammy

She also loves this Egg Sammy: “1 English muffin toasted, 1 egg + ½ cup liquid egg whites scrambled & cooked together, 2 slices Canadian bacon & 2 tbsp reduced fat cheddar. Add all ingredients to your English muffin & enjoy!” she says. Calories: 352, Protein: 34g.

High Protein Breakfast 3: Protein Pancakes

Protein pancakes are another protein-packed, delicious morning meal. “1 serving Kodiak cakes flavor of choice, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/3 cup fairlife reduced fat milk. Mix all together and cook as pancakes!” she says. Calories: 380, Protein 41g.

High Protein Breakfast 4: Breakfast Burrito

And, who doesn’t love breakfast burritos? “1 low carb tortilla, 2 tbsp reduced fat shredded cheddar, 1 egg + 1/2 cup liquid egg whites scrambled & cooked together, 2 turkey sausage links, diced, 2 tbsp salsa. Add all ingredients to your tortilla form your burrito!” she says. Calories: 330 Protein: 35g.

RELATED:10 Food Ingredients This Coach Avoids at All Costs

High Protein Breakfast 5: Smoothie

Smoothies are an easy way to get your protein fix. “1 cup reduced fat fairlife milk, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cup frozen berries, 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower. Blend all ingredients together & enjoy!” she says. Calories: 377, Protein: 47g. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you struggling to lose weight? Make this year your weight loss success story by avoiding some diet and fitness strategies that may be backfiring. Tameika Gentles is a fitness coach and weight loss warrior who dropped a whopping 100 pounds sustainably. In a new post, she reveals a few of the things she avoided doing that enabled her to lose a lot of weight. “5 controversial things I DO NOT recommend if you’re trying to lose 50 pounds or more (and I’ve lost 100 lbs…),” she writes across the Instagram video.


She’s Lost 100 Pounds and Kept It Off After Failing Over and Over Again

“I’ve been there—tried it all and failed HARD. But after losing 100 lbs and keeping it off, here’s what I’ve learned,” she continues in the post. “And what I’m sharing isn’t about what’s good or bad—it’s about what’s NOT necessary for long-term success.”

You “Don’t Need to Do” These 5 Things to Lose Weight

“No shame to those who choose these methods—do what works for YOU! This message is for the people who feel like they have to follow these trends to succeed. I’m here to tell you: you don’t. If you’re kicking off your weight loss journey in 2025, here are five things you don’t need to do,” she says.

RELATED: Nutritionist Lost 80 Pounds With These 5 Daily Habits

1. Fasting

Fasting is the first thing you don’t need to do in order to lose weight. “Fasting can work for some, but it’s not a must for results. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later, slows your metabolism, and can mess with your hormones. Sustainable weight loss is about finding balance, not extremes,” she writes.

2. Low Carb Diet

The second thing you don’t need to do? Go on low-carb diets. “Cutting carbs might lead to quick results, but is it realistic for life? Carbs fuel your body and mind—they’re not the enemy. You don’t need to cut out entire food groups to see progress,” she says.

3. Excessive Exercise

The third thing you don’t need to do? Excessive exercise. “More isn’t always better. It’s about consistency. 30 minutes of daily movement for a year beats an intense 3-week overhaul that leads to burnout and months of inactivity,” she writes.

RELATED: This Coach Lost 110 Pounds by Walking More and These 4 Simple Changes

4. Detoxes

Number four? Detoxes. “Save your money. Your liver and kidneys are built-in detox powerhouses. Most detoxes are unnecessary (and some are even harmful). Focus on real, nourishing food instead,” she says.

5. Weight Loss Pills/Supplements

Weight loss pills and supplements are also not needed. “They’re often unregulated, unsustainable, and don’t address the behaviors that lead to lasting change. I lost 100 lbs without them, and my clients succeed without them, too. You don’t need them,” she says.

