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Meggan Grubb Just Shared Awesome “Leg Day” Workout

Here is everything you need to know about her workout and other lifestyle habits.

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Meggan Grubb, aka Megan Kirkland, is a fitness influencer, trainer, and the founder of Beyond, a fitness and lifestyle app. In a new social media post, she reveals the workout responsible for her strong and fit legs. “A new new leg day you need to try,” she captioned the post. “Phase 2 of my programme I’m currently following begins so we have a whole bunch of brand new moves for the first time in 4 weeks and it feels SO good to hit some newness. Don’t get me wrong, doing similar exercises week on week is super key to seeing progress, but when the new phase of new moves begins in my workout programmes it always feels so fresh.” The Body Network has all the details about her new workout and the other lifestyle habits responsible for her body.


Her Fitness Community Combines Mental and Physical Health

Meggan started Beyond to fill a void in the online fitness community. There was not “a fitness app out there that has its main focus on your mental wellbeing,” she told Closer. “I wanted to create a safe space where we did care about your well being. We have a function where you can turn calories on or off too - in case that is triggering. There's not a lot of pressure on Beyond, it's very friendly and warm,” she continued. “I write all the life-affirming notifications myself, that idea actually came from lockdown when a lot of people were feeling quite lonely. That little message could be the only message they get from someone all day and I wanted to bring them a little bit of happiness.”

She Does Two Lower Body, Two Upper Body Days, and One of Cardio and Abs

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland4meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan follows her own plans on Beyond. “I do two lower-body days, then two upper-body days, which I split into push and pull. The fifth day is usually my day where I can experiment and do a bit of cardio or abs. I might also do a circuit. It's really just a full-body do what I fancy day, but not lifting super heavy,” she told Closer.

Related: #1 Trick to Stop Binge Eating

Morning Walks

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland3meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan walks in the morning. “I go out first thing with my fiance and go for a dog walk. We've noticed such a difference in our headspace because we both work from home, we have that time to really connect first thing in the morning,” she told the publication. “I feel like it has actually made me much happier and less stressed. He told me something about light exposure and how it can really help you mentally. We have genuinely noticed such a difference in our productivity.”

Morning Workouts

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland5meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan likes to get her workouts done in the morning. “I also train quite early in the mornings, too. I really feel the endorphins and energy from a session first thing. It's time to put your headphones in and forget about everything else and just work on yourself,” she said.

Protein Breakfast

Milk and honey on the wooden table closeupShutterstock

Meggan meal preps protein-packed breakfasts. “I make honey oats the night before, so in the morning, they're just there ready for me to eat,” she told Closer. “I've never really been into supplements, the only thing I go in and out of using is a protein powder with my morning oats. I don't actually take protein shakes or anything like that because I am quite good at being aware that it's in the food I make. I don't personally use pre-workout that much because I have got a bit of a dodgy heart.”

Other Food She Loves

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland6meggangrubb/Instagram

Her favorite healthy snack? “It's a bit boring, but I love Kallo Chocolate Rice Cakes. Some rice cakes are dry and horrible, but they're really good,” she says. She also always keeps cheese in her refrigerator. “Cheese, I love parmesan on pasta,” she said.

Related: I’m a Dietitian and Here’s #1 Trick That Helped Me to Lose 100 Pounds

Her Leg Workout

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland1meggangrubb/Instagram

Here is Meggan's latest leg workout:

  • Barbell landmine squats - 10 reps 4 sets
  • Barbell bulgarians - 8 per side 3 sets
  • Narrow stance squats - 20 reps 3 sets
  • Static lunges - 7 per side 3 sets
  • Leg extension - dropset: 6 reps, 8 reps, 10 reps. 3 dropsets

💪🔥Body Booster: Meal prepping is a great way to ensure healthy eating. Overnight oats can be made in moments and help ensure you get a protein-packed breakfast on the go.

More For You

Meggan Grubb, aka Megan Kirkland, is a fitness influencer, trainer, and the founder of Beyond, a fitness and lifestyle app. In a new social media post, she reveals the workout responsible for her strong and fit legs. “A new new leg day you need to try,” she captioned the post. “Phase 2 of my programme I’m currently following begins so we have a whole bunch of brand new moves for the first time in 4 weeks and it feels SO good to hit some newness. Don’t get me wrong, doing similar exercises week on week is super key to seeing progress, but when the new phase of new moves begins in my workout programmes it always feels so fresh.” The Body Network has all the details about her new workout and the other lifestyle habits responsible for her body.


