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She Lost 28 Pounds Eating in Restaurants by Following These 4 Rules

Eat out and lose weight by following these tips.

Luisana_Carrero_luisana_nutritioncoach19
Copyright luisana_nutritioncoach/Instagram

Just because you are trying to lose weight doesn’t mean you can’t eat out at your favorite restaurants – you just have to make smarter choices. Luisana Carrero is a nutrition coach and social media influencer who knows how to lose weight and keep it off from personal experience. In fact, she ended up losing 28 pounds in 4 months by cleaning up her diet and following some simple rules. A new post reveals how she dines out while still losing weight. “My 4 rules for eating out at restaurants that helped me lose 28 pounds,” she captioned the Instagram post.


Prioritize Protein

Her first rule? Prioritize protein. “I like to think about building my meal around protein, and I opt for foods like grilled chicken or steak. Ask to double the protein if possible to stay fuller longer,” she says in her post.

Ask for Dressings and Sauces on the Side

Also, beware of condiments. “Keep dressings and sauces on the side. Dressings and sauces are often calorie-dense, and restaurants tend to overdo it. Having them on the side gives me control over how much I use,” she says.

Pay Attention to Portion Size

Next, the size of your meal matters. “I control my portions,” she says. Restaurant portions can be huge. If that’s the case, I eat half of the meal and save the rest for later or share it with someone.”

Start with a Salad

She also recommends ordering a salad: " I start my meal with a side salad with dressing on the side. This gives me some volume and fiber and helps me feel full without adding many calories,” she says.

Be Mindful

Finally, her last tip is to be mindful. “I like to enjoy and try different foods, but that doesn’t mean I need to eat them all. If I don’t really love something, I know I don’t have to finish it!”

RELATED: 11 Things This Woman Wishes She Knew Before Losing 45 Pounds, “Stop Counting Calories”

Here Is What She Stocks Up On at Costco, Starting with Protein

In another post she detailed everything she stops for at Costco, starting with protein.

  • Chicken Breast: “Fully cooked or raw,” she reveals.
  • Ready to Drink Protein Shakes: “Nurri or Fairlife - I like the ones with 30g of protein,” she says.
  • Steak Bites: “This is a new find, and they’re delicious,” she says in the post.

She Likes These Dairy/Egg Products

She also stocks up on dairy products, including eggs:

  • Egg whites
  • Eggs
  • Low Fat Cottage Cheese
  • Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
  • Oikos Greek yogurt
  • Feta Cheese
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk.

Fruits and Veggies That She Gets

As for fruit and veggies, she keeps it simple:

  • Spring mix
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Peppers.

RELATED: He Did Farmer's Walks for 30 Days and His Body Transformed "Almost Immediately"

She Also Gets Healthy Fats

Here is her list of healthy fats:

  • Olive oil
  • Avocados
  • Natural peanut butter: “Check the ingredients, make sure there’s only peanuts and salt,” she says, noting that this is “cheaper at Costco.”
  • Grass Fed Butter: Also “cheaper at Costco.”

And, She Also Buys These Carbs

Her go-to carbs at Costco are:

  • Whole Grain bread: “Dave’s Killer is my fave,” she says.
  • Corn tortillas
  • White rice
  • Potatoes
  • Frozen Berries
  • Apples.

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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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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Are your bad habits preventing you from losing weight fast? Luisana Carrero is a nutrition coach and social media influencer who knows how to lose weight and keep it off from personal experience. In a recent social media post, she reveals that once she ditched six bad habits, the weight fell off. “6 things I stopped doing and I lost 28 pounds in 4 months and kept it off,” she writes over the Instagram video of herself at the gym. “These changes made ALL the difference for me and I hope they help you too.”


She Started Tracking Nutrition

Number one on her list? “I stopped guessing my nutrition and started tracking all my food every single day (including the weekends) to ensure I was in a deficit so I could get in and out. My goal wasn’t to stay in a deficit forever; I wanted to lose fat, reach my goal, and then transition to maintenance after,” she says in the video.

