Easy Ways to Slim For Summer

By Audrey Patterson

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Recipe box delivery service mindfulchef.com co-founder and nutritional coach Myles Hopper has a few tips to help us lose weight.

Eat At Home More Often

…And get into the habit of making your own lunches. With 4 out of 10 Brits choosing to eat at home, eating in is the new eating out and it’s good for you! Save eating out for special occasions and make sure to set time aside to enjoy cooking.

Avoid or lower your refined carbohydrate intake

Often found in foods such as white bread, white rice, pasta and starchy vegetables, refined carbohydrates are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream causing risky spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels. Eating refined carbohydrates in excess can lead to mood swings, weight gain, insulin resistance, heart disease and diabetes. Making small changes and switches to healthier alternatives can make a huge difference. Our boxes don’t contain any refined carbs and therefore avoid high-carb fillers such as pasta or bread. Instead we guarantee genuinely exceptional quality, gluten-free, dairy-free and locally sourced fresh, produce. Working with local, sustainable farmers in the West Country, the award-winning organic meat and fish included in our recipes are also stocked in Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.

Meditate

As Mindful Chefs paying more attention to the present moment and our mental wellbeing is hugely important. Just ten minutes of meditation helps us to enjoy the world around us and better understand ourselves. Meditation doesn’t have to be done sat crossed legged on the floor in silence, try getting off the tube or bus a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way alone. Put your phone away and take time to listen to your thoughts, understand your emotions and take in the world around you.

Exercise regularly

If you hate exercising then find an activity or hobby you enjoy that will increase your fitness without feeling like ‘exercise’. It could be cycling, surfing, dancing, rock climbing or even hiking, whatever it may be, make sure you enjoy it and you will reap the rewards before you know it. Better yet, encourage a friend to join you and you’re more likely to stick to it beyond January. If you don’t like the gym or aren’t sure what exercise to do take a look at this easy workout plan you can do at home: http://blog.mindfulchef.com/3-workouts-to-do-at-home/

Switch off

73% of Brits say they’d struggle to go a day without checking their phone or computer. We understand how useful technology can be but switching off can be just as beneficial. Make sure to eat lunch away from your desk and take an hour or two a day to switch off completely. Doing so will aid sleep, reduce stress levels and make time for reconnecting with those around you.

For more on diet, see Fad Diets? Good Or Bad News?