RELATED: Top Nutrition MD Reveals 5 Signs You're Eating Too Much Protein

Instead, Focus on Balance, Consistency, and What Works for You

“The key to sustainable weight loss isn’t doing what’s trendy—it’s finding what works for YOU. Starting your 2025 journey? Remember, you don’t need to follow extreme trends to see real, lasting progress. Focus on balance, consistency, and what fits your life,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to glow up all over and become the healthiest version of yourself? It might be as simple as incorporating a few healthy habits into your routine. Teagan is a fitness trainer and creator of the RFL Method. In a new social media post, she shares a few habits that will help transform your body and life. “Become addicted to these four habits and get ready to be unrecognizable,” she writes in the Instagram post.


Habit 1: Nutrition

Her first habit has to do with nutrition.“Track calories to understand your intake,” she says in the post. “Eat in a 500-calorie deficit for sustainable weight loss. Plan meals to ensure balanced nutrition. Prioritize protein and fiber.”

Habit 2: Strength Training

Focused woman performing barbell curls at gym, bathed in natural light. Gym workout routine.Shutterstock

Her second habit is strength training. She recommends at least 3 strength training sessions per week for muscle growth. She also recommends training in progressive overload. “Increase weight/reps over time,” she says.

Habit 3: Daily Movement

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Next up, daily movement. “Walk 7,500+ steps/day to boost metabolism,” she writes. “Gradually increase daily steps to build endurance. Incorporate activities that bring you joy: jogging, cycling, swimming.”

RELATED:11 Things You Need to Do Every Day to Stop be Hungry, According to Jillian Michaels

Habit 4: Mindful Wellness

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Finally, she recommends mindful wellness in the form of daily stress management.

  • Deep breathing exercises, Mindfulness meditation
  • Yoga or Pilates for flexibility and relaxation
  • Spend time in nature: walks, hikes, or outdoor activities

Shift Your Approach

In another post, she offers more tips on how to “kick start your fat loss journey today,” starting with shifting your approach. “Ditch the all-or-nothing mentality and focus on progress, not perfection,” she says.

80/20 Approach to Nutrition

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She also stresses the importance of nutrition. Her stance? Eat healthy most of the time. “Adopt the 80/20 approach: nourish your body 80% of the time and enjoy treats guilt-free 20% of the time,” she writes.

Healthy Lifestyle

Portrait of happy young housewife with greek salad.Shutterstock

Crash diets might help you lose weight fast, but they aren’t generally a great tactic for long-term success. Instead, focus on a healthy lifestyle. “Stop falling for quick fixes and focus on building sustainable, long-term habits,” she writes.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

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It can be tempting to compare yourself to others. However, you should only compete with yourself, she says. “Shift your focus from comparing yourself to others to celebrating your own successes, no matter how small.”

RELATED:A Nutrition Coach Shares 5 Fat Loss Rules That Actually Work for Everyone

Don’t Give Up

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Don’t give up! “Stop making excuses and take ownership of your journey. Show up consistently, even when it’s challenging,” she writes. “Implement these mindset shifts to break free from restrictive dieting, build healthy habits, and find balance in your life!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Coach Reveals the 5 Basics of Weight Loss
Instagram.com/@rivafitness
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you trying to lose weight? There’s a good chance you are overcomplicated it, according to one expert. Riva Siggins is an online coach who “loves food and movement.” She regularly shares tips on the best ways to burn fat and build muscle with her hundreds of thousands of followers. In a new post, she breaks down how to keep weight loss simple. “These tips may sound simple but often fat loss is over complicated. Nail the basics and you’ll get results,” she writes.

Eat Lots of Protein

Her first tip has to do with diet. “Make protein your best friend,” she writes. “Not only will it help you retain more muscle as you lose body fat which will contribute to a leaner physique but it is also the most filling macronutrient so will be sticking to a deficit easier.” To get enough protein she adds a scoop of protein powder to her oats so she starts the day with 20 grams. “Utilise lean protein sources as well such as chicken breast, beef mince, turkey means and white fish,” she says.

Prioritize Sleep

Next, get enough rest. “Stop underestimating how important sleep is. Lack of sleep can increase hunger as your hormones ghrelin and leptin which send signals to your brain telling you when you’re hungry/satiated don’t work as efficiently when you’re sleep deprived and this can result in your feeling hungrier, food focus being higher and more cravings which can make sticking to a deficit a LOT harder,” she writes.