She Cut Down on Alcohol

She also stopped drinking her calories. “I cut back on drinking from 4-5 drinks every weekend to only on special occasions,” she reveals.

She Stopped Focusing on Calories

“I stopped focusing just on calories and started prioritizing my food quality. I transitioned from eating anything that ‘fit my macros’ to prioritizing lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats - opting for real, high-quality foods. This kept me fuller longer and made the fat loss easier,” she said about her third habit.

RELATED: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Lost 70 Pounds (And Kept It Off)

She Stopped Being Sedentary

She also started moving more. “I stopped sitting most of the time (because I have a desk job) and made walking a non-negotiable: Every single day, I was hitting 10k steps. I did this by going on walks and using my treadmill at home.

She Stopped Going to the Gym Without a Plan

She also got more focused on exercise. “I stopped going to the gym without a plan and started following a workout program, lifting weights at least 4x per week,” she says.

She Stopped Spending Time with People Who Didn’t Support Her Goals

Finally, she changed up her friend group. “I stopped spending time with people that didn’t support my goals. I got tired of ‘friends’ making fun of me because I didn’t want to drink or eat what they were eating,” she says.

RELATED: Unlock the Secret to Turning Off Your Fat Genes

Also, She Recommends Eating Lots of Protein

In another post, she stresses the importance of eating high-protein foods. “As a general guideline, if your goal is to lose fat, aim to consume .8-1.2g of protein per lb of target body weight a day,” she says, recommending the following:

  • Spend 5 mins in the morning planning what you’ll eat.
  • Cook protein in bulk to quickly put meals together in less than 5 minutes.
  • Start your day with at least 30g protein, this helps control hunger levels, decrease cravings and it makes it easier to reach your protein goal.
  • Opt mainly for lean protein sources for higher volume, fewer calories, and more protein per serving.

Here Are Some Food Ideas

She recommends the following high protein foods in order to “140g of protein in a day and make fat loss easier.”

  • Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt: “I prefer plain Greek yogurt for lower calories and more protein. 200g Greek yogurt provides 22g of protein. I add stevia, peanut butter and frozen blueberries to mine, I eat that for dessert every night,” she says.
  • Chicken breast: “130g of cooked chicken breast will give you 40g of protein. I cook it in bulk and use it to make many different meals like grilled chicken sandwiches, tacos, salads, bowls,” she explains.
  • 96/4 Lean Ground Beef: “140g of cooked ground beef provides 40g of protein. I cook it in bulk and make burger patties or use it for my pasta,” she says.
  • Egg whites: “200g of liquid egg whites will give you only 108 calories and 22g of protein. You can add liquid egg whites to your full eggs for more protein and more volume. I mix a cup of egg whites with 2 full eggs, or use it for my french toast or my pancakes,” she explains.
  • Fat Free Cottage Cheese: “A serving of cottage cheese gives you 13g of protein. You can add it to your eggs, eat it with fruits or add it to your salads,” she adds.

And, You Can Lose Weight Eating Carbs

In another post she explains that she previously thought she “had to cut out carbs to lose weight,” she wrote. But that left me feeling hungry, craving them even more, tired and unable to focus. Until I learned this: You can lose weight while eating carbs. The key is to choose high-quality carbs and monitor your intake to stay in a calorie deficit.”

RELATED: “The Midlife Maven” Alicia Erikson in Workout Gear Reveals Exactly What She Eats in a Day to Make 51 Look Like 31

Top 5 Carbs

“Carbs are not essential for your body like fats and protein but they are our bodies preferred source of energy especially when you’re working out because they help you maximize your performance and recover from those workouts,” she continues. “Eat carbs as a part of a well-balanced diet and use them for energy, recovery, stress reduction, sleep and because you enjoy them. The amount to consume will vary for each individual based on your daily activity, stress levels, training intensity.” She goes on to list her “top 5 during a fat loss phase.”

