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5 Exercises to Tone Your Glutes That Only Require a Band, Says Influencer Sadielee Thomas

The fitness trainer shares the at-home workout responsible for her glutes.

Leah Groth
By Leah GrothAug 11, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Sadielee_Thomas1
sadieleethomas/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothAug 11, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Fitness & Workouts

Sadielee Thomas is sharing her glute workout – and all you need is an exercise band. In a new social media post, the influencer shows off her perfect glutes and demonstrates the exercises she does to maintain them. “POV: you realize you only need these 5 exercises & a band to tone and tighten your booty! 🍑” she wrote in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about her glute workout – plus her walking workout and the exercises responsible for her abs.

Muscle “Toning and Tightening” Involves “Muscle Growth and Fat Loss”

Sadielee_Thomas3sadieleethomas/Instagram

Before she gets into the workout, she shares “some crucial points I’d like to emphasize,” namely that the idea of “toning or tightening” muscles is a misconception. “Rather, the process involves muscle growth and fat loss, which collectively sculpt the desired toned appearance. Despite the appeal of catchy phrases, it’s important to understand what it’ll actually take to reach your fitness goals,” she explains.

Related: 5 Mistakes I Stopped Making After Becoming a Dietitian

You Need to Consider the Nutrition

Sadielee_Thomas7sadieleethomas/Instagram

“It’s important to recognize that no workout alone can lead to significant body fat reduction. For effective results, it’s important to complement your workout routine with a nutrition plan tailored to your goals. Remember, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in results,” she says.

Here Is Her Glute Workout

She recommends doing 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on your fitness level.”

  1. Donkey kicks
  2. Side-lying leg extensions
  3. Standing glute kick back
  4. Fire hydrants
  5. Static glute bridge abductions

Here Is Her Walking Workout

Sadielee recently shared a 50-minute walking workout on the treadmill. “Experience the ultimate blend of speed, incline, and interval challenges,” she wrote.

Check out the workout ➡️

  • 5 min warm up - 3.5 speed
  • 10 min steady pace - 4.0 speed
  • 7 min incline walk - 3.5 speed
  • 5 min moderate pace - 3.5 speed
  • 8 min interval walk - 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed
  • 10 min speed variation - 4.0 ~ 4.5 speed
  • 5 min cool down 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed

Here Is Her Core Workout

Sadie recently shared a core workout. “This particular workout didn’t single-handedly transform my core. However, incorporating movements like these, along with a diet tailored to my goals, was pivotal in achieving core transformation post-pregnancy,” she wrote in the caption, specifying that you should do 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on fitness level.”

  1. Squat chops
  2. Dumbbell windmills
  3. Dumbbell around the world
  4. Single-leg knee drive

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to tone and tighten any part of your body, keep in mind that you will need to build muscle and burn fat. This usually involves a combination of dietary changes and fitness.

workout routineswalking

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Fitness & Workouts

5 Exercises to Tone Your Glutes That Only Require a Band, Says Influencer Sadielee Thomas

Sadielee_Thomas1
sadieleethomas/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothAug 11, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Sadielee Thomas is sharing her glute workout – and all you need is an exercise band. In a new social media post, the influencer shows off her perfect glutes and demonstrates the exercises she does to maintain them. “POV: you realize you only need these 5 exercises & a band to tone and tighten your booty! 🍑” she wrote in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about her glute workout – plus her walking workout and the exercises responsible for her abs.

Muscle “Toning and Tightening” Involves “Muscle Growth and Fat Loss”

Sadielee_Thomas3sadieleethomas/Instagram

Before she gets into the workout, she shares “some crucial points I’d like to emphasize,” namely that the idea of “toning or tightening” muscles is a misconception. “Rather, the process involves muscle growth and fat loss, which collectively sculpt the desired toned appearance. Despite the appeal of catchy phrases, it’s important to understand what it’ll actually take to reach your fitness goals,” she explains.

Related: 5 Mistakes I Stopped Making After Becoming a Dietitian

You Need to Consider the Nutrition

Sadielee_Thomas7sadieleethomas/Instagram

“It’s important to recognize that no workout alone can lead to significant body fat reduction. For effective results, it’s important to complement your workout routine with a nutrition plan tailored to your goals. Remember, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in results,” she says.

