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Stop Trying To Reinvent The Wheel - Top 5 Habits For Fat Loss

November 17, 20245 min read

Are you on the hunt for a toned physique and yearning to feel fabulous in your own skin but tired of spinning your wheels and going nowhere? Then you need to ditch the notion of overhauling your life with complex diets and grueling gym sessions. Real fat loss doesn't require reinventing the wheel. Instead, it's all about embracing a handful of straightforward, yet powerful habits. In this post, we'll unveil the top 5 habits that are not just pivotal for shedding those stubborn pounds but are also key instruments in boosting your overall health, wellness, and most importantly, long term success. Get ready to prioritize quality sleep, keep your body moving with consistent training, fuel up with the right nutrition, and stay hydrated. Let's dive into these life-changing routines that will guide you towards effective fat loss and a healthier you!

Prioritize Quality Sleep

Its so easy for life to get crazy and out of control, and when it does, sleep is often the first thing that we throw out the window. Unfortunately, that's throwing the baby out with the bath water. Getting enough quality sleep is often overlooked, but it’s ABSOLUTELY - and yes we went full caps there to get the point across- essential for not just fat loss but how we feel, perform, and process everything around us. When you’re well-rested, your body regulates hunger hormones better, helping curb cravings and reduce overeating. Aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to keep your energy up, metabolism steady, and recovery optimized. Quality sleep will make every other habit in your routine that much easier. All the parents out there know, if you cant get that much sleep in at once, don't be afraid to throw a nap or two in there!

Keep Moving & Train Consistently

Aim for a blend of cardio and strength training - strength training helps build lean muscle, which in turn boosts your metabolic rate, while cardio will increase your overall calorie burn. If you have to choose, prioritize the strength training, as long term, the muscle retention/building are far more important. Adding in consistent low intensity movement, like walking, helps burn calories, keep physical stress down, and keeps your metabolism active. Your training should not be intense every day; even short walks or active hobbies contribute to your daily movement goal. Remember, your main goal during a fat loss phase is to keep your muscle and strength and manage your stress.

Protein for the Win

Eating enough protein is a game-changer for fat loss. Not only does it help preserve muscle mass (key for a toned appearance), but protein is also highly satiating, meaning it keeps you full longer. Include a primary protein source in each meal, whether it’s lean meat, fish, eggs, tofu, or legumes. A trap people can fall into is thinking foods like nuts, peanut butter, avocado, etc. are a protein source. While yes, they do contain protein, they are primarily a fat source and it would be incredibly challenging to get your required protein from them. So stick to meats, protein powders, and vegetarian replacements instead. This small change can make it easier to stick to your calorie goals and prevent hunger-driven snacking.

Load Up on Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are a nutrient-dense and low-calorie option that helps you stay full while providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They’re a natural way to add volume to your meals without adding too many calories, making them perfect for a fat-loss diet. Plus, their high fiber content supports gut health, digestion, immune system, and keeps your energy steady throughout the day. Now, if you're like us, then going from 2-3 servings a day to 6-8 can be really challenging, but we promise, its so worth it! Yes you heard us right, we want you to aim for 6-8 servings every. single. day. Now, that being said, even we don't hit that every day, we're human after all, but its a really solid goal to build up to; Just start small and make sustainable changes!

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential for countless processes in the body and plays a pivotal role in our overall health. From aiding digestion to supporting metabolic functions, proper hydration allows our bodies to work at their best. Even our mood can be influenced by hydration levels—dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating. Drinking enough water can also help keep hunger at bay; sometimes, what we think is hunger is actually our body’s way of signaling thirst. So, how much water should you aim for? The general guideline is about half your body weight in ounces a day, but if you’re active or sweating heavily, you may need more. If you're like a lot of our clients and seem to hate drinking water, try infusing your water with natural flavors to make staying hydrated easier and more enjoyable. Fresh slices of lemon, cucumber, or berries can give your water a refreshing twist, making it even easier to meet your hydration goals, which will help you feel energized, alert, and ready to take on the day!

Build These Habits for Lasting Results

We know that you've probably heard all of these things before, but as long as they keep being ignored, we will continue to stress the basics. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, if you take your time, avoid chasing quick fixes, and do things properly you will get results. By focusing on these five simple habits—sleep, movement, protein, fruits and veggies, and hydration—you’re setting up a solid foundation for fat loss and overall health. Remember, consistency is the secret ingredient. Stick with these habits, and you’ll see your body respond over time!

Ethan Tripp

Co-Owner of HFS LIFE, Ethan Tripp has a love for fitness and a wealth of experience, He is committed to guiding clients from all walks of life on their fitness journey. He enjoys discussing health and wellness in its many forms and loves to share that passion with others.

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