  • Potatoes: “One of my favorite foods to cook in bulk. I make them in the air fryer and it only takes 25 mins. They are perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch, I like eating them with lean ground beef patties,” she says.
  • Fruits: “Especially berries and apples,” she writes. “Berries are full of fiber and antioxidants. I add frozen berries to Greek yogurt or smoothies. Apples are my go-to pre-workout snacks.”
  • Whole grain bread: “This is the one I use to make my high protein french toast,” she says.
  • Whole wheat tortillas: “Quick and easy option, love using whole wheat tortillas for homemade little pizzas or turkey wraps,” she explains.
  • Rice: “Another one I always cook in bulk. I use it to make my homemade chipotle bowls.”

And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Evidence-Based

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

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

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

Are your unhealthy habits preventing you from losing weight? According to one expert, you should take a look at yours. Fitness and nutrition coach Alexandra (@alexx.fitt) has amassed a following on TikTok and Instagram by sharing videos about losing 40 pounds. In a recent video, she reveals a few bad habits that she ditched to achieve weight loss success finally. “5 things I stopped doing to lose 40lbs,” she writes in the post.


She Stopped Following Trends

Just because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it will help you lose weight. “I stopped following trends,” Alex revealed. “These days, whether it’s running, Pilates Princess is all a trend. You can do it all. The secret is finding what works for you and sticking to it,” she says in her post.

She Stopped Snacking on “Everything in Sight”

Snacking isn’t always bad. However, it can be. “I stopped snacking on everything in sight. I used to be the person who would have a bite of everything. Little did I know it adds up quickly,” Alex writes.

She Stopped Being Lazy

Sedentary behavior won’t help you lose weight, says Alex. “I stopped being lazy. I simply began walking everywhere, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc,” she reveals.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

She Stopped Setting Strict Goals

Are your diet and fitness goals too rigid? “I stopped having strict goals. I used to think I could lose 2 lbs a week consistently. But realistically, your weight will fluctuate, and setting weight goals puts way too much pressure on me,” she writes.

She Stopped Restricting Herself

Crash diets and avoiding food you actually like aren’t the key to losing weight, according to the influencer. “I stopped restricting myself and learned how to have portion control. Enjoy dessert in moderation,” she says.

She “Ate the Same Meals Every Single Day”

So, what did she eat to lose weight? “For 1-2 months, I ate the same meals every single day. Why? Because I was confused, I didn’t know what to eat or where to start, so I ate the same thing every day,” Alexandra confessed in another post.

RELATED: Health Expert Shares Her 5 Favorite Healthy Food Swaps

Here Is Her Weight Loss Breakfast

On her weight loss journey, Alex had two breakfast options. One “would always be oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder and brandy butter,” she reveals. The second? Eggs with turkey bacon, veggies, and a bagel.

Here Is Her Weight Loss Lunch

You don’t have to stick to salads to lose weight, according to Alex. “I’d usually eat some type of wrap/ sandwich. I’d add mayo, turkey, ham, salami, cheese, and a bunch of veggies,” she writes.

Here Are Her Weight Loss Snacks

Alexandra had a few go-to snacks while losing weight. “I’d have a protein bar, protein shake, fruit, yogurt bowls, bagels with cream cheese, snack plates, and anything I was craving that day. I just made sure it was a decent portion,” she says.

RELATED: 9 Ways You're Making Your Belly Fat Worse

Here Is Her Weight Loss Dinner

For dinner, while losing weight, she “would switch things up” and gravitated toward bowls. She would “add a bunch of lettuce, rice and either ground turkey, chicken, ground beef, any kind of protein and I’d add toppings like tortilla chips, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, salsa, cheese ugh they’re so good and so filling,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Evidence-Based

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

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

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

Do you want to lose weight without having to count calories? Try intuitive eating, urges one expert. Jannina Emilia is an intuitive healthy habit expert and coach who lost 22 pounds without calorie counting. In a new post, she reveals exactly how she did it. “Here’s what it actually takes to lose fat without tracking calories from a woman who did 7 years of research, lost 10kg (22lbs) unnecessary weight, never needs to diet again,” she wrote across the Instagram video.


