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Massy Arias Shows Off Her Washboard Abs and Shares Her Best Stretch for Your Lower Back

Here is everything you need to know about her diet and fitness habits.

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.

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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.

Massy Arias is flashing her washboard abs during a stretching session. In a new social media post, the celebrity trainer and influencer, whose client list includes Gabrielle Union-Wade and Chris Hemsworth, shows off her amazing midsection while stretching. “Good morning, tribe,” she writes in the caption of the Instagram clip. Here is everything you need to know about her stretching method and all of her other diet and fitness habits.


Stretching Helps “Decompression” Post-Workout

“I’ve been sitting a lot lately so after my workout I decided to mobilize my spine before I sit again. This one stretch I find to be one of the best selections lately to really get some decompression after my workouts. I did a few rounds of it and got immediate relief. Try it out and add it to your arsenal of movements specially when you feel super tight and in need to be your own chiro!” she explains in the caption. Why should you stretch? “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” says Harvard Health. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Exercise Helped Her with Depression

Massy_Arias2massy.arias/Instagram

Massy used to be super skinny – and depressed. After trying everything from herbal to cognitive therapy, she discovered exercise. “Fitness saved my life,” she told Muscle & Fitness. She started with the elliptical machine and then bodybuilding. “That first pushup felt great!” she revealed.

RELATED: The Real Reason You Can't Lose Weight (From Someone Who Lost 100 Pounds)

Strength Training, Yoga, and HIIT

Massy_Arias1massy.arias/Instagram

Massy’s training style is a unique mix of resistance training, calisthenics, yoga, and HIIT. 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

Self-Love

Massy_Arias5massy.arias/Instagram

“I honestly think if you're not happy with who you are and you're always trying to fit into something that, structurally, you're never going to be, then you're never going to be happy. It took me a little bit just to understand I have to love the body that I'm in because it's still beautiful. I also have to understand that women come in different shapes and body types. I've used exercise to help me feel more confident inside and out, to help me build the areas that I can actually enhance so that I can feel more comfortable,” Massy tells Elle.

RELATED: How to Lose 26 Pounds Without Taking Weight Loss Pills According to Coach

Smoothies

In an Instagram video Arias explained that she satisfies her sweet tooth while treating her body to a healthy dose of nutrition. “Instead of falling for the sugary drinks with no nutritional value, let me show you how to make smoothies that cut your cravings, help build 💪🏽, and are actually good for your overall health,” she writes in the caption. Her smoothie is “loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and protein,” and “It tastes incredible and you can treat them as a meal, a snack, or your post workout fuel,” she maintains. She adds that it helps keep you “focused with sustained energy throughout the day” and will help you “feel satiated, but not bloated.”

Massy Arias’ Smoothie Recipe

  • 1/2 cup 100% pumpkin puree
  • 1 Banana, frozen
  • 1/4 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 6 Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins (optional)
  • 2 tbsp Pecans
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Cream protein @tru_supplements
  • About 1 cup of ice
  • 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Totals:

  • Calories: 484
  • Protein: 28.5g
  • Fiber: 9.1
  • Fat: 15.5
  • Carbs: 54

💪🔥Body Booster: Don’t ever forget to stretch before and after exercise, as it will help protect your body from injury.

More For You

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.

Massy Arias is flashing her washboard abs during a stretching session. In a new social media post, the celebrity trainer and influencer, whose client list includes Gabrielle Union-Wade and Chris Hemsworth, shows off her amazing midsection while stretching. “Good morning, tribe,” she writes in the caption of the Instagram clip. Here is everything you need to know about her stretching method and all of her other diet and fitness habits.


Stretching Helps “Decompression” Post-Workout

“I’ve been sitting a lot lately so after my workout I decided to mobilize my spine before I sit again. This one stretch I find to be one of the best selections lately to really get some decompression after my workouts. I did a few rounds of it and got immediate relief. Try it out and add it to your arsenal of movements specially when you feel super tight and in need to be your own chiro!” she explains in the caption. Why should you stretch? “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” says Harvard Health. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Exercise Helped Her with Depression

Massy_Arias2massy.arias/Instagram

Massy used to be super skinny – and depressed. After trying everything from herbal to cognitive therapy, she discovered exercise. “Fitness saved my life,” she told Muscle & Fitness. She started with the elliptical machine and then bodybuilding. “That first pushup felt great!” she revealed.