Lift Weights and Do Cardio

Next, prioritize weight training while utilizing cardio “as a tool instead of solely doing cardio,” she explains. “Weight training will help you maintain more muscle so as you drop body fat you won’t just get smaller and flatter, you’ll maintain shape and have a lean, strong looking physique. Cardio can be utilized to help increase your output but if you just do cardio you’ll lose a lot of muscle which you don’t want.”

Consume Whole Foods

Next, prioritize whole foods. “200 calories of potatoes is going to give you a lot more volume compared to 200 calories or chocolate, include the foods you enjoy in moderation of course as this’ll help you stick to it but if you’re sensible with your food selection you’re going to feel like you’re eating a lot and by prioritizing food sources such as complex carbs, lean protein and fruit/veg you will be left feeling fuller for longer too,” she says.

Take It One Day at a Time

Her last tip to simplify weight loss? “One day at a time,” she suggests. “If you go over your calories or have a day where you fall off track so what? Just pick yourself up a go day, it isn’t about perfection every day it’s about consistency over time.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

"I had never experienced an exercise high in my life, and I couldn't imagine living without bread, rice, and noodles," confesses Richa Prasad. After years of failed diets and a medical scare, she discovered that sustainable weight loss didn't require the intense lifestyle changes she'd been attempting.


Meet Richa, who, along with Lucy Liang, founded Coach Viva—a company helping people lose weight through simple, sustainable habits. Her approach? Work smarter, not harder. Here's how she lost 20 pounds using three surprisingly simple habits that finally stuck.

Why Your Past Weight Loss Attempts Failed

"There was a secret part of me that felt weight loss was something to get over with—like I was dragging behind in a race," Richa explains in her post. This mindset led to a cycle of intense starts and disappointing stops.

"Look at your lean friends," she says. "They aren't doing anything intense. But I kept trying to catch up to them with unsustainable plans, only to fall behind and regain the weight."

The First Lazy Habit That Changed Everything

After booking a personal trainer and dedicating months to exercising, Richa learned a crucial truth: "Physical movement contributes just 20% to our metabolic rate—and only 5% comes from structured exercise."

Instead of intense workouts, she focused on simple movement. "Even if you went to the gym for two hours, it doesn't compensate for 14 hours of sitting," she explains. "Adding a little more movement every day compounds to a big metabolic boost."

RELATED:12 Ways People Actually Lose 30 Pounds Coach Explains

A Realistic Movement Plan Anyone Can Follow

"Start by checking your average daily steps," Richa advises. "If it's below 6,000, that's your sufficient goal. Set an upper goal 1,000 steps higher for high-motivation days."

The beauty of this approach? "Because this isn't intense, my hunger levels didn't spike, so sticking to my nutrition plan was way easier. When I'm walking, I'm not mindlessly snacking, and the bar is set low enough that it minimizes the all-or-nothing thinking."

The Second Habit That Made Food Choices Simple

"With so much conflicting nutrition information out there, figuring out what to eat can feel like navigating a minefield," Richa acknowledges. Instead of eliminating food groups, she developed three simple rules:

  1. "Drink one glass of water before eating. Early stages of dehydration manifest as hunger, not thirst."
  2. "Have one palm-sized amount of lean protein first. It causes the highest metabolic rate of any macro."
  3. "Use a half-cup-sized bowl for everything else. This gives your brain time to catch up with your stomach."

The Final Habit That Sealed Her Success

After testing 33 different sleep hacks, Richa discovered the key to maintaining her new habits: consistent sleep. "Your body doesn't understand the concept of a weekend," she explains. "All it wants is predictability."

Her three-step sleep routine:

  • Wake up at the same time daily—even on weekends.
  • Get immediate morning sunlight.
  • Keep phones out of the bedroom.

RELATED:Woman Tried the Dopamine Menu to Break Free From Her Phone and Here's What Happened

Why These Habits Actually Stick

"Weight loss is like a domino effect," Richa concludes. "You tip one small domino, triggering a chain reaction leading to massive results." By focusing on these simple, "lazy" habits rather than extreme measures, she found sustainable success that lasted—without feeling deprived or exhausted.