Here Is Her Glute Workout

She recommends doing 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on your fitness level.”

  1. Donkey kicks
  2. Side-lying leg extensions
  3. Standing glute kick back
  4. Fire hydrants
  5. Static glute bridge abductions

Here Is Her Walking Workout

Sadielee recently shared a 50-minute walking workout on the treadmill. “Experience the ultimate blend of speed, incline, and interval challenges,” she wrote.

Check out the workout ➡️

  • 5 min warm up - 3.5 speed
  • 10 min steady pace - 4.0 speed
  • 7 min incline walk - 3.5 speed
  • 5 min moderate pace - 3.5 speed
  • 8 min interval walk - 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed
  • 10 min speed variation - 4.0 ~ 4.5 speed
  • 5 min cool down 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed

Here Is Her Core Workout

Sadie recently shared a core workout. “This particular workout didn’t single-handedly transform my core. However, incorporating movements like these, along with a diet tailored to my goals, was pivotal in achieving core transformation post-pregnancy,” she wrote in the caption, specifying that you should do 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on fitness level.”

  1. Squat chops
  2. Dumbbell windmills
  3. Dumbbell around the world
  4. Single-leg knee drive

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to tone and tighten any part of your body, keep in mind that you will need to build muscle and burn fat. This usually involves a combination of dietary changes and fitness.

Fitness & Workouts

Grace Albin Shows Just Shared This Ultimate Glute Workout

Grace_Albin_fitstylegrace6
Grace Albin/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJun 30, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Grace Albin is sharing the workout responsible for her glutes. In a new workout video the fitness pro shows off her amazing body in a mint green workout look while demonstrating a simple but effective routine consisting of various glute bridges. The Body Network has the details on Grace’s glute workout and all the other lifestyle habits responsible for her toned physique.

Glute Bridge Workout

“Do each one 10 reps, squeeeze at the top. How many rounds did you complete? (Remember, one round is better than none!) #glutebridges,” she captioned the video, going onto demonstrate 10 glute bridge variations, including the OG, a single leg bridge, twist unders, tippy toes, heels, hold at the top, pulse at the top, froggers, legs extended, and knees crossed.

Related: I Lost 100 Pounds by Fasting and You Can Too

Pilates + Strength Training

Grace’s workout method is “a fusion of Pilates technique with traditional fitness,” she explains to Naluda. “So we use dumbbells and resistance bands and do squats and curls. But always with the underlying philosophy of posture strength, elegant movement, and muscle lengthening.”

Try Different Exercises Until You Find One You Love

What is Grace’s number one fitness tip? “Try a lot of different formats and you’ll find the one you love enough to stay motivated and keep going,” she told Naluda. “It might be something social and structured (and free) — like a running community training for a 10k that has each weekly jog planned out to the exact mile and meets at the same time every week. Or something flexible like joining a fancy studio that offers different modalities and allows you to toggle between yoga and boot camp. Keep experimenting and you’ll hit upon the fitness routine that matches your vibe and gets you coming back.”

Her Favorite Healthy and Cheat Foods

Edamame,boiled green soybeans with saltShutterstock

Edamame is Grace’s go-to healthy food. “There are several bags of frozen edamame in my freezer at all times. It’s incredibly high in both protein and fiber. It’s quick and easy to fry or bake with a splash of olive oil, salt and pepper. You can also change the taste of it with any type of marinade or seasoning mix, so it never gets old,” she told Naluda. And her favorite cheat meal? “Deep-fried anything,” she said.

Related: 7 Rules to Losing a Lot of Weight Quickly

Walking

Fit woman walking in park during autumn timeShutterstock

Albin’s favorite form of cardio? Walking. The Mayo Clinic explains that regular brisk walking is a great exercise for helping you maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat, prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. It can also help improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve muscle endurance, increase energy levels, improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep, improve your balance and coordination, strengthen immune system, and reduce stress and tension.

💪🔥Body Booster: Try different fitness activities until you find one that you enjoy and keeps you motivated.