Her Fitness Community Combines Mental and Physical Health

Meggan started Beyond to fill a void in the online fitness community. There was not “a fitness app out there that has its main focus on your mental wellbeing,” she told Closer. “I wanted to create a safe space where we did care about your well being. We have a function where you can turn calories on or off too - in case that is triggering. There's not a lot of pressure on Beyond, it's very friendly and warm,” she continued. “I write all the life-affirming notifications myself, that idea actually came from lockdown when a lot of people were feeling quite lonely. That little message could be the only message they get from someone all day and I wanted to bring them a little bit of happiness.”

She Does Two Lower Body, Two Upper Body Days, and One of Cardio and Abs

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland4meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan follows her own plans on Beyond. “I do two lower-body days, then two upper-body days, which I split into push and pull. The fifth day is usually my day where I can experiment and do a bit of cardio or abs. I might also do a circuit. It's really just a full-body do what I fancy day, but not lifting super heavy,” she told Closer.

Related: #1 Trick to Stop Binge Eating

Morning Walks

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland3meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan walks in the morning. “I go out first thing with my fiance and go for a dog walk. We've noticed such a difference in our headspace because we both work from home, we have that time to really connect first thing in the morning,” she told the publication. “I feel like it has actually made me much happier and less stressed. He told me something about light exposure and how it can really help you mentally. We have genuinely noticed such a difference in our productivity.”

Morning Workouts

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland5meggangrubb/Instagram

Meggan likes to get her workouts done in the morning. “I also train quite early in the mornings, too. I really feel the endorphins and energy from a session first thing. It's time to put your headphones in and forget about everything else and just work on yourself,” she said.

Protein Breakfast

Milk and honey on the wooden table closeupShutterstock

Meggan meal preps protein-packed breakfasts. “I make honey oats the night before, so in the morning, they're just there ready for me to eat,” she told Closer. “I've never really been into supplements, the only thing I go in and out of using is a protein powder with my morning oats. I don't actually take protein shakes or anything like that because I am quite good at being aware that it's in the food I make. I don't personally use pre-workout that much because I have got a bit of a dodgy heart.”

Other Food She Loves

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland6meggangrubb/Instagram

Her favorite healthy snack? “It's a bit boring, but I love Kallo Chocolate Rice Cakes. Some rice cakes are dry and horrible, but they're really good,” she says. She also always keeps cheese in her refrigerator. “Cheese, I love parmesan on pasta,” she said.

Related: I’m a Dietitian and Here’s #1 Trick That Helped Me to Lose 100 Pounds

Her Leg Workout

Meggan_Grubb_Megan_Kirkland1meggangrubb/Instagram

Here is Meggan's latest leg workout:

  • Barbell landmine squats - 10 reps 4 sets
  • Barbell bulgarians - 8 per side 3 sets
  • Narrow stance squats - 20 reps 3 sets
  • Static lunges - 7 per side 3 sets
  • Leg extension - dropset: 6 reps, 8 reps, 10 reps. 3 dropsets

💪🔥Body Booster: Meal prepping is a great way to ensure healthy eating. Overnight oats can be made in moments and help ensure you get a protein-packed breakfast on the go.

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.

Cass Martin is sharing the workout responsible for her legs. In a new social media post the fitness trainer and influencer shows off her amazing body – including her flat abs – in a crop top. “Here’s a great leg day routine!💗” she captioned the post. “Strong is sexy,” she captioned the post. “Fitness Queen,” added another. How does the exercise guru approach diet and fitness? The Body Network rounded up some of her healthy habits.


Leg Day Routine

Cass shared her leg day routine with her followers:

Pendulum Squats 4 X 10,8,8,6 Reps

Hip/Hack Sled Squat 3 X 10,8,8, Reps

Leg Extensions 4 X 12,12,10,8 Reps

BB RDLS 4 X 10,10,8,8 Reps

Lying Leg Curls 3 X 15,12,10 Reps

Related: Fastest Way to Lose 30 Pounds, According to a TikTok Influencer

She Mixes Training Styles

Cass_Martin3casssmartin/Instagram

“I have found the best results by incorporating a mixture of different training styles. My goal was always to build muscle and be lean, but once I started training, I realized I enjoyed pushing myself to lift heavy weights,” Cass told NOCCO. “I have used a method that is a traditional bodybuilding style mixed with powerlifting elements. I have always stuck to ‘old school’ movements such as T-Bar rows, squats, bent over rows, bench press, deadlifts, etc. I have always combined higher rep schemes for size with really low rep schemes for certain movements to build strength.”

