Slimming down through the ages
1950s
Meals in the 50’s tended to be much simpler. Diets consisted mainly of meat and vegetables. They also contained less carbohydrates and alcohol. Since the diet was high in animal fat, oil, and full-fat diary - maintaining a stable weight relied mostly on portion control.
Weight loss tip from the 50s: Clean your house more. Housewives would burn more than 1000 calories a day, simply by doing housework and chores.
1960s
Processed food gained popularity and manufacturers began producing frozen meals. Brands started making “low-calorie” claims to entice men and women to join the weight loss movement. Fad diets were a big thing, and so were weight watcher programs. Woman were encouraged to control what they ate and to stick to pre-planned meals.
Weight Loss tip from the 60s: Eat smaller portions and zero excuses. Eating appropriate portions will help fuel your calorie burning sessions.
1970s
Meal replacements were all the craze. A lack of nutritional knowledge meant consumers believed that guzzling liquid instead of eating would burn fat. Research now explains the dangers of removing solid food and that such fads should be used in conjunction with healthy meals to achieve the physique we want.
Weight Loss tip from the 70s: Eat proper meals during the day to fuel your body for physical activity. Nowadays the weight loss products on our shelves contain the right vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to promote safe slimming.
1980s
1980sTime to get your aerobics gear on and kick it with your fitness instructor. Women got dressed up in leotards, tights, and sweatpants to hit the gym. Working out, strength training and yoga saw more people losing weight with guidance from trainers. The 80’s brought colour and fun to fitness.
Weight loss tip from the 80s: Get a personal trainer. Having someone guide you through your weight loss journey takes the stress out of exercise. The right program can help you see results much quicker.
1990s
People continued attending regular aerobic classes and started to crush diet conventions. Manufacturers had more pressure to prove the safety of their products and the pharmaceutical industry exploded within the diet culture. Vitamins and pills became popular to support a healthy lifestyle.
Weight loss tip from the 90s: Take vitamins and supplements. This remains popular in the 20th century. Dieting and processed foods can reduce nutrient uptake. Vitamins and supplements can help maintain your body’s balance.
21 Century
Although we have a better understanding about dieting and intuitive exercising, we are faced with all kinds of new problems. Stress predominately affects our efforts towards weight-loss. Many people are turning to alcohol to cope with stressful situations. Drinking alcohol can hinder your weight loss journey due to its calorie count and slows your metabolism. It can also slow down muscle building and recovery.
Weight loss tip from the 20th century cut-back on your booze. Enjoy a drink or two, but don’t over do it. Try low calorie alternatives like vodka or whiskey.
TOP WEIGHT LOSS TIP OVER THE DECADES
It’s clear no matter what decade, eating a healthy and balanced diet as well as regularly exercising will do wonders for weight loss. Eat a wide variety of healthy foods, from vegetables and fruit to healthy fats. Food will fuel your workout. Raising your heart rate and building the level of intensity of your exercise is the recipe for fat-burning. Consistency will pay off.
Try: Fill half of your plate with fruit and vegetables, a quarter with whole grains, and another quarter with protein. Remember no two weight loss journeys’ look the same. Do what’s best for your body and good luck on achieving your personal goals.