"The start-stop approach unsurprisingly caused poor weight loss, but these habits? They're so simple I actually kept them. And that made all the difference." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to lose weight with some easy, expert-backed tips? Cori Lefkowith is the founder of Redefining Strength and is devoted to helping people get in shape no matter their age. In a new YouTube video, she reveals a few of her simple tricks for losing weight fast. “Stop believing that losing weight and maintaining your results has to be a full-time job because it doesn't. And the more we act like it has to be, the more we're ultimately sabotaging ourselves. We're just creating unsustainable habits that, while they may yield some fast initial results, also lead to a quick plateau and us just regaining the weight and even more,” she says in the clip. “To help you stop this extreme dieting cycle, I'd found myself personally caught in for years. I wanna share five weird but extremely effective weight loss tips to help you build your leanest, strongest body ever.”


1. Stop Trying So Hard to Lose Weight

Her first trick is one of the “oddest sounding weight loss tips ever,” she admits in her post. “Stop focusing on losing weight. That goal weight you have in mind that you've tried countless times to get back to is actually stopping you from losing weight,” she says. “It's causing you to eat less as you train harder, which doesn't make you actually lose fat any faster. Our singular focus on that scale and that number changing leads to burnout and metabolic adaptations that make each weight loss attempt harder and harder.

Measure Success by Non-Scale Victories

“Instead, we need to focus on multiple ways of measuring success and even step away from the scale for a bit because it isn't that number on the scale we're truly after. It's how we feel at that weight that we want back. And that feeling isn't attached to the number. It's how energized we felt,” she says. “Focusing only on that number being our only measure of progress often leads to us giving up on habits that are working habits that would yield the results we want if we gave them time because the scale doesn't really show us true fat loss happening, especially as we retain and even gain muscle.” She recommends using how your clothes fit, progress pictures, and measurements instead. “We need to celebrate the other signs of success such as improved energy, better sleep, crushing our workouts, and inches being lost that show us the habits are working.”

RELATED:8 Tips to Make Losing Weight Feel Effortless, From Proven Experts

2. Build Your Diet Based on Meals You Live

The next weird tip, and it's more a way of thinking about how to make diet changes, is to build your diet based on meals you love,” she says. “When we think about adjusting our diet, we go to all the foods we can't have and then find diet meals we now need to make. This makes us honestly often feel deprived and really not enjoy our lifestyle. It makes us dream of going back to what we were doing, and this is why the changes don't stick. We don't evolve our diet to match our needs and goals.”

Tweak Your Meals to Make Them Healthier

“Instead of focusing on diet meals, take meals you already eat and love and find ways to adjust them to match your goals,” she says. If you love pizza, she recommends finding ways to add protein or adjust the portion. If you are a pasta lover, either add more protein or swap regular pasta for chickpeas or lentils. “Take the dishes you ultimately want to enjoy and find ways to tweak them so you don't feel like everything you love is being cut out or that your meal prep and cooking habits all of a sudden have to shift so dramatically you're miserable. Stop making yourself extra miserable, trying to overhaul your diet completely.”

RELATED:Woman Lost 42 Pounds With These 7 Simple Protein-Rich Recipes

3. Cut Back on Cardio

“The third tip is something some of you may hate here and others may love: Cut back on the steady state cardio,” she says. “If you love running or cycling, I'm not telling you not to do it, but if you've been struggling to lose weight and see the muscle definition you want, you may want to cut back on your mileage for a bit or really acknowledge the cost of doing this cardio and make massive changes to your strength workouts and diet to account for this. For those of you who refuse to cut back on the cardio, slow down your strength workouts. Lift heavier with lower reps and longer rest periods while increasing your protein more than you want to. And even deprioritize your endurance sports to focus on your lifting when you're freshest.”

