Did you know keeping an eye on how you chew food or how much tea you drink can influence how your clothes fit?
With our tips, you can even tuck into bacon and eggs for breakfast — and burn calories while shopping. So don’t worry, we’ll have you zipping up that dress in no time.
Drink Grapefruit Juice
Researchers at the University of California in the US found grapefruit juice could help prevent weight gain – and some experts believe it can help you process fat quicker.
The study, published in PLoS One magazine, found that mice fed a high-fat diet and grapefruit juice gained 18 per cent less weight than when they just drank water.
Scientists also found the juice helps maintain blood glucose levels, which would make you feel fuller for longer.
Eat eggs for breakfast
Having a breakfast high in protein – such as eggs and bacon – helps to curb your appetite for longer, research suggests.
Those who mainly eat carbs for their first meal of the day – or who skip breakfast altogether – were found to have steadier blood sugar levels throughout the morning after eating protein.
Better control over this is known to stave off hunger, meaning slimmers are less likely to overeat later in the day.
Count your mouthfuls
Counting your mouthfuls could help you lose weight more effectively than counting calories.
Researchers at America’s Clemson University found that monitoring how many mouthfuls you eat could help you lose weight.
Their study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, found that those who knew how many bites they had reduced their overall intake during a meal.
It is thought 100 bites a day is the key to effective weight loss.
Chewing gum
Feeling peckish between meals? Then chew gum.
A study presented at an Annual Scientific Meeting of the Obesity Society conference found chewing gum after lunch reduced hunger and eased cravings in dieters.
Having just one piece helped people reduce their calorie intake from sugar by 39 calories.
Chewing gum was also found to reduce stress and anxiety.
Eat at the table
Turning off the television and putting down your smartphone while sitting at the table should help you drop a few pounds.
Simply sitting down while eating and concentrating solely on your food could help you to consume 30 per cent less, according to Canadian researchers.
Another study carried out at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the US found cutting down on telly and eating at the table was likely to reduce the chances of a person becoming overweight or obese.
Think yourself slim
If you hope for it hard enough, you might just fit into your party dress after all.
Simply imagining your favourite chocolate bar helps to reduce your overall calorie intake, according to researchers from Pennsylvania in the US.
They discovered that just thinking about your favourite food reduces your overall consumption of it.
It is thought the visualisation can activate your senses in the same way as the real thing, increasing the chances of feeling satisfied.
Drink water before meals
Don’t confuse hunger for thirst. Regularly sipping water should reduce the chances of this happening.
And having a pint of water within half an hour of eating should reduce your overall calorie intake, according to researchers from Birmingham.
Of the 80 people they studied, half drank still water before eating.
They lost a total of 10lb each on average over a 12-week period.
The others, on average lost fewer than 2lb each.
Have a cuppa
Brits love their tea and it is the most popular drink in the world after coffee. Now tea has been found to promote weight loss.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed that tea polyphenols and the caffeine content in tea promote energy burn and fat loss, with those who regularly brew up the hot drink burning up to 100 additional calories over a 24-hour period.
The clinicians also found those who drink tea tend to be slimmer than those who don’t.
Get some kip
It might seem like a good idea to set your alarm two hours early for a long workout every morning.
But missing out on sleep is likely to have a negative effect on your waistline. Research has found that people who don’t get enough sleep buy more food the following day.
They are also likelier to opt for high-calorie and high-sugar treats and to consume as many as 500 extra calories over the day. So aim to get yourself a solid eight hours.
Meditate
YOU are more likely to have a belly if you are stressed, as the stress hormone cortisol forces you to store fat around your midriff.
Stress is also linked to over-eating, according to researchers in Georgia in the US.
Meditation is shown to reduce stress levels and there could help you lose weight.
The relaxation technique is also shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association.
2-day fast
EATING only within an eight-hour window or reducing your calories two days of the week should be enough to spur your body into fat loss.
Studies show fasting is an effective way to lose weight.
Other positive effects include reducing cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of diabetes and improving concentration.
Participants of a fasting study conducted by researchers in Illinois, US, found it also eases inflammation, which is linked to the onset of some cancers.
Exercise for a minute
YOU don’t have to spend hours in the gym every day – you could opt for a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout instead.
Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, found that just 60 seconds a day of intense exercise could be enough. After 12 weeks, participants in the study upped their endurance by 12 per cent. So every additional little movement helps.
Researchers from Granada found that a high-intensity workout with electro-stimulation can help burn up to 30 per cent more calories.
Chew chew chew
DON’T count your calories – instead, try counting how many times you chew each mouthful.
Chewing each mouthful 40 times reduces a person’s overall intake of food by 12 per cent, according to scientists from China.
Their research compared those who chewed 15 times with those who chewed 40 times.
Those who chewed more often had lower levels of the hunger hormone in their blood.
Eat Avocados
THEY are high in fat and loaded with calories but avocados can help to keep hunger at bay. Having half an avocado as part of your lunch can curb hunger throughout the rest of the afternoon, according to a study published in the Nutrition Journal.
The fruit is loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids, which improve brain function. And it is high in vitamins B, E and K which are known to help protect your skin.
If all else fails buy spanx:
BUY Spanx
She says: “If your ‘little black dress’ diet still hasn’t started, shapewear will be your best friend. Wearing a slip dress underneath your frock will instantly streamline your lumps.
“Look to Spanx and M&S for styles that mould to your figure but will make you feel naturally curvaceous.”
Although we like to think we know it all, we want to hear from our followers about what you want to know over the Christmas Period. So tweet @Ppursuits with the hashtag #ppallwewant4xmas and we’ll do our very best to deliver the festive advice you want to see this holiday.
The best idea will reserve the 12th blog of Christmas on Saturday 24th December. Get your entries in before Monday 19th December to have your say! Stay tuned on Twitter to see if your idea made it!