Fitness & Workouts

Jeremy Ethier Reveals 3 Top Exercises for Perfect Glutes

Fitness woman doing lunges exercises for leg muscle workout training in gym.
Shutterstock
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothApr 16, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Do you want to achieve the perfect glutes? According to one expert, you can do this with the help of just three types of exercises. Jeremy Ethier is a kinesiologist fitness influencer with over 6.1 million YouTube followers and one million Instagram followers who uses his science-backed training to help people lose weight and get into great shape. In a recent clip, he drops knowledge about what he learned using a $12,000 EMG machine “to find out what exercises best target each area of the glutes.”

In the caption, he elaborated. “I used an EMG machine to find out what glute exercises best target the lower glutes, upper glutes, and glute medius. Here are the results and here is a sample glute workout you can get started with right away,” he writes. We also asked our Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, to weigh in on the glute-busting exercises.

Lower Glute Exercises

Determined female athlete looking away and doing goblet squat with heavy kettlebell during intense training in spacious light gymShutterstock

“Let's start with the lower glutes. Two types of exercises activated this region the best,” says Ethier. “The first were lower body presses. These include barbell squats, split squats, and step-ups.” In the video, he demonstrates the exercises.

Deadlift Variations

Strong woman exercising with heavy weights. Fit female doing deadlift workout with barbell in old warehouse.Shutterstock

The second were different deadlift variations “like conventional and Romanian deadlifts for the upper glutes, cable kickbacks, and hip thrust,” says Ethier. “Both did a great job at activating this region.”

Upper Side Glute Exercises

Woman exercising lateral leg lifts with resistance bandShutterstock

For the upper side glute, he recommends glute medius exercises “where the legs move laterally to the side,” he says. “These included lateral band walks, seated machine abductions, and curtsy lunges.” He recommends doing one to two exercises per category.

What Is an EMG Machine?

Electromyography equipmentShutterstock

What is an EMG machine anyway? According to Collingwood, the machine measures electrical activity to measure muscle response. Should you try it out? “No, the average person does not need this machine to test their muscles,” she says.

RELATED: 4 Secrets to Burning Belly Fat While You Sleep

Should You Try This Workout

Jeremy_Ethier2jeremyethier/Instagram

If you want to grow your glutes, you should definitely try Ethier’s exercises. “This workout is great,” Collingwood says. “All of these exercises are excellent.”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to build up your glutes, make sure to choose exercises specific to the lower and upper glutes as well as the glute medius.

Fitness & Workouts

Denise Austin Shares 3 Simple Exercises to “Lift and Tighten Your Booty”

Denise_Austin_5
deniseaustin/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJul 13, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want a great booty? You are going to have to work out for it, says Denise Austin. The fitness pro, 67, has been training clients for several decades and has the body of a woman half her age, so clearly she knows a thing or two about glute work. In a new social media post she shares a few of her go-to exercises to achieve her perky booty. “Look great from behind!! Give these three squat variations a try,” she writes in the Instagram post. “Here are three variations of a squat,” she says in the clip, “to lift and tighten your booty.”

Squat with Leg Left

The first one is a “squat with a leg lift,” she says. “This is a great way to reshape your bottom half. Squeeze your buttocks! Look great from behind!” In the caption she adds that “this works your legs and will really lift the booty!”

Side Squat

Photo of attractive concentrated woman 20s in tracksuit squatting near sport mat during workout on boardwalk at seasideShutterstock

The second exercise is a side squat. “Move to the side and up. Work those legs and tone your booty,” she says. “This one is great for what we call saddlebags, they will help to reshape your outer thighs,” she adds in the caption.

Related: Fitness Expert Gabby Dawn Allen’s Secrets to a Perfect Body

Plié Squat

Girl stretching trainer shows plie squat exercise to strengthen the gluteal muscles in a light fitness studio with large mirrors.Shutterstock

The third is a Plié squat. “Works your inner and outer thighs,” she says. “If you are over 50 and have knee issues, just go halfway,” she continues, reminding to “squeeze that buttocks. If you don’t squeeze it, no one else will!”