It’s Possible to Lose Weight Without Calculating Anything

She starts by discussing “the science-backed truth” about intuitive eating. “All the time people come to me saying ‘if I just ate freely what I wanted, I would be the size of a tank’ (literally with those words),” she writes. “This brings us to the TRUTH: It is possible to lose that hindering body fat that bothers you (yup, been there too, sis!) while leaving all calculations and meal plans behind. Choosing to embody healthy eating this way has completely transformed my body & mind (and for a reason!!!)” she continues.

RELATED: She Lost 100 Pounds With This 3-Ingredient Breakfast Every Day

Focus on the Type and Amount of Food You Eat

Number one? “Embody the very basics of the correlation between food and body composition,” she writes. “The science: The type AND amount of food we eat have the biggest impact on our body composition (remember your weight is not just weight: it’s water, fat, muscle etc. that’s why using a scale to check your weight is a horrible measure)”

Focus on Quality Nutrition 80 Percent of the Time

Next, focus on quality nutrition 80% of the time. “The science: Providing volume and satiety with fewer (while still enough) calories naturally,” she explains.

Eat Food You Actually Like

You don’t need to eat food just because it’s healthy. “Eat all your fav foods daily,” she recommends. “The science: A balanced, realistic approach to eating that is sustainable for long term without extremes.”

RELATED: Top Nutritionist Says Stop These 7 Macro Mistakes for Weight Loss

Follow Hunger Cues

Next, listen to your body. “Give your body enough break from eating so that the natural cues appear, then act on those cues,” she writes. “The science: Following your body’s physiological signals is the most natural way to eat (HIII INTUITIVE EATING that’s packed with freedom😍).”

Eat Nutrient Dense Foods

She also suggests focusing on foods that will fill you up. “Fall in love with nutrient dense foods,” she writes. “The science: Our brains have the ability to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to experience and learning: you can rewire your brain to associate nourishing foods with pleasure, making it easier to choose them regularly.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I Hit 60 and These 15 Anti-Aging Foods Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger.

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.

Have you been trying to lose weight but been unsuccessful? Sadie Chartrand of Slim Sadie Coaching is a weight loss coach, military spouse, MO, and Registered Nurse (RN) who “helps women who have been battling their bodies and struggling with their weight for their entire lives” get into shape. In a new viral YouTube video, she reveals how she did it. “This is how I lost 80 pounds in just five months,” she says at the start of the clip. “My only hope is to help you all lose weight based on my own experiences.”


She Was “So Heavy” That She Thought She Had a “Disease or Disorder”

“Two weeks before December 13th, 2017, I had decided at some point that the reason that I was so heavy had to be because of some kind of disease or disorder. So I went to the doctor, and I told myself when I went into the doctor's office if all of my results came back negative, I had to lose weight. I have no more excuses. This was December 13th, 2017. I went into the office, and she read my results back to me. Everything was totally normal,” she says in her post.

She Went to a Doctor and Had Her BMR Calculated

“I stuck to my promise to myself, so I asked this doctor to help me lose weight. The first thing that she did was body composition. From that, she showed me what my BMR was, which was basal metabolic rate. And then she explained to me that to lose weight, I needed to eat about 1,157 calories a day, no more than that,” she continued.

RELATED:9 Things You Need to Do to Drop Body Fat in 30 Days, According to Expert

She Amped Up Her Protein Intake

She is also excited about her protein intake. “She wanted to make sure that I really increased my protein. So I ate one gram of protein per pound of skeletal muscle that I had, which was about 75 grams of protein per day,” she continues.

She Cut Carbs

She also stopped eating carbs. “At the time, she really cut my carbs out. So I was only eating less than 20 net carbs per day, less than 50 total carbs per day,” she says.

Here Is What She Ate in a Day

She was eating a protein shake for breakfast and a protein shake for lunch. “And these are Premier Protein shakes, pre-made,” she says. “For dinner, I was having four ounces of meat and two cups of vegetables.”

RELATED:Fitness Coach Reveals the 5 Foods That Helped Him Lose 20 Pounds in 90 Days

Walking Was Also Key

And, she got her steps in. “As for exercise, all I did was walk,” she says. A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

She Lost Weight Fast

When she went in for her two-week checkup “and just to check in to see how things were going,” she learned she had lost 14.7 pounds in just two weeks. “At first, I was so excited, and then everyone said, ‘It's water weight. It's going to come back. Don't get yourself all excited about this.’

