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Gillian Ferguson in Two-Piece Exercise Gear Reveals 8 Ways to Lose 40 Pounds

These simple habits will help you lose big.

Gillian Ferguson is revealing her secrets to weight loss – in her two-piece exercise set. In a new social media post, the fitness influencer and founder of The Macro Method, who lost a whopping 40 pounds, shares exactly what you need to know if you want to lose weight. "What I would do to lose 40 lbs again, ladies," she captioned the Instagram video. Here are her 8 suggestions.

1. Maintain a Calorie Deficit

First, make sure you are burning more than you are taking in. "I would make sure I'm in a healthy calorie deficit," she says in her post. She recommends "about 300-500 calories below my TDEE," and suggests calculating your own number.

RELATED: From Struggling Mom to Fit Influencer: How I Dropped 40 Pounds with These 3 Simple Habits

2. Prioritize Protein

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Number two, amp up your protein intake. "Make sure I'm getting 30g protein at every meal," she says. 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.

3. Each Fiber Rich Carbs

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You don't have to eliminate carbs, but make sure you are eating the right type. "Eat carbs that pack fiber regularly!" she recommends. "25g of fiber daily is a great goal."

4. Think of Calorie Like a Budget

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Gillian has a trick for allotting calories. "Learn calories are like your budget for the day and even treats can fit in!" she writes. "Yup. I lost 40 lbs and have maintained it without restricting fun foods + treats."

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5. Keep High Protein Snacks Around

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You don't have to give up snacks, but make sure they are filling and fueling, says Gillian. "Always have high protein snacks on hand so there's never a reason to be hangry! You will never not find a protein bar in my bag!" she writes.

6. Exercise

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Next up, exercise. "Move my body," she says. One workout she recommends is lifting weights. "But listen ladies if the gym is scary to you, work out at home. If you don't have equipment start with walking more. Don't let this step stop your whole process," she says. And, get your steps in. "Walk more," she adds.

Hydrate, Don't Drink As Much, and Sleep

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She also recommends a few lifestyle modifications. "Don't forget about things like drinking water, reducing alcohol, sleeping well. These aren't 'nice to haves,'" she says.

RELATED: I Tried Everything, Then These 5 Habits Helped Me Lose 170 Pounds

Don't Set Goal Weights and End Dates

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Finally, make it all a lifestyle change. "Take the goal weight & end date away!" she says. "Take it one day at a time (sometimes one meal at a time) and realize that it's what you do most of the time that matters. Once you take away the end date or the goal weight, it becomes so much more fun!" And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Leah Groth
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related. Read more