How you start your morning can determine how the body operates throughout the day. Unhealthy morning habits, some of which you may not even consider unhealthy, can induce stress and cause you to be less productive. More importantly, getting up and going about your morning in the wrong way can add inches to your waistline.
There’s no reason to unknowingly shoot yourself in the foot if your primary health goal is to shed some weight. Snoozing your morning alarm, drinking coffee on an empty stomach, and skipping breakfast, among other things, are many morning mistakes people make. Don’t get in your own way! Avoid the following morning habits that contribute to weight gain and you may have more success with the weight loss process.
You Skip Water In The Morning
How often do you go straight from the bed to the coffee pot? Perhaps you intend to drink water before leaving the house, but then you forget and the first liquid you drink is a sugary frappe from your local coffee shop. Water is essential for every biological function in the body. It helps to flush waste from your colon and can make your metabolism run more efficiently. When you don’t drink enough water, you can experience dehydration and slow metabolism. Drinking coffee first thing can actually promote dehydration! To rehydrate your body after a night of sleep, start your day with at least 12-16 ounces of room temperature water. Take it to the next level by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon!
You Don’t Eat The Right Foods
Some people prefer to follow an intermittent fasting regimen, so they don’t eat breakfast. If that plan works for you, then great! If you eat in the morning, make sure that you focus on the right foods. It’s very easy to prepare a plate of toast, bacon or sausage, and eggs for breakfast because that is the typical American breakfast. Not only do these foods take longer to digest, but they can also slow down your metabolism and make you crave similar, salty foods later on. Try to focus on a bowl of oatmeal with bananas, raisins, and blueberries instead of pancakes and maple syrup. Sliced avocado on unsalted rice cakes or fruit and vegetable smoothies are also excellent breakfast options.
You Oversleep
Sleep is an essential part of life, and getting the recommended seven to eight hours a night is recommended by sleep experts. Oversleeping, however, could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. You don’t want to sleep too much, but you don’t want to sleep too little either, as lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain. A recent study found that people who slept more than 10 hours a night had a higher body mass index than people who slept between seven and eight hours a night. Avoid that snooze button in the morning and wake up on time!
You Get Ready In The Dark
How does this contribute to weight gain? If you keep the curtains closed and the lights off while you get ready, you deprive yourself of morning sunlight. One study found that blue light waves from early morning sunlight boosted metabolism and helped the body wake up. Health experts encourage people to get at least 10 minutes of sunlight in the morning. It’s even more beneficial if you go outside and look towards the sun (not at the sun) for the best benefits.
You Don’t Workout In The Morning
Several studies have shown that incorporating movement into your mornings, especially on an empty stomach, can help you burn more body fat and lose weight. Ideally, drink that tall glass of water we mentioned earlier in the article before your workout. Another benefit of exercising is that you get your blood pumping, which prompts your body to function optimally. You don’t have to hit the gym, either! Take a walk or jog around the neighborhood, do some jumping jacks, take a swim (if you have that available to you), or practice some yoga to help prevent weight gain.
