Fit By Sara: Lose Weight, Eat More Often

“I’ve heard that I should eat 5 meals a day. I don’t understand, how can I lose weight by eating more often?” Julie S.

The reason why it’s important to eat every few hours is because it keeps your metabolism going, and this will ultimately result in weight loss. As soon as you feel the twinges of hunger you should eat instead of waiting until you’re super hungry. When you listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry you’ll have more energy, less cravings, and you’ll feel and look better. On the other hand, if you wait to eat until you’re “starving” you’ll tend to eat large portions and your body will crave high fat, high calorie foods to get the energy it needs.

I always tell my clients to bring baggies of healthy snacks. A few of my personal favorites are almonds lightly salted, Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal, Balance bars, baby carrots, and raisins with walnuts. When you have snacks on hand you’ll be less likely to go through “take out” and or crave junk food, plus at your next meal you’ll eat a smaller portion. By eating more often you’ll eat less, keep your metabolism going so you burn more calories, and the result is weight loss without depriving!

Sara Holliday MFT, CPT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, fitness professional and proud mom of two boys with a passion for helping women get fit and feel beautiful from the inside out. Have a question for her? Email: info@fitbysara.com and visit: http://www.fitbysara.com .