She Went on to Lose 80 Pounds in 5 Months

“It never came back. And I continued to lose weight. At the end of the first month. I had lost basically 25 pounds in one month, which was my goal. I just barely miss it by a few ounces. But basically, it was 25 pounds. About two months into my journey, I had lost 40 pounds. And at the end of five months, I had lost 75 pounds. So that's why I say I lost 80 pounds in five months.”

She Gained Some of It Back

Unfortunately, she ended up gaining back 40 of those 80 pounds within a few months. “I got back into it, and I committed again. I lost all of the weight again by May of 2019. Her lowest weight was 180, and she admits that she is now 223.

RELATED:Nutrition Expert Reveals 2 Natural Alternatives to Expensive Weight Loss Drugs

She Is Now Back on Track and Using These Tips

“I am embarrassed, I'm disappointed. But the most important thing that I have to keep reminding myself is that I've done this not once but twice before. I know how to do this, and I can do it. It's just a matter of convincing myself each and every day to do this. It's been a lot, but it's also been absolutely life-changing for me, and I was really missing out on life. So my motto is losing weight and gaining life.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Evidence-Based

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

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

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

Are you in your post-menopausal stage and struggling to lose weight? Ilene Block is the founder of Silver and Strong, a coaching company that specializes in helping women over 50 get into the best shape of their lives. In fact, she herself lost 40 pounds at the age of 61 (and 55 pounds altogether) by making a few simple changes to her routine. “I totally changed my body composition at 61 by changing these 2 simple things,” she writes across a recent viral Instagram video. “Can it be that simple? Yes it can!” she added in the caption.


She Changed Her Approach to Diet

Many people think not eating or eating much less is the key to achieving a dream body. But the opposite can be true. “Eat as much as possible to fuel your body (not as little as possible to be skinny),” says Ilene in her post.

She Changed Her Approach to Exercise

Another game changing thing she did? She changed her approach to exercise. “Lift heavy weights 4 to 5x a week (Heavy for YOU),” she says in the post.

She Used to Yo Yo Diet

“I spent 40 years yo-yo dieting - eating as little as possible - and focusing on doing more cardio that weight training (and never heavy enough),” she continues in the post. Here’s what I changed and what you can start doing TODAY to make a difference in how you look and, more importantly, how you feel.”

She Follows These 3 Eating Rules

She went on to change the way she ate and followed these rules. First, she eats “at least 100g of protein spread evenly throughout the day,” she says. “Eat your biggest carb rich meals right before and after your weight training,” is her second rule. And her third? “Track your macros - if you are not eating at least 1800 calories a day, you likely need to do a reverse diet to rev your metabolism before attempting to lose fat,” she says.

She Weight Trains and Does Some Cardio

She also changed her exercise focus. “Weight train 4 to 5 days a week - lifting heavy weights (heavy for YOU). Most women don’t like heavy enough so they don’t get the benefits of muscle hypertrophy, which is what makes your muscles grow,” she says. “Cardio is important for heart health and can be a good tool to aid in fat loss when you are in a calorie deficit, but it should never replace weight training.”

Muscles Burn More Calories Than Fat

She also points out that muscles burn more calories than fat. “The more muscle you have, the more you can eat and maintain the same weight or lose body fat,” she says. “Weight training also helps keep your bones strong, which is especially important to us post menopausal gals. Strong bones and muscles allow us to maintain our overall strength and fitness and independence as we age.”

Here Are Some More Tips

“Changing how you eat and move can seem overwhelming, but if your goal is healthy aging, both are necessities. Start slow and remember these mantras,” she says.

  • Consistency, not perfection
  • Discipline, not motivation
  • Comparison is the thief of joy

“You are not too old; it is not too late to get in the best shape of your life starting today,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I Hit 60 and These 15 Anti-Aging Foods Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger.

Shauna Theresa shaunatheresa
Copyright shaunatheresa/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.