Why Squats Are Good

Female athlete doing squats holding a medicine ball standing on a rooftop. Woman doing workout using medicine ball with an agility ladder by her side on rooftop.Shutterstock

Squats in general are a great move to add to your routine with a “multitude of benefits,” explains Kendra Gamble of HIT Fitness. They help “increase strength, size and power of quads (front part of legs), glutes (butt), hamstrings (back of legs), calves, adductors (inner thighs), tendons and ligaments, and lowers your chances of knee and ankle injuries.”

Related: I Stopped Doing These 3 Things and Lost 40 Pounds

Studies Have Found They Are One of the Most Impactful Exercises

Leg burning exercise, using new EMS technology. A young attractive man in EMS clothes in the gym doing squats with his arms outstretched. Electrical muscle stimulation, strong movementShutterstock

According to Harvard Health, squats “may be the most important exercise you do.” A study published in 2017 in Annals of Internal Medicine found a direct correlation between time spent sitting and a higher risk of early death. One of the best exercises to counteract the damage of sitting for excessive periods of time? Squating.

💪🔥Body Booster: Adding squats to your routine can make a huge difference. Try doing three sets of 10 during every workout session to build your booty. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 20 Superfoods for People Over 50.

Fitness & Workouts

Fitness Coach Shares 4 Exercises That Blast Lower Body Weight Fast

Trish_Koeslag_liftwithtrish22
Copyright liftwithtrish/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothNov 17, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
✓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 fat in your belly and lower body area? While there aren’t exercises that can totally spot reduce lower body fat, there are some that can help. Trish Koeslag is a women’s nutrition and fitness coach whose mission is to help women over 40 simplify macros and movement in order to lose weight. In a new social media post, she reveals the moves she does to blast lower body weight. “4 exercises you need to start today,” she writes in the caption.

Exercises Cannot Spot Reduce

Trish starts the post with a disclaimer. “There are no specific exercises that can spot reduce. Just like there are no specific foods that will help you lose fat. But….there are exercises that can definitely point you in the right direction!” she writes.

She Recommends Specific Exercises

However, she has found some exercises that are more effective than others. “These are movements that I have found work very, very well for me. It’s so important to incorporate movements you enjoy, that work well for you and your body, and don’t interfere with any movement limitations you may have,” she writes.

RELATED: She Lost 9 Pounds in 4 Weeks With This Simple 1,600 Calorie Meal Plan

They “Target Major Muscle Groups”

Why do they work? “The four moves below are effective because they target major muscle groups in the lower body, helping build lean muscle and increase overall metabolism, and will give you a leg up on getting burning!” she says. Here they are:

Romanian Deadlift

The first exercise is a Romanian Deadlift (RDL). She explains that you make the move “with a barbell, dumbbell, on a reverse hack squat machine, etc.… Any variation is good,” she says. “This move focuses on hamstrings and glutes, helping build strength and tone the back of the legs.”

Squats

The next exercise? Squats. “High bar, low bar, heels elevated, dumbbell, barbell, etc..all variations are great,” she says. “They may hit differently, but the point here is to squat,” she adds. “This move engages multiple muscles in the legs, core, and glutes.”

RELATED: She Lost 110 Pounds in 2 Years By Walking 30 Minutes Every Day

Reverse Lunges

Next on her list? Reverse Lunges, “regular, deficit, alternating, etc., they’re all great,” she says. “This exercise activates the glutes, hamstrings, and quads, promoting muscle balance and stability while targeting the lower body.”

Hip Thrust

The last exercise she recommends to burn lower body fat is the hip thrust. “With a barbell, on the smith machine, on a glute drive, etc, the thrust is a must,” she says. “This primarily hits the glutes, helping to shape and strengthen them.”

She Also Walks 10,000 Steps

In another post, she stresses the importance of walking. “I walk 10K+ steps. There are far too many benefits not to walk. And yes, even on my rest days….when did rest days turn into a days of zero movement??? That’s beyond unreasonable. Get up and move,” she maintains.