RELATED: The Real Reason You Can't Lose Weight (From Someone Who Lost 100 Pounds)

Strength Training, Yoga, and HIIT

Massy_Arias1massy.arias/Instagram

Massy’s training style is a unique mix of resistance training, calisthenics, yoga, and HIIT. 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

Self-Love

Massy_Arias5massy.arias/Instagram

“I honestly think if you're not happy with who you are and you're always trying to fit into something that, structurally, you're never going to be, then you're never going to be happy. It took me a little bit just to understand I have to love the body that I'm in because it's still beautiful. I also have to understand that women come in different shapes and body types. I've used exercise to help me feel more confident inside and out, to help me build the areas that I can actually enhance so that I can feel more comfortable,” Massy tells Elle.

RELATED: How to Lose 26 Pounds Without Taking Weight Loss Pills According to Coach

Smoothies

In an Instagram video Arias explained that she satisfies her sweet tooth while treating her body to a healthy dose of nutrition. “Instead of falling for the sugary drinks with no nutritional value, let me show you how to make smoothies that cut your cravings, help build 💪🏽, and are actually good for your overall health,” she writes in the caption. Her smoothie is “loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and protein,” and “It tastes incredible and you can treat them as a meal, a snack, or your post workout fuel,” she maintains. She adds that it helps keep you “focused with sustained energy throughout the day” and will help you “feel satiated, but not bloated.”

Massy Arias’ Smoothie Recipe

  • 1/2 cup 100% pumpkin puree
  • 1 Banana, frozen
  • 1/4 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 6 Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins (optional)
  • 2 tbsp Pecans
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Cream protein @tru_supplements
  • About 1 cup of ice
  • 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Totals:

  • Calories: 484
  • Protein: 28.5g
  • Fiber: 9.1
  • Fat: 15.5
  • Carbs: 54

💪🔥Body Booster: Don’t ever forget to stretch before and after exercise, as it will help protect your body from injury.

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.

Alex Rice is on fire in her latest workout video. In a new social media post the certified personal trainer and fitness influencer, who boasts over 1.1 million Instagram followers, shows off her enviable figure – including her rock hard abs – in a sports bra and leggings while executing an upper body workout. “You go girl! Hit those spicy spots. Keep rocking it! 🔥” commented Alexia Clark. “Those chest press dumbbells are as big as you are!! 😍” added Olivia Ostrom. Here is everything you need to know about her routine and all of her other health and fitness habits.


She Warms Up

“Let’s warm up for leg day 🔥 your body will thank you!!” she captioned a post. “Most people know they should warm up, but don’t always know where to begin! I got youuu 🫡 you don’t have to do this exact routine, but I’m hoping it will give you some ideas for your warm up. She explained that her “warm up is usually circuit style” and that she does 2 to 3 rounds “about 10 reps each side.”

Related: I’m a Dietitian and I Lost 100 Pounds With These Delicious Foods

She Eats Overnight Oats

Alex recently shared her recipe for peanut butter and jelly overnight oats.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Old fashioned Oats
  • 1/2 Milk of choice (I start with a 1/2 cup and add more if/when needed)
  • 1 scoop @youcanbeam vanilla soft serve protein powder
  • 1 tablespoon Chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1 tablespoon PB
  • 1 tablespoon your choice of jelly
  • Topping: chopped strawberries

Directions:

  • Add milk, chia seeds, honey and stir to combine
  • Stir in your protein powder and oats
  • Add your PB& J and swirl it in (don’t mix it in completely- the goal is to have swirls of pb&j throughout)
  • Store in fridge in an air right container overnight or at least 3 hours
  • Add your toppings when you’re ready to eat 🍓

She Isn’t Afraid of “Putting on too Much Muscle”

Alex is not afraid of “putting on too much muscle” by lifting weights. “Workout however you want to, I stand by that!!! But to answer your question, no I’m not worried about putting on too much muscle, thank you! Plus, I wish putting on muscle was that easy,” she says in a post.

She Started Her Journey with “Cardio and Abs”

Alex recommends starting small before working your way up to heavy weights. “I feel my strongest when I’m lowering my barbell to the ground or holding 45lb plates in each hand 😅but I did start at the gym doing cardio and abs. Eventually made my way to lifting and never looked back!!” she captioned a post.

Related: Benchmark Your Progress with Our Lean Body Mass Calculator

She Doesn’t Rush Through Her Workouts

Alex recommends taking your time when working out. “Take your workouts to the next level 😮‍💨 It’s easy to rush through a workout, but keep things controlled! Don’t let yourself go on autopilot when you’re lifting. Focus on that mind to muscle connection!” she wrote in a post, adding that you should not give up and instead, “push for that extra 1 or 2 reps,” and “do the exercises that are hard for you. It’s ok to fail, but how will you progress if you don’t keep trying!” she says.

