8 Unusual Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work

Sometimes our best efforts to do something turn out to be rather unusual. There is no exception when it comes to losing weight. Here are some hilarious and rather unusual weight loss tips and advice that really work.

Funny as it sounds, laughter is actually good for weight loss. When we laugh we burn calories and the harder we laugh, the more we burn. Laughing also utilizes our abdominal muscles as well as our facial muscles, giving our face and abs a nice workout. Laughter is also a good way of relieving stress and we all know that hormones released when we are stressed contribute to weight gain. Furthermore, laughter it increases our heartbeats thereby increasing blood flow throughout our bodies. So the next time you decide to put on a straight face because things aren't going your way, exchange it for a smile and go with cheer because not only will this extend your life, it will help you to lose weight.

Standing may sound like a weird weight loss idea, but in this new era of modern electronics, we sit back and relax while our digital machines do the work. We use our remotes to change the channels and switch the lights. We sit at our desks continuously for hours working on a computer, drive to the store down the block and even sit while a robot sweeps the floor. We allow electronics to entertain and teach our children instead of having some personal fun time with them. With all this it is no wonder we are a heavier generation than previous years. Standing will help us burn some calories. Being on our feet motivates us to move our limbs, walk around, be active and find interesting things to do.

This is really one of the most unusual weight loss tips that actually works. Not sure who started it, but it makes perfect sense. Ever tried chowing down some blue spaghetti with tomato sauce? Sounds yucky doesn't it? Many of the foods we prepared would be visually unappetizing in the color blue. We are naturally inclined to eat foods that are represented by the vegetation colors of nature. Flowers are blue, water appears blue as it reflects the sky; but most of the foods we eat are not naturally blue. Our visual perception of tasty is purple, mauve, red, pink, yellow, orange, green, even black and white. Because of the way that we visually interpret the taste of food, blue is actually an appetite suppressant. Eating with blue utensils, plates and even blue colored foods could help us to eat far less than we normally would.

Several studies have shown that people who sleep less tend to weigh more. How come? Researchers aren't so sure but various factors including hormone activity has been linked to the phenomenon. The most practical ideas though is that if you go to bed by 8 o'clock most evenings, you will avoid the natural craving for food late at night. Makes sense? When we stay up late to watch television or work, we are naturally inclined to over-snack. And really, between the hours of 8 pm to 1 am, we are likely to consume massive amounts of calories. So in true sense, going to bed early is a good strategy for losing weight.

Studies have shown that individuals and communities that grow their own food tend to weigh less. Eating naturally supplies our bodies with vital nutrients and enzymes that help to regulate our body's weight. As an added bonus, managing a garden is a good way to burn calories and save money while doing so. Most of us will probably not be able to grow as much as we would like, but a few simple vegetables and herbs will make a good start.

Sweet foods might not have any less calories than sour foods, but you are more likely to slim down with sour. The chemical composition of some sour fruits for instance, can help reduce our body fat. These fruits include limes, lemons, grapefruits, green apples, pineapples, kiwi fruit, tamarinds and so on. Apart from fruits, substances such as vinegar and red wine contain acidic compounds that are beneficial to weight loss.

If you like spicy foods, then this unusual weight loss tip is just for you. Limited research has shown that peppers in general contain massive amounts of vitamins, trace minerals and other substances that could help you lose weight. Hot peppers contain a substance called capsaicin that is responsible for the burning sensation we get when eaten. This substance is believed to increase the body's metabolic rate by a slight margin. It is also believed to act as an appetite suppressant, making us feel full before completing a meal and continue to give a 'full' sensation long after mealtime. Add a little pepper, especially cayenne to your meals when trying to lose weight. The more you can tolerate, the better off you'll be.

Did you know that mint can help you control your weight? You probably have never even heard of this idea before, but peppermint has many uses. It has long been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The strong aroma of peppermint leaves and peppermint essential oils can have a calming effect on the body as well as act as an appetite suppressant. Simply sniffing a fresh spring of mint or a dab of the essential oil could cause you to involuntarily decrease your calorie intake by over 20 percent. Luckily this herb has a pleasant scent. Carry a small bottle with freshly picked mint with you and smell some for a few seconds just before you eat your meal. If you are unable to acquire fresh peppermint all the time, purchase a bottle of peppermint essential oil and use it instead. There are a few persons who can not tolerate the scent of peppermint. If you are one of the few, try substituting mint with vanilla, rosemary, basil, sage or even lavender. It probably does not matter what you smell, once it is aromatic and natural. The bottom line is that certain scents will calm and pleasure your senses, warding off tension, stress and cravings.