Are These 6 Morning Routines Making You Gain Weight?

Jun 25, 2018 by apost team

When you wake up in the morning, you probably have a typical routine or ritual. You might relax with a cup of coffee, spend time catching up on your social media, or hit the road for a walk or a workout before your day begins. These morning routines can impact how you feel, and in some cases, they can even make you gain weight.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you’re probably working out regularly, watching your calorie intake, and making sure to take in high-quality foods. When you’re doing all of this and you’re still not making any progress, it might be time to check out your morning routine. In some cases, bad morning habits can be causing you to hold on to those extra pounds. By identifying these problem routines and replacing them with healthier habits, you can make it easier to lose weight. 

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Sunlight is a cue to your body that it’s time to start the day. It helps your body start its metabolic processes and burn through calories faster. In fact, research shows that when you keep bedroom dark in the early hours of the day, you miss out on some of your weight-loss potentials. The same study also discovered that participants who expose themselves to sunlight soon after they get out of bed had a lower BMI than participants who got dressed in the dark. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to aim for about 20 minutes of sunlight to start your day.

Getting on the scale is not always fun, but avoiding it in the morning might be causing problems with your weight-loss progress. In fact, it can even prevent you from maintaining a weight loss. A study at Cornell University found that of 162 overweight participants, the people that got on the scale regularly every morning had an easier time losing weight. What’s more, they were able to keep the weight off for longer. According to expert advice, you should hop on the scale every morning to get an accurate picture of your progress and start your day with a weight-loss mindset.

Do you start your day with coffee and nothing else? You might be unintentionally slowing your weight loss. Breakfast plays an important role in your day. It gives you energy and makes you happier and ready to start the day. Healthy, nutrient-packed foods also make it easier to focus and be productive once you get to the office. 

As you’re planning a healthy breakfast, it’s important to choose the right mix of foods. Aim for options that have a blend of protein, fiber, and healthy fat. This power combination keeps you full, helps cut out cravings for sugar, and makes it easier to avoid overeating later in the day. Try yogurt with nuts and a piece of whole-grain toast, oatmeal topped with blueberries, or an egg sandwich on whole-grain bread. 

It’s easy to walk out of your bedroom without making the bed. After all, you have a full day to get to. This tiny habit could be making it harder to lose weight. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people that make it a habit to arrange the covers and pillows on their beds also have an easier time avoiding obesity and problems with sleeping. This small habit can also help you develop stronger willpower, which makes it easier to stick to your calorie goals, according to psychologists. 

If you’re looking to drop some weight, making your bed is an easy, small thing you can do to help. With a neat, well-made bed, you can sleep more comfortably in the evening, which helps you lose weight and have more energy for your daily activities.

Coffee is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning. If you’re only drinking coffee and avoiding water, it could be hurting your health. When you take in multiple cups of coffee, and all of the caffeine that comes with it, it can be problematic for your weight loss and even your health. 

Don’t worry — you don’t have to give up coffee completely. Instead, give your metabolism a boost with water. Two glasses are recommended by experts in the health field. This process gives your body the water it needs to hydrate your skin, get your digestion going, and help you stay fresh. If you need coffee, keep it to one cup. This keeps your caffeine levels low and leaves room for refreshing, pure water. 

Everyone knows that a lack of sleep can have negative effects on your health, but did you know that oversleeping can also be a problem? According to experts, when you sleep too much, it can lead to poor dietary choices and extra pounds. 

When you get too little sleep, it’s hard to concentrate and all too easy to reach for too many calories as you go through your day. When you get too much sleep, it may cause problems with extra weight, as well as diabetes. As you plan your schedule, aim for about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. For most adults, this is the ideal range for easier weight loss and good health.

Do these morning routines sound familiar? With a few simple changes, you can set yourself up for a more successful day of healthy eating and active pursuits. You only get one body — with great habits, you can take care of it. ​​​​​​

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!

Do you have any other tips for healthy morning routines? Let us know in the comments!