Follow this routine for 2 weeks to jumpstart your weight-loss

November 6, 2017 7:22 PM

Without professional help, most people don't even know where to begin.

For a lot of people, losing weight is all about breaking bad habits and replacing them with healthier ones.

Sounds easy enough, right? Well, you know what they say: if it were easy, everyone would do it. Without professional help, most people don't even know where to begin.

Luckily, we've come up with a plan that can help you feel great and shed some pounds. Women's Health's The Body Clock Diet is a three-phase plan to get your body back on track. Phase 1 lasts two weeks and is all about resetting your body's internal clock and jumpstarting your metabolism.

For those two weeks, there are some ground rules. First, you'll have to cut out alcohol completely as it disrupts your circadian rhythm and digestion and often makes you hungrier. Coffee in moderation is okay, but keep it to one or two cups before 2 p.m. so it doesn't mess with your sleep cycle. In addition to coffee, start each day with a warm cup of water to aid digestion and encourage bowel movements. Lastly, avoid artificial sugars and stick to the natural stuff if you have to have it.

Phase 1 is broken down hourly, so there's never a moment in the day you're unsure of what to do. In the morning, wake up with the sun after eight hours of sleep. About an hour after waking up, it's time for breakfast—overnight oats, avocado toast, or Greek yogurt with granola are all great options.

You'll be logging all your meals throughout these two weeks, so don't forget to record your hunger level, what you ate, and how satisfied you were. An hour after breakfast, you can go for that coffee. Then, at 10 a.m. you're ready for your mid-morning snack which could be an orange and nuts or an apple with hummus.

Remember, you're eating every two hours so when the clock strikes noon, it's lunchtime. Options include spinach salad and veggie bowls. 3:30 p.m. is time to fight temptation with a small afternoon snack. Three hours later, it's dinnertime. Ideally, you'll have consumed the majority of your calories earlier in the day, so dinner can be light turkey chili or spaghetti squash and meatballs. Between 8 and 10 p.m., it's time to practice a bit of self-care that doesn't revolve around eating. Use this time to practice a new hobby or watch your favorite show. Before bed, try a mini-meditation to ready yourself for the next day.

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