RELATED: A Trainer Finally Reveals the Only 10 Things You Need for Weight Loss

And, She Hydrates

And, especially for those who are exercising regularly, hydration is a must. “I drink 4L of water every day (with electrolytes). Yes, pure water - my 4L does not include coffee, tea, Diet Coke, etc. I love water and what it does for my digestion, hair, skin, and nails. I fill up my water bottle at night so that it’s ready to go the next day; hence…zero excuses not to drink it,” she explains. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 31 Fitness Tips Every Beginner Needs to Look Sexy, According to Coaches.

Nutrition & Diet

15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days

Beautiful woman checking her body shape in a mirror.
15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days
Shutterstock
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓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.

Depending on your starting weight, losing five to 10 pounds in a month is possible to do in a healthy way. Making a few specific lifestyle and dietary changes and sticking to them will positively impact overall health as well as encourage weight loss. “The foundation of successful weight loss remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.” Here are 15 daily habits shown to help lose up to ten pounds in 30 days.

Eliminate Empty Calories

People clinking glasses with wine on the summer terrace of cafe or restaurantShutterstock

Alcohol is full of empty calories, so it’s best to cut down or simply stop drinking it altogether. Every calorie counts when you’re trying to lose weight, so make sure you use those calories to fill your body with healthy, nutrient-dense choices. Drinking too much also disrupts sleep.

Are You Actually Hungry?

Man eats, eating​What To Do InsteadShutterstock

Eat when you’re hungry, and only when you’re hungry. “Listening to your hunger works much better than relying on willpower,” Kayla Kopp, RD, LD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “When you’re tempted to overeat, have a conversation with yourself: Are you feeling hungry, are you bored or are you feeling emotional? Will eating right now get you closer to your goal?”

Work Out First Thing

Close up woman hand doing push ups exercise in a gym in morning, sunlight effect.​Progress to Full Push-upsShutterstock

Working out first thing in the morning means you don’t have to make time for it later. It also starts the day off on a good note. No excuses!

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Healthy,Breakfast,Toast,Avocado,SmashShutterstock

Studies show people who eat breakfast (provided it’s a healthy one) make better food choices for the rest of the day. "Studies have found that although people who skip breakfast eat slightly fewer calories during the day, they tend to have higher body mass index, or BMI," Christy C. Tangney, PhD, tells Rush University Medical Center.

Take the Stairs

Determined woman running up on seaside mountain stairs​Regular ExerciseShutterstock

Walk as much as possible—park away from the grocery store entrance and take the stairs when possible. Walking will encourage fat burning and mental wellness, and you can do it throughout the day, no equipment needed.

Count Your Calories

Calories Nutrition Food Exercise ConceptShutterstock

This one is boring but crucial—to lose weight, you need to take in less calories than you’re burning off. “For example, to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week — a rate that experts consider safe — your food consumption should provide 500 to 1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories,” says Harvard Health.

Try Intermittent Fasting

Skip breakfast concept with no symbol and clock on plate, Intermittent FastingShutterstock

Intermittent fasting can be a powerful weight loss tool for some. “The weight loss effects of time-restricted eating derive primarily from achieving a negative energy balance,” Richard Joseph, MD, tells Harvard Health. “If you maintain your regular diet and then limit the time window during which you eat, it is likely that you will eat a few hundred fewer calories per day.”

No Nighttime Snacking

woman eats sweets at night to sneak in a refrigerator. Fridge​Breaking Free from Food ObsessionShutterstock

Snacking can undermine your healthy eating weight loss plan. “Try to eat most of your daily calories before sitting down to relax for the night,” Kopp tells the Cleveland Clinic. “Many of us have a tendency to overeat without thinking about it while we watch TV after dinner, and we tend to forget just how much we’ve had before calling it a night.”

Be Picky About Carbs

Healthy Food: Best Sources of Carbs on a wooden table. Top viewTop 5 Clean Carbs for Your BodyShutterstock

You don’t have to eliminate carbs—but be choosy about them. “Not all carbohydrates are created equal,” says Corewell Health. “Eating a slice of white bread won’t give your body the same nutrition as eating a slice of whole grain bread. When you’re looking for options for carbohydrates, look at the ingredients. If the first ingredient is a whole grain (like whole wheat), you’re going in the right direction.”