Instead, Focus on Building Muscle

“For those of you who are thinking, I don't like cardio, but it's always helped me lose weight in the past. Think about that statement. You are here because you need to lose weight again. So, as a long-term strategy, cardio didn't work. Part of the reason is that we've always used it to try to out-exercise our diet instead of making dietary changes, but also because we haven't really built muscle, and we've even lost it in the process of eating less. As we try to burn more, this negatively impacts our metabolic rate and how many calories we burn, not only in our workouts but at rest. And the more calories we burn at rest, the more muscle we have, the more toned we look, and the easier our results will be to maintain. So instead of turning to cardio, focus on strength workouts, whether you challenge yourself with body weight sessions or hit the gym to lift, focus on building muscle,” she explains.

RELATED:Doctor Reveals 4 Foods That Trick Your Body Into Losing Weight Like Ozempic

4. Don’t Always Be on a Diet

“This next tip was one of the weirder realizations for me, but also why I feel I'm able to stay leaner all year round: Stop acting like the person always on a diet. When we're working to lose weight, we can feel like the friend who can never eat out. We can feel weird at parties or celebrations. We can feel like we have to avoid the baked goods at our work or office lunches. We can feel a bit like we have to isolate ourselves and not really have fun. No wonder most of us dread making diet changes and ultimately fall off the healthy habits we're trying to build. But we often do this because we feel this need to be perfect, to eat clean based on what someone else told us a healthy diet should look like. We also don't own who we are, our current lifestyle, or what we want our lifestyle to look like ultimately. We approach habit changes as being these very set things we have to do in one rigid form instead of finding ways to implement them to match what we need,” she says.

Instead, Practice Moderation

“If your friend invites you out to dinner at your favorite restaurant, instead of saying no, instead of trying to deprive yourself of a meal you love, plan it in. Maybe you go for a lower calorie and higher protein earlier in the day to have flexibility at that meal instead of feeling like you've ruined the day. Just focus on that portion control and getting right back into your healthy habits the day after, too. Don't let that dinner become multiple meals. If you love the baked goods someone surprised you with at work, maybe you have one, but instead of feeling guilty for it so that you end up eating ten or forgetting about the rest of your healthy meals the rest of the day, just enjoy it and even adjust your other meals to create a balance,” she says.

RELATED:Nutritionist Reveals 8 Simple Food Swaps That Actually Burn Fat

5. Take More “Movement Snacks”

The final tip that she “found to be super key in not only achieving amazing body recomposition but sustaining it over the course of the year is to take more movement snacks,” she says. “I think so often we put this emphasis on working out and working out intensely over just moving more. But the more active we are, the more we want to be active and the more active we want to be. Often, the more we wanna do other healthy habits that support the fact that we feel good, the more we do, the more we do.”

The More You Move, the Less Likely You Are to “Indulge in Mindless Eating”

“Throughout the day, include movement, snacks, and getting up and doing something, even if it's just for a minute or two. Listen to a song or quick podcast and walk around your office. Get up and stretch to reverse, sitting hunched over. Get up between episodes of your nightly TV show and go roll out or even wash the dishes quickly. Do a quick post-dinner walk, but get up and move around,” she suggests. “The less we're just seated, bored, lazing around doing nothing, the less likely we are to indulge in mindless eating. And often, a big habit we have to break on top of the benefits of moving more is mindless eating. Especially the desire to eat late at night while watching TV. However, just trying to willpower our way through this desire can often lead to losing the battle when stressed because we haven't shifted our patterns or environment. That's why these movement snacks can be so key. We aren't focusing on what we shouldn't be doing. We're focusing on something good. We want to do this mindset shift in focus to help us feel positive or feel like we're fighting something.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Jessica Valant
Copyright jessicasvalant/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Balance becomes increasingly crucial as we age, and the statistics are eye-opening. Research shows that people over 50 who can't balance on one leg for just 10 seconds face twice the mortality risk in the following decade. Physical therapistJessica Valant, with over 25 years of experience in rehabilitation and movement training, has developed a straightforward 10-minute routine to help improve your stability. As a respected PT, Pilates instructor, and women's health expert reaching over 800K YouTube subscribers, Jessica emphasizes that better balance is achievable at any age. These exercises, which you can do right in your own home, could significantly improve your stability and confidence in daily activities.