Related: #1 Trick to Feel Full, Energized and Satisfied While Eating Food You Love, According to Nutritionist

Here Is Her Upper Body Workout

In her recent post, Alex shares an upper body workout. “We’re focusing on boulder shoulders, chest, and triceps! You can do this one at the gym or at home, let’s gooooo,” she writes in the caption.

FULL WORKOUT:

  • 1a. Push Ups 4 sets | 10-12 reps *last set to failure*
  • 2a. DB Seated Shoulder Press 3 sets | 6-8 reps
  • 3a. Alt. Chest Press 3 sets | 8-10 (each) reps
  • 4a. OH single arm Tricep Extensions 3 sets | 10-12 reps

FINISHER:

  • 5a. Plate Twists 3 sets | 30 sec
  • 5b. ISO Hold Shoulder Press 3 sets | 30 sec

💪🔥Body Booster: Don’t race through your workouts. Going slow and focusing on form can be just as effective – if not more – than going at a faster pace.

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 a six-pack but feel like you are too old? According to one expert, you can achieve a perfect midsection at any age. Adelina Jordan is a 52-year-old fitness trainer and coach whose mission is “proving age is just a number,” according to her Instagram bio. In a new post, she reveals the handful of exercises that are responsible for her six-pack abs and the healthy habits that enable her to achieve them. “Six-pack abs in your fifties? Totally possible with the right plan. Here’s what worked for me,” she writes in the post.


She Trains Abs 2 to 3 Times a Week

“I train Abs like any other muscle,” she writes. She reveals that she reserves two to three days a week to do ab work. “Remember … it takes consistency with workouts and nutrition and lots of time & patience,” she writes.

RELATED: Top Coach Reveals 3 Best Back Exercises You Can Do at Home

Here Are the Exercises She Does

“Here is an example of the workout I do to maintain my 6-pack abs in my 50s,” she continues, revealing the five exercise sets.

  • SL crunches
  • weighted sit-ups
  • Russian twist
  • weighted toe taps
  • double crunch.

She Also Pays Attention to Her Diet

She then goes on to discuss key tips to remember for 6-pack abs, starting with diet. “Dial in your nutrition,” she writes. “Protein-packed meals, a slight calorie deficit, and staying consistent.” According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW) but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.

RELATED: Woman Lost 11 Pounds in 90 Days With These 5 Simple Rules

And, She Lifts Weights

Next, she recommends weight lifting. “Strength training is a must,” she says. “Focus on compound lifts that engage your core and help burn fat.” 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.

She Uses Resistance

Another important tactic? “Train your abs with resistance,” she suggests, “Adding light weights, cables, or bands takes your core training to the next level—think strength and definition.”

She Does Cardio

Don’t forget to do cardio. “Steady-state cardio after lifting works wonders for revealing your hard-earned progress,” she says.

RELATED: She Lost 15 Pounds in Her 40s After Fixing These 3 Mistakes

And, She Is Patient

Lastly, six-pack abs don't happen overnight. “Patience is key: Progress takes time, but trust me—it’s worth it! If I can do it, so can you. Let’s make it happen!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 3 Simple Stretches Made This Coach More Flexible in 2 Weeks.

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.

Beca Michie (@becamichie) is a model and fitness influencer who shares about everything from makeup tutorials to diet and fitness tips. In one of their many viral videos they showed off their tiny waistline and flat abs in their workout clothes, revealing the ab workout that keeps their midsection small. “Hi beautiful human beings. It's snowing outside today, so I'm going to show you guys my at-home routine,” the influencer says. The Body Network also consulted Kendra Gamble, HIT Fitness Training, Huntingdon Valley, PA, NPTI Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritional Consultant to weigh in the workout.


Planks

@becamichie

Replying to @essencewanderingspirit 🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️my updated quick home ab workout routine!🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️ #abworkouts #abroutine #modelworkout #workoutroutine

Their routine starts with a 60-second plank. “Make sure your butt is down, your back is straight, and your core is tight,” she says. She follows that up with side planks, doing 60 seconds on each side. “I don’t recommend the average person to do a minute plank and then a minute each of side planks back to back,” says Gamble. “That’s something that needs to be worked up to because planks are difficult.”