Eliminate Temptation

Fast food concept. Unhealthy food. Unhealthy food and fast food with donuts, chocolate, burgers and sweets top view​Hopping “On and Off” the WagonShutterstock

Keep junk food out of sight and out of mind. “Don’t keep problem foods around the house and/or at work,” says UC Davis Health. A problem food is a food that you are likely to eat too much of or too often if readily available.”

Get Enough Sleep

Top View Home: Handsome Young Man Sleeps in His Bed in a Stylish Bedroom, Sun Shines on Him. Morning Concept. Peaceful Sleeping and Relaxation, Important for Wellness . Top Down Above ShotShutterstock

Sleep is important for weight loss. “No one can make mindful food choices when they’re tired. Even missing an hour of sleep can increase your appetite because your body is craving that energy and food is fuel for your body,” psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “You need a clear, focused head to make healthier food choices.”

Lift Weights

,Bodybuilder,Training,Gym:,Chest,-,Barbell, bench, press, weights, gym,exerciseShutterstock

“Resistance training can also be a really effective way of losing weight," Tessa Strain, physical activity epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, tells The Telegraph. “All weight loss comes down to a calories in/calories out equation. resistance training is a really effective way of losing weight because you’re expending energy, which involves burning calories.”

Manage Stress

woman sitting down, his face unsettled. At the computer desk she has headaches and stress. Cause of hard work and insufficient rest.​Stress Leads to Belly FatShutterstock

Stress can undermine your weight loss efforts. “More commonly, people turn to — or away from — food as a way to help deal with stress,” says Penn Medicine. “Your metabolism can change if you regularly eat large amounts of food or don’t eat enough or at all.”

No Junk Food

,Coffee,Drive,Thru,Counter.Drive,Through,fast,food,junk,burger,friesShutterstock

Ultra-processed foods are terrible for weight loss. Not only will they not fill you up, they could make you hungrier. “Processed and fast foods contain enhanced ingredients that hit the dopamine center in your brain and make you want more,” Dr. Albers tells the Cleveland Clinic. “They are designed to be addictive to the brain.”

Drink More Water

Fitness woman drinking water from bottle. Muscular young female taking a break from workout outside.​HydrateShutterstock

Choose water over high-calorie drinks. “Sometimes we respond to thirst signals by eating — when actually what our bodies want is water,” Dr. Albers explains. “It’s easy to confuse our thirst and hunger signals, or to override thirst signals.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Focusing on long-term health and wellness will make weight loss easier.

Fitness & Workouts

The Simple Walking Routine That Helped Me Lose 40 Pounds

Alexandra_alexx.fitt
This Woman Lost 40 Pounds After Quitting These 5 Common Habits Forever
alexxandra.fitt/Instagram
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓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.

Can you lose a significant amount of weight just by walking every day? Yes, absolutely! Not only does walking burn fat, help lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels, but it also does wonders for your mental state as well. “You need to make it part of your routine,” exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. tells Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. “This is about adjusting your lifestyle for your health.” TikTok influencer Alex ( @alex.fitt) lost 40 pounds just by walking—here’s how she did it.

Don’t Start Big

@alexx.fitt Step by step walk it off #walking #weightloss ♬ original sound - alexx.fitt

Alex makes the important point that it’s better to start off slow to build sustainable habits. You don’t have to kickstart your fitness regimen with two-hour walks. Even just half an hour will make a difference to your mood and your health, and encourage you to do it again the next day.

Walking After Meals

Alex says she started off her walking program by simply taking a 15 minute walk after a big meal. Research shows walking after meals can benefit blood sugar. “Exercise impacts your blood sugar quickly, often within a few minutes,” Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, CDCES, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “And over time, physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively, decreasing the insulin resistance we often see in diabetes.”

Walking In the Morning

Alex would start her day with a walk. “Getting outside gives you a chance to enjoy fresh air and nature,” says Henry Ford Health. “Walking, like any form of exercise, reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll start the day with a positive attitude, better able to manage challenges during the day.”