Understanding Balance and Why It Matters

"Balance happens when we include many different parts of what's going on," Jessica explains. "We have strength, we have mobility happening. It includes our eyesight, our vestibular system." This comprehensive approach to balance training addresses all these components, making it particularly effective for adults looking to maintain or improve their stability.

Setting Up Your Safe Practice Space

One of the best aspects of this routine is its simplicity. "All you need is a chair or a kitchen counter or a bathroom counter or a wall or anything close to hang on to," Jessica says. She emphasizes that wearing supportive shoes is perfectly fine, especially if you have any foot concerns.

RELATED: 3 Simple Stretches Made This Coach More Flexible in 2 Weeks

Foundation Exercise One Toe Raises

The routine begins with toe raises, a fundamental movement for ankle strength. Standing with feet hip-width apart, rise onto your toes and lower back down. "I want you to work on doing this without holding on to anything at all," Jessica advises, though she recommends starting with support if needed. For an extra challenge, try closing your eyes during the movement.

Building Knee and Hip Stability

"When falls happen, a lot of times they'll happen stepping off a curb or going downstairs," Jessica notes. To address this, she introduces mini squats. These aren't deep squats but rather gentle knee bends that improve mobility in your hips, knees, and ankles – all crucial for preventing falls.

Mastering Single-Leg Balance

The critical test of balance is standing on one leg. Jessica guides through this gradually: "This is called a single leg balance, but also we're doing a little bit of weight shifting. We're teaching that left leg how to hold the weight on its own." Start by holding onto support and work toward independence.

Dynamic Balance Through Marching

Slow marching exercises simulate real-world movements. "Try not to look down at your feet when you're doing this," Jessica instructs. "The more we kind of hunch and try to walk like this, the more likely we are to fall." Keep your posture tall and eyes forward.

RELATED:8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat

Lateral Stability Training

Side leg lifts add another dimension to balance training. "The sneaky part as a physical therapist, what I'm making you do right now is hold your weight on that left leg," Jessica reveals. This strengthens the standing leg while improving side-to-side stability.

Advanced Hip Mobility Work

The hip circle exercise combines lifting, opening, and lowering movements. As Jessica explains, "This is a lot of hip mobility, which believe it or not, really good for our balance and just for overall health in those joints." This movement builds both mobility and strength.

Essential Ankle Mobility

Calf stretches are crucial for maintaining ankle flexibility. Jessica demonstrates how to stretch while maintaining proper alignment, emphasizing the importance of keeping the back heel down and maintaining tall posture.

RELATED:12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster

Progressive Challenge Training

"This isn't a single day workout to fix everything," Jessica emphasizes. "This is the long game." The routine concludes with balance challenges that can be progressively made more difficult, such as closing your eyes during exercises when you're ready. Always prioritize safety and work within your comfort level.

Jessica's repeats her key message: "You can do it every single day, or again, just pick and choose pieces of it to do at your kitchen counter anytime during the day to help your own balance, meet your body where it is and know that long-term you are doing something good for yourself." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

Nikkiey Stott
Copyright nikkieystott/Instagram

Don’t let your age be the excuse you use for not being in shape. You can be strong and fit in at any age, says one expert. Nikkiey Stott, BSN, Fitness Coach and co-founder of Warrior Babe, helps “women manage macros, build muscles, & boost confidence.” In a new post, she reveals the top five exercises you should do if you are over 40 that offer the most bang for your buck. “Do these 5 power moves if you’re over 40,” she writes. “Want to stay strong, fit, and functional at 40, 50, or even 60+? Save these 5 moves to your weekly workouts.”

Squats

The first power move she recommends is a butt-buster: Squats. “Build lower body strength and protect your joints,” she says about the glute and leg exercises, which she also demonstrates in the video.

Pushups

Another effective exercise that offers full-body benefits? Pushups. “Strengthen your chest, shoulders, and arms while improving core stability,” she says.

Deadlifts

Next on her power moves list? Deadlifts. “The ultimate move for a strong back, glutes, and hamstrings,” she says about the exercise, which requires weights.

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Standing Shoulder Press

Grab a pair of free weights or a bar and do a standing shoulder press, she suggests. “Keep your shoulders strong and mobile as you age,” she says.