She Loves Training Her Back

Cass has a favorite part of her body to exercise. “I love training back. Mostly because there are so many different exercises to hit while you are trying to grow a complete back look. One of my favorite exercises for back is T-bar rows. It is not an exercise you see too many people doing anymore but it is always something I try to hit while training. I also really love the flat bench press. It is just a fun way to lift and try to get strong at!” she said.

Recovery

Cass_Martin4casssmartin/Instagram

After a workout, Cass prioritizes recovery. “First thing is making sure I get a post meal in to help repair the muscle breakdown. This is where I always add in BCAAs and hydration to make sure I am using everything to help my body repair itself from the workout,” she said.

Related: Emily Skye Flashes 6-Pack in Skirt and Top – Here’s How She Ate Her Way to Flat Abs

Cheat Meals

Cass is a fan of the occasional cheat meal. “My favorite cheat meal right now is probably ice cream. I love Ben & Jerry’s! Hamburgers are also something I could eat every day. I probably have a pint of ice cream once a month, lol, but what I have learned is that it's better to have a little unhealthy snack to curve your cravings rather than going out and splurging on something large. At my house, I always keep mini-sized chocolates or candies around, so that when I feel like I need something sweet, it's a small controlled amount rather than a full size,” she told GoGirlMgz.

💪🔥Body Booster: Giving your body the tools to repair – including hydration and a post-workout meal – will help keep you from feeling depleted.

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.

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.

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 Pilates body without having to pay hundreds of dollars a month at a studio? Sadielee Thomas is famous for sharing her totally doable at-home workouts on social media. As part of her “10-Day Pilates-Inspired Foam Roller Challenge,” the influencer and NASM Certified Personal Trainer recently unveiled a 10-minute pilates-style workout that you can do in the comfort of your own home, without a reformer. “This Pilates Reformer inspired full body workout will leave your body shaking in just 10 minutes!” she writes in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about how to do the workout.


Pilates-Style Workout

For her “Full Body Strength,” she recommends 45 seconds on 15 seconds off for 5 rounds with 30 seconds of rest between rounds. Here is the workout, which she demonstrates in the clips.

  1. Kneeling quad stretch
  2. Static single-leg lunge with chest opener
  3. Side-lying leg swings
  4. Windshield wipers on foam roller

Glute Workout

Bodyweight exercises - fitness woman doing fire hydrants legs kickbacks. Active girl training glute muscles raising one leg to the side and back for strength training in outdoor gym on grass floor.Shutterstock

Sadielee recently shared a glute workout, recommending 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 kickback
  4. Fire hydrants
  5. Static glute bridge abductions

Related: 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

Walking Workout

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

  1. 5 min warm-up - 3.5 speed
  2. 10 min steady pace - 4.0 speed
  3. 7 min incline walk - 3.5 speed
  4. 5 min moderate pace - 3.5 speed
  5. 8 min interval walk - 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed
  6. 10 min speed variation - 4.0 ~ 4.5 speed
  7. 5 min cooldown 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed

Core Workout

If you want abs like Sadielee, try her core workout, which she recently shared via her Instagram. “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, recommending 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on fitness level.”

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

Related: Brianna Joye in Exercise Set Reveals 3 Moves to Shape Your Arms and Waistline

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Sadielee recently gave her followers a glimpse at her daily diet, which doesn’t involve any meal prep and enables her to hit her macros. “I need quick, efficient, and easy to grab, but I also want it to taste yummy. My goal with nutrition right now is to just hit about 1g of protein per lb of body weight!” she says. She starts with yogurt and a Fairlife protein chocolate milk. For lunch, she eats “adult Lunchables,” which she makes with sliced turkey, cheese, edamame, grapes, nuts, and healthy crackers. For dinner, she has Chicken Kofta with Tzatziki and lemon rice. She finishes her day off with dessert, a cashew butter dark chocolate bar, and a “sleepy girl mocktail” made with cherry juice and Poppi soda.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to get into shape without having to leave your home, find an online fitness trainer who regularly shares workouts on social media and start trying them out.

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
alexxandra.fitt/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.

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
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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