4 ways to lose weight while using cannabis
Did you know that people who use cannabis are less likely to be obese than people who do not use cannabis? Interesting fact, huh? In fact, per the study's lead author "Over a 3-year period, all participants showed a weight increase, but interestingly, those who used marijuana had less of an increase, compared to those that never used." The research was led by Omayma Alshaarawy, Ph.D., which appeared in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The research doesn't actually prove any of this, as it was more of an observational study. They don't know if marijuana users are just more aware of their weight due to munchies or if it was cannabis itself.
As someone who uses cannabis for medical and adult-use, and has never been on a diet - I lost 37 pounds while using cannabis. I don't know if cannabis helped me lose weight but I do know that I managed to lose weight while using because I made the decision to eat better and exercise.
Here the tricks that helped me lose weight and they continue to help me lose weight - the right way. And it takes a lot longer.
Keep healthy snacks
When I decided that it was time for me to get serious about losing weight, that meant I had to get serious about what type of snacks I was keeping in the house. And if you are like me with a family that can be hard! Add in that I'm a picky eater, trying to find healthy snacks was a bit of challenge. I'm also fortunate that I don't like most of my son's snacks. So it meant no longer keeping my favorite snacks like cookies, chips, and cereal in the house. Most of my snacks are in the fridge because they are apples, carrots, celery, and hummus. I have a weakness for peanut butter but only for one brand, Peter Pan. Their ingredient list is simple and can be read without feeling like a dumbass. lol. I have a belief about foods I choose to eat - if I can't read the ingredients I don't eat it. Now I'm not perfect at this but over the years I find that I crave those kinds of foods less and less.
Certain strains are better for weight loss than others
I found that when I'm using cannabis during the day using more CBD than THC helps with the munchie feeling. But according to research the cannabinoid that you are really looking for is THCV. It's hard to know how much can be in strains since most labels only tell you the THC and CBD percentages. Also, THCV is considered a minor cannabinoid and is usually at low levels. Here are a few strains with the THCV cannabinoid. Remember less is more!
Durban Poison
Super Silver Haze
Green Crack
ACDC
Lemon G13
You're not really hungry when you're high
If you struggle to find strains with THCV or CBD, remember you are not really hungry. Your brain thinks you are. I have definitely been known to fight a craving or two, especially if I ate within the last hour or something - I know I'm not hungry. If you give in to your munchie feeling do your best to pick healthy snacks and I say the crunchier the better. It takes a lot of energy to chew and that alone will stop me from eating! lol
Follow the 80/20 rule
Images by Wix
I don't use the word diet, in my head, it feels like I'm torching myself by not eating what I want too. Which maybe is the point of the diet, but I love my sweets, especially chocolate and Dr. Pepper, they are my downfall. Which is why I started following the 80/20 rule. I love this rule because it's not a diet, it's teaching you to balance, moderation and indulging without the guilty feeling.
80% of the time I cook and eat with fresh ingredients. I feel great, have energy and over time I crave my bad food less and less.
20% of the time I am drinking Dr. Pepper, eating chocolate anything and lactose-free ice-cream!
Wrapping up
Losing weight is hard enough and I don't believe in being deprived. It generally backfires in the end. So keep healthy snacks around you, follow the 80/20, be mindful of the strains you use and remember that you're not really hungry after you smoke.
Let Me Know
Do you have any other tips or tricks on how you maintain or lose weight while using cannabis? Leave a comment below or shoot me an email.
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