Lat Pulldowns or Dumbbell Rows

Lastly, choose from two exercises, lat pulldowns or dumbbell rows. “Boost upper back strength and posture,” she says.

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10,000 Steps Per Day

In another post, she also recommends walking “10,000 steps per day,” which she says equals “70 marathons per year.” A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

Strength Training

And, of course, she also recommends investing time in strength training. “Committing to 3 workouts a week = 156 workouts a year,” she adds. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

  • Develop strong bones
  • Manage your weight
  • Enhance your quality of life
  • Manage chronic conditions
  • Sharpen your thinking skills
And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these20 Superfoods for People Over 50.

Trish Cheatham this.phoenix.rising
Copyright this.phoenix.rising/Instagram

Are you struggling to lose weight in your 50s? Make some simple changes to your routine. Trish Cheatham, CEO of Think Tank and White Buffalo Film Studios, is a 52-year-old on a fitness journey. On her This Phoenix Rising social media page, she shares about her weight loss journey after losing 90 pounds “naturally.” In a new post, she reveals her dramatic before-and-after transformation photo and shares the top 7 habits responsible for her weight loss.

She Says That Many People Feel Like They Are “Falling Apart” in Their 50s

“Every day I see a new post on social media from a friend about a health ailment. Now that we are nearing our 50s, it seems like everyone is falling apart. It frustrates me because I see how helpless they feel and they just accept that this is life and part of aging,” Trish writes.

“I try and educate them on the facts: that you can change your health through proper diet, nutrition and exercise - but it often falls on deaf ears. I’m met with a lot of resistance. People don’t want to change their ways, they are comfortable in what they know.”

She Has Watched Lots of People Succumb to Health Conditions

“I’ve watched as many of my friends suffer through health conditions, some have even succumbed to them. Others will temporarily get healthy only to fall back into bad habits - because, let’s face it, being bad is sometimes fun. (Am I right?)” she writes.

She Reversed It, and You Can Too

“Listen, I’ve been there. I’ve not heeded the small wakeup calls before - it took a big one for me to go WHOA and stop my bad behavior. But, now that I’m on the other side, I just wish I could scream from the rooftops, ‘YOU CAN REVERSE THIS! YOU CAN FEEL BETTER! YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER LIFE’” she says.

The Roadmap Is “Really Simple and Easy”

“Okay, so maybe that’s what I’m trying to do here…Some days I feel like I’m hitting my head against the wall. I share and share and still people aren’t ready to change. They have to make that decision themselves - there’s no amount of convincing I can do to make that happen. However, for those ready, the roadmap is really simple and easy,” she continues.

1. Find a Functional MD and Good Bloodwork Done

The first thing she recommends doing is consulting an expert. “Find a Functional MD and get your bloodwork, hormones, gut health and overall health in order,” she writes.

2. Start Eating Healthy

The next thing to do is to work on your diet. “Start eating healthy. Cut out the processed food and junk. Stop going out to eat, especially fast food,” she says.

3. Quit Drinking

Also, she recommends not drinking alcohol. “Dump the alcohol. All of it. Now. Drink water and lots of it,” she says.

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4. Exercise

She also recommends exercising. “Move your body. Every. Single. Day. Get steps in and stay active,” she says. A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

5. Lift Weights

Strength training is also key. “Lift weights - and heavy ones. And make sure you are lifting heavier ones each and every day,” she says. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

  • Develop strong bones
  • Manage your weight
  • Enhance your quality of life
  • Manage chronic conditions
  • Sharpen your thinking skills.

6. Get Enough Sleep

“Prioritize sleep and make sure you get 7-8 hours a day,” she continues. What are the health benefits of sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, getting enough z’s is a mood booster, promotes heart health, regulates blood sugar, improves mental function, restores your immune system, helps relieve stress, and aids in weight loss.

7. Reduce Stress

Her last tip. “Do your best to reduce stress in your life (trust me, I know how tough this one is!)” she says. “Life is precious and living our best life in the most amazing gift we can give to ourselves and those we love most.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.