How you start your morning can make or break your weight-loss goals. let us face it — you lose weight based on what you eat, but what if we tell you it is not only about what you put in your mouth? Having small, simple habits that you do every morning can help establish a lifestyle of making healthier choices and improving your metabolism throughout the day. According to Dr Rishi Kapoor of IVF Mantra, Faridabad, "Your morning is the launchpad for your body to burn fat."
Here are seven simple habits to help you stay on track.
1. Health Benefits of Drinking Water First Thing
After hours without fluids, your body is slightly dehydrated, and this can reduce our metabolic rate which slows it down overnight. A morning glass of water is rehydrating and digestive, and could even curb unnecessary grazing.
Pro tip: Add lemon slices for flavour and an extra hit of vitamin C.
2. Benefits of Eating a Protein-Packed Breakfast
Having no breakfast might lead to binge eating later. Eating a well-rounded breakfast high in protein helps satiate your appetite longer and can decrease cravings as well as help your blood sugar levels stay stable throughout the day.
Try: Eggs, Greek yogurt, tofu scramble, or a protein smoothie.
3. Get Your Morning Sunlight
Natural light exposure supports your circadian rhythm, which can lead to better sleep, which can in turn help you keep off the weight. Exposure to morning sunlight can also improve your mood and energy levels, making you more likely to stay active.
4. Benefits of Moving Your Body Early
Walking in the morning, practicing yoga, or doing some light exercise burns calories and stimulates metabolism. Just 15 minutes of moving your body can help set up your day for success.
Tip from Dr. Kapoor: "Exercising first thing in the morning makes you more mindful of what you eat the rest of the day.
5. Practice Mindful Eating
Also Read: 8 health benefits of brushing at night: Control diabetes, heart disease and more
Research has shown that eating breakfast with distractions such as scrolling through your phone or rushing, results in eating excess food. Chewing slowly and appreciating the flavours will keep portions in check.
6. Plan Your Meals for the Day
Taking 5–10 minutes to plan out your meals decreases the likelihood of reaching for calorie-dense, processed food when hunger strikes. Have healthy snacks such as nuts, fruit, or hummus available.
7. Avoid Sugary Beverages in Mornings
Having your first drink of the day to be sugar-sweetened, whether that be coffee, juice, or energy drinks, elevates blood sugar levels, which then crashes and triggers hunger around mid-morning levels.
Instead try: Black coffee, unsweetened tea, or water infused with herbs or citrus.
Weight loss is about building consistent, sustainable habits — not relying on quick fixes. In Dr. Kapoor’s words: “Consistency over intensity — what you do most mornings matters more than the once-in-a-while big effort.”
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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