Are you over 40, and the same tactics you used to burn fat when you were younger suddenly aren’t working anymore? Shauna Theresa is a women’s fitness and nutrition coach who helps women over 40 “boost metabolism, build strong, sculpted bodies and lose fat for life” using her STRONG method. In a new post, she reveals how she had to adapt her fat loss approach as she got older. “Fat loss was easier in my 40s after I did this,” she writes.

Getting Into a Calorie Deficit and Staying There Didn’t Work Anymore

“A BIG mistake I made for years, and see many women make, is we start eating in a calorie deficit and STAY there,” she reveals. “The big problem with that is your body will eventually adapt to that lower calorie intake.”

It Down Regulate Metabolism

“This means it will down regulate metabolism, making fat loss HARDER and gaining fat EASIER,” she says. “Not to mention, building muscle while in a deficit is NOT easy, which is why maintenance phases are a critical part of creating that ‘toned’ look!”

A Maintenance Phase Is Key

“Without a plan for your dieting phase, especially a starting or exit strategy, you won’t get the results you want. I’ve been there. But here is how I lost fat at age 40, kept it off and maintain it without living on a diet! (Ps. This is how I help clients!)” she writes, heading into the four steps she took.

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

Step 1: Prime Your Body for Fat Loss

The first step? “Before starting a fat loss phase I primed my body to lose fat by taking a break from dieting,” she reveals. This helped “up-regulate metabolism” and ensured her “body was not in a stressed state.”

Step 2: Time You Fat Loss Phases

Step two? “Fat loss phases were timed, with breaks as needed,” she writes. They also “included prioritizing protein and heavy weight lifting (this sends a signal to the body to preserve muscle and burn fat),” she says.

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

Step 3: Reverse Diet

The third step may surprise you. “Fat loss phases ended with a reverse diet,” she reveals. This “strategically and slowly increased calories allowing my body to adjust and adapt to a higher calorie amount without gaining fat. (A step most miss.)” she adds.

Step 4: Maintenance Phases

The last step? “My maintenance phases were times I took advantage of more calories,” she reveals. She added that she “put them to use to build more muscle, maybe even eating slightly over with calories with the intention of adding muscle, creating a more ‘toned’ look and improving metabolism.”

You Can Maintain Weight Loss Without Dieting Forever

“This application of steps has helped me lose fat, build muscle, and maintain results while avoiding being stuck in low calorie land! You are NOT meant to live in a deficit. It should be a temporary means to an end. A step in the process,” she adds at the end of her post. “Your plan should include times when you are eating MORE so you can prevent metabolic slow down and crashing hormones. It is possible for you to maintain your weight loss without ‘dieting’ forever. Promise!” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Kelsey_Rose14
Copyright thekelseyrose_/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.

Unless you live under a rock, you are well aware that walking is one of the best workouts for losing weight and maintaining your overall health. However, getting the recommended steps to lose weight and burn fat can be difficult, especially if you have a job. Kelsey Rose is a fitness trainer and social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers. In a new post, she issues a “PSA” about walking, explaining that “the #1 tool for FAT LOSS for women is literally free!!” According to Kelsey, if you have a “sedentary” job where you only get in 2,500 steps a day, adding a 30-minute walk before and after work will help you burn an additional 260 calories a day, which could help you lose 10 to 15 pounds in 6 months if paired with an 80/20 diet. “10 other hot tips for hitting those daily steps when working a 9-5,” she writes.

1. Turn Your Morning Routine into Movement

Per Kelsey, the first thing you should do is incorporate walking into your morning routine. “Instead of scrolling or lingering over coffee, use 10-15 minutes in the morning to pace around your home, stretch, or go for a quick walk. I wake up in the morning and go outside first thing!” she writes.

2. Take Active Commutes

Turn your commute into a workout, Kelsey encourages. “If possible, walk or bike to work. If you drive, park farther away or get off public transport a stop early to squeeze in extra steps,” she says.

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

3. Walk During Meetings

Try and get your steps in while you work by multitasking, Kelsey suggests. “Turn phone calls or virtual meetings into walking meetings. Pop in your headphones and take your call while pacing or walking outside,” she says.