Toe Taps, Crunches, Cherry Pickers

,Athletic,Asian,Woman,Abs,Crunches,exercise,workout,homeShutterstock

Next, they do 20 toe taps. “That’s how you get the upper abs,” they tell their followers. Next up, 10 “slow” shoulder taps. They then do 20 reach-between crunches, “another 10 shoulder taps,” 40 cherry pickers, and “another 10 shoulder taps.” They add: “I just make sure I do three sets during the whole routine, but you can put them in or incorporate them at any point.” In case you have never heard of cherry pickers, Gamble maintains they are the same thing as Russian twists.

Related: Want to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat Once For All? Stop Making These Common Mistakes

Spider Walks

Beca_Michie_becamichie5becamichie/TikTok

Their workout isn’t done yet. Spider walks are next. “Try to do 20 on each side for spiders. You're just trying to get your feet next to your hands. These are really effective. Oh my God,” they exclaim. Gamble points out that these are “more of a full body stretch and less of a core workout.”

Mermaids, AKA Side Crunches

Beca_Michie_becamichie6becamichie/TikTok

Their last exercise is a Pilates-inspired move, mermaids. “These ones you guys know are my favorites. This is how you get the two abs in the lower stomach that are really, really hard to get,” they say. (Mermaids are actually just side crunches, says Gamble.

Related: I Lost 40 Pounds Eating Rice, and Here Is How You Can Too

An Expert Says: This Is Not a Beginners Workout!

Beca_Michie_becamichie7becamichie/Instagram

“Overall I think this is a decent at home core routine that you can do if you don’t have time or access to the gym, but I think the volume is a bit much especially for a beginner.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Be careful before trying a workout that you find online, especially if you are a beginner. Attempting workouts outside of your fitness level could result in injury.

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.

Workouts don’t have to be complicated to be effective, and they don’t have to be long. Brianna Joye is a fitness trainer and the founder of City Girls Who Walk, who has a following of over 1.1 million people on Instagram. She is famous for sharing her realistic workouts that help people get into shape fast. One of her recent videos promises a full upper body and torso workout in just a few exercises. “3 moves to sculpt your arms & waistline,” she writes in the video, adding in the caption that her “fav exercises” will help you get a “strong core.” Here is what you need to know about the workout – and everything else about Brianna’s approach to fitness and diet.


3 Moves to Shape Your Arms and Waistline

She suggests doing three rounds of the exercises.

  • Plank pull through x 12
  • Wood chopper x 12 (Don’t forget to do the other side, she reminds)
  • Russian twist x 12

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

briannajoye_fitness-1briannajoye_fitness/TikTok

Brianna reveals what she eats in a day in a TikTok video. For breakfast, she eats sliced bananas and a spoonful of peanut butter. Next up a snack of greek yogurt, walnuts, honey and berries, followed up by a Koia protein shake. For lunch she has a spicy chicken caesar lettuce wrap, and dinner, a harvest bowl with sliced chicken, broccoli, sweet potato, and avocado topped with hot honey. And dessert? A donut!

Related: Can't Lose Weight Despite Eating Less? This Could Be Why

She Goes Running

Rear view of young woman walking on treadmillShutterstock

Brianna runs on the treadmill. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.

She Drinks This “Debloating” Green Juice

briannajoye_fitness-2briannajoye_fitness/Instagram

In an Instagram video Brianna revealed her recipe for a “debloating” green drink. The “best green juice recipe” starts with a cup of pineapple. “We're doing two lemons, just a couple pieces of ginger, a couple pieces of celery, and one whole cucumber. We're just going to put it all in one handful of organic spinach, and then we are using some coconut water (“for some added electrolytes”) but you can also use water. Then, you blend the mixture. “Once it's blended, you're just going to pour it into a bowl, and then you want a strainer on top of it. I'm just using a cheesecloth. Then you're just going to lift, so all the pulp gets out of it and we're just going to squeeze,” she says.

Related: 6 Important Things You Should Consider Before Getting Breast Augmentation

She Makes Healthier Versions of Her Favorite Meals

briannajoye_fitness-3briannajoye_fitness/Instagram

Another habit of Brianna’s is making healthier versions of her favorite foods. For example, she has shared recipes for “healthier hot Cheetos,” pasta chips, and Big Mac low-carb, high protein taco burgers.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you don’t have a lot of time to invest in exercise, try doing mini workouts – like Brianna’s – a few times a day.

Beautiful woman checking her body shape in a mirror.
15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days
Shutterstock
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.

Alexandra_alexx.fitt
This Woman Lost 40 Pounds After Quitting These 5 Common Habits Forever
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Evidence-Based

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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.

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
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