Long Walk After Dinner

Alex would save her long walk for after dinner, which studies show is very beneficial. “The closer we get to the evening, the less efficient our bodies are at using insulin to deal with blood glucose, making it harder to keep blood glucose levels healthy,” Dr Evelyn Parr from the Australian Catholic University’s Exercise and Nutrition Research Program tells the Sydney Morning Herald. “Yet this is when we have our biggest meal of the day.”

Smaller Waist

Alex says the biggest difference she noticed from walking was in her waist. “The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For example, you may start out as an average walker, and then work your way up to walking faster and walking a mile in a shorter amount of time than an average walker, similar to power walkers.”

Using Technology

Alex was thrilled the first time her watch buzzed when she hit 10k steps. Research shows people who track their fitness tend to be successful. “We’ve seen this rise of digital health tools in the last decade, and they provide a great way for people to access interventions to better their health,” Michele Patel, PhD, tells Stanford Medicine.

10,000 Steps a Day

No matter how long or short her walks, Alex always aims for 10,000 steps every day. “Evidence suggests that accumulating up to 10,000 steps per day is helpful for reducing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer,” John M. Jakicic, Ph.D, tells University of Kansas Medical Center. “And more recent evidence supports the benefits of reducing the risk of dementia.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Start slow and steady to build lasting habits. Even 10 minutes will make a difference.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These Popular Foods

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
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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.

Denise Hamdan (@denisehamdan) is a food and fitness influencer on TikTok who regularly shares her tricks and tips on weight loss with her 71,000 followers. Hamdan lost a whopping 30 pounds by following a healthy diet and exercising. In a recent clip, she reveals her diet. “Hey y'all, here's everything I ate in one day to stay lean as someone who lost 30 pounds,” she says, revealing that she eats 1829 calories and 147 g of protein per day. Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, also weighs in.

Breakfast

“I started my morning with my breakfast cocktail of oxygen and creatine. I just added the products to my showcase. So go check them out. I have my cocktail with Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of granola,” she says. The total calories equal 157 and 14 g protein.

Lunch

“I'm in this phase where I eat nearly the same thing every day, and that's been scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and some turkey bacon on the side,” she says about her lunch. “And honestly, I'm not complaining because it hits every time. Her total calories are 562 and 52 g protein.

Green Smoothie

Sometimes she will have a smoothie instead. “I made a cute little green smoothie and it was a little messy, but it was good regardless,” she says.

Pre-Workout Snack

“Later, for a pre-workout snack, I made some cute little tuna crackers with the green onion and bell pepper,” she says about the snack totaling 430 calories and 28 g protein.

OxyShred and Pre-Workout

“Then I got to the gym and made my OxyShred and pre-workout combo before hitting cardio and abs,” she continued. “It had me sweating.”

Protein Bar

“Right after my workout I had my favorite dark chocolate pretzel protein bar,” she continued.

Dinner

“And finally for dinner I made this super easy teriyaki chicken bowl over brown rice,” she said, adding that the 560 calorie and 52 gram protein meal is “so delicious and the macros forward are amazing.”

Dessert

“Lastly, for dessert, I had some chocolate 'cause I cannot end the day without a little sweet treat,” she said about the 120 calorie sweet treat.

RDN Weighs in

tara collingwoodI'm a Nutritionist and These 9 High-Protein Snacks Keep My Clients Full While Losing 50 Pounds

Copyright Tara Collingwood

“1800-1900 calories seems like a good amount for her, but I don’t know her exact age, height, weight, or exercise level,” says Collingwood. “147 grams of protein is probably more than she needs, but it is not dangerously high.”

Try Eating More Vegetables, Expert Says

“I see a little bit of fruit on the yogurt and a tiny bit of spinach in eggs and peppers in tuna but overall not much veggie intake (green smoothie was green powder and not real whole veggies) which is proven with only 16 grams of fiber for her overall day,” Collingwood continues. “I would recommend increasing veggies to aim for 25 grams of fiber each day.” She also likes how often she is eating with the meals and snacks in between. “I do worry about the OxyShred. I couldn’t find on their website anywhere exactly how much caffeine is in it and having it later in the day could definitely impact sleep since caffeine has a 5 hour half-life,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: How much protein should you consume per day? Aim for 0.8 to one gram per pound of bodyweight. 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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