If weight loss feels like a forever struggle, consider upping your fiber intake! Believe it or not, fiber is one of the best methods to losing weight, and it’s one of the easiest to access. Here are a few reasons fiber is an effective (and efficient) way to drop those stubborn pounds.

Reducing the Energy Density of Foods

While there are plenty of nuances, the basic premise of weight loss is to make sure that the energy you expend is less than the energy you take in. Foods that are high in fiber tend to be less energy dense than foods that are low in fiber. In other words, the amount of energy required to digest fiber rich foods is higher than that of foods lacking fiber. The daily recommended fiber intake is between 25-35 grams. You can access fiber easily in many vegetables, whole grains, and proteins like nuts or meats. Mix these into your meals and snacks, and your meals will work to your benefit in helping you lose weight.

Increasing Feelings of Satiety

Because fiber takes longer to digest, your stomach does not empty quickly after eating fiber! Eating more fiber tends to lead to feelings of satiety, or fullness. If you've learned to stop eating when you're no longer hungry, getting to the point where you feel fuller sooner because you are eating more fiber can help with weight loss. Your overall calorie intake decreases as you require less to satisfy your hunger! Because you want to be in a calorie deficit in order to lose weight, lower calorie intake can help you reach that deficit easier.

Good Gut Bacteria

Fiber promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach! As your body processes and breaks down foods in the stomach, good bacteria plays a big role in absorbing the nutrients from foods you eat. The better your gut bacteria, the better the nutrient absorption! Your metabolism is boosted, allowing you to process food faster and more efficiently than average. Plus, your body is better equipped to keep from becoming insulin resistant, which is a common (and dangerous) problem for many people and makes weight loss extremely difficult.

Overcome the walls to your weight loss issues by simply implementing more fiber into your meals and snacks. You will feel more energized, more full after eating, and your stomach will be helping your entire body to receive the nutrients it needs to be healthy and happy!

Read this next: 3 Foods You Need Less of in Your Diet

3 Tips for a Successful 2019 and Beyond

(Family Features) The demands of today’s always-connected culture can make finding balance in life nearly impossible. Between work, school and extracurricular activities, schedules can be crazy, and setting aside time to exercise is often difficult.

For Performance Enhancement Specialist Emily Hutchins, balance is key to seeing hard work turn into lifelong, healthy habits.

“Whether my clients are striving to lose those last couple pounds or completing their 100th marathon, the most important thing to me is that they're on track to a long life of great health,” Hutchins said.

To help build easy, long-term fitness habits and set yourself up for a successful year of healthy living, Hutchins recommends these tips.

Get Real
Whether trying a new workout class, joining a local gym or training for your first marathon, set an attainable fitness goal you have confidence in. Finding a workout plan you enjoy or a friend to hold you accountable can help establish a routine. While falling into old habits can happen as the year goes on, setting realistic intentions can help you stay on track and avoid excuses.

Recover Smarter
Your journey to better health doesn’t end at the finish line or when you get in your car after a fitness class. In fact, what you put into your body post-workout can be a critical piece of your fitness path and help prepare you for your next workout so you can keep working toward your goals throughout the year.

Hutchins recommends low-fat chocolate milk after a tough workout to help repair, rebuild and refuel muscles. With natural, high-quality protein to build lean muscle, fluids and electrolytes to replace what you lose in sweat, calcium for strong bones and the right carb-to-protein ratio to refuel exhausted muscles, chocolate milk is the real deal for real recovery.

Relax and Unwind
Make sure to give yourself a break, relax and unwind, too. It is important to refuel both your body and mind for balance in the midst of a busy schedule. Reset with something you love to do like cooking or curling up with a good book. This can help you recharge to take on the next day and the next workout.

It takes real work day-in and day-out to build healthy habits that can benefit you long-term. Setting goals, recovering properly and taking care of your mind and body can jumpstart a better and stronger you. For more information on the benefits of recovering with chocolate milk, visit builtwithchocolatemilk.com.

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