4. Use the Stairs

Turn your office stairwell into a StairMaster, suggests the trainer. “Ditch the elevator! Take the stairs whenever you can to sneak in extra movement,” she writes.

5. Set Hourly Step Goals

Set hourly goals instead of a daily goal to get your body moving. “Set a timer to remind yourself to get up every hour. Walk around the office or do a quick lap at home if you’re working remotely,” says Kelsey.

RELATED:7 Simple Daily Exercises To Shrink Hanging Belly Fat

6. Take Your Lunch Break Outside

Use your lunch break as an opportunity to get fresh air plus exercise. “Go for a brisk walk after eating. It’s a great way to recharge while adding steps to your day,” she says.

7. Use a Smaller Water Bottle

While most experts recommend using large water bottles, a smaller one may help you stay more active. “A smaller bottle means more trips to refill it. Plus, staying hydrated keeps your energy up!” she writes.

8. Walk During Breaks

If you take breaks throughout the work day, use them as an opportunity to take mini walks. “Instead of scrolling on your phone, take a 5-10 minute stroll during your morning or afternoon breaks,” Kelsey writes.

9. Make Errands Active

Multitasking during errands can help you get even more activity in. “Walk to grab coffee, pick up lunch, or drop off documents. Even small tasks can help you rack up steps,” suggests Kelsey.

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

10. End Your Day with a Walk

Finally, use the end of the day as a time to reflect and get a workout in. “Wind down after work with a 20-30 minute evening walk. It’s a relaxing way to hit your step goals and clear your mind,” says Kelsey. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

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Are you frustrated that the same weight loss tactics you used in her thirties are failing to work in your forties? It may be time to change your approach. Molly Corcoran is a weight loss warrior and coach who lost a total of 20 pounds after she turned 40. Now, she helps “35+ busy moms optimize their metabolism, build muscle, lose belly fat & find confidence again in peri/menopause,” she writes in her Instagram bio. In a new post, she reveals three core habits at the center of her weight loss. “I stopped eating clean, ditched the orange theory classes over 40,” she writes, revealing her secret.

High-Intensity Workouts Were Impacting Her Hormones

According to Molly, high-intensity cardio workouts that worked for her when she was younger were not helping her lose weight. “The truth is ladies, the constant cardio workouts Like orange theory did a number to my hormones in peri/menopause,” she writes.

Eating “Clean” Was Also Working Against Her

Another thing that stopped working? “Paired that with trying to eat ‘clean’ so I called it for most of my life. There is no such thing as clean eating and if you’re still trying to eat clean in your 40s+ that’s exactly why you can’t lose the weight,” she continued.

She Made Three Changes

“When it all changed for me was when I left the intense cardio/weight classes and finally got control of my eating habits. Here are the 3 things I focused on that drive results,” she says.

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

She Started Tracking Protein and Calories

“I started tracking my protein and calories in @myfitness pal to educate myself on portions and got good at consistently hitting 140-150g protein daily. Also, eating carbs at every meal and getting a calorie deficit goal that was manageable so I stay consistent,” she said.

She Swapped Group Fitness for Progressive Overload Strength Training

“I left group x classes for good and started to shift my focus to progressive overload strength training. 3-4 strength days a week tracking how much I lifted, set, and allowed rest between sets to push in my lifts,” she writes. “Wanna change your body, leave the random workouts with cardio mixed in because that’s not strength training.”

She Started Walking

And third, she started moving more in general. “I started to monitor my daily movement outside of my workouts, focused on hitting 10k steps, and still do to this day 5 years later,” she writes.

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

She Got Serious About Nutrition

She also worked on her nutrition. “Bonus: I got serious about educating myself on adding more to my plate by adding more fruits and veggies to my plate, pairing that with healthy fat, and protein was how I lost the most weight.”

You Need to “Unlearn Everything You Thought Would Work"

“If you finally want to see results in your 40s on up, you need to unlearn everything you thought would work. Have a plan for both nutrition and exercise. I can assure you that the results will come when you get serious about what you put in your mouth!” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.