8 Small and Simple Lifestyle Changes That Will Keep the Pounds Off

If you're auditioning for a future dance audition, one of the things you should do is to get rid of extra pounds in your body. We all know that going beyond or below the recommended body mass index is unhealthy, and this is emphasized in professional cheerleading.

While it is true that working out is a great way to lose weight, there are methods that don’t require much of an effort. So, for aspiring professional cheerleaders, Pro Cheer Life brings you eight easy lifestyle changes you can start with.

1. Drink more water - plain and simple.

Yes, it is a lot more satisfying to have a soda or a juice after a meal. However, sweetened drinks and juices give you extra calories you don't need. Water doesn't just save you money, it's a lot healthier. Studies show that drinking water helps in boosting the body’s metabolism. It has been demonstrated that dieters who drank 17 ounces of water half an hour before meals ate fewer calories and lost 44% more weight than those who didn’t.

2. Choose black coffee.

Love coffee? Some people just can't get enough of coffee, especially if they need it to start the day right. Instead of adding creamer, go for black coffee. This is known to contain anti-oxidants. Black coffee also boosts metabolism and helps in burning fat. Remember to skip the sugar as this defeats the purpose.

3. Reduce your sugar intake.

As previously mentioned, sugar contains calories. In fact, 1 serving (1 cube) is equal to 9 calories. This explains why in order to lose weight, you should take less of it. Food options that contain sugar are your favorite desserts and some packaged goods. So, better check those labels.

4. Go Pro-tein.

A diet that's rich in protein boosts metabolism and keeps your stomach full for longer periods of time. This results in you eating less and taking in fewer calories. Choose to include livestock products such as beef, pork, chicken meat, and eggs in your diet. Whey protein is also an ideal choice if you're actively working out - which you should.

5. Adopt a high fiber diet.

This is the most advised method given to those who want to lose weight. Like protein, a high fiber meal has a high satiety effect which leaves you less likely to feel hungry sooner. Add vegetables like lettuces, carrots, and cabbages. Fruits like watermelons, apples, and cucumbers can be eaten for snacks.

6. Include probiotics in your diet.

Recently, I’ve written an article about the best probiotic foods to incorporate into your diet. Probiotic foods help in weight loss because they improve your gut health and restore the gut flora.

7. Avoid sleep deprivation.

Time and again, it has been proved that those who have bad sleeping habits gain weight significantly. This is because a lack of sleep causes the release of unhealthy levels of the hormone cortisol - a hormone that's responsible for an increase in hunger and appetite.

8. Don’t fast - choose to eat healthy instead.

In terms of losing weight, the common misconception to not gain pounds is to take nothing at all. This is wrong. When fasting occurs, the body goes into a conservation mode which burns calories slower. And when you go back to eating, you tend to overcompensate. Stick to a healthier eating plan instead for a successful weight loss.

We know, lifestyle changes can be hard which is why we've made these tips simpler for anyone who wants to boost her weight loss efforts as part of pro cheer preparation. Good luck!

Get Started With Fitness And Flexibility

Professional Cheerleading is a lifestyle - A lifestyle dedicated to fitness.

Cheerleaders are renowned for staying fit, flexible, and strong so they can give out their best performance in the arena. However, achieving that wow-worthy, toned physique doesn’t happen overnight. You need to arm yourself with the right daily workouts.

With that, we are offering you our fun, FREE (for a LIMITED time) POM FIT™ INTRO CLASS that ensures powerful cardio moves you can keep up with.

To take your cheerleading fitness to the next level, we have POM FIT™: GAMEDAY1™ - a series of full-body cardio classes that include a body stretch class, kick stretch class, abdominal workout class, and more.

Join a POM FIT™ class below:

POM FIT™ INTRO CLASS (Free for a LIMITED time)

POM FIT™: GAMEDAY1™ ($27.00 USD)