The night time is great for dates, watching movies, doing work, and Internet surfing. This is also a perfect time for weight loss. How? Check out these six bedtime rituals that can help you drop the unwanted pounds without exerting so much effort:

Drink lots of water

Water helps flush out your system to get rid of toxins. It also helps take away any water retained in your body. If you do not want to be up all night rushing to the bathroom, stop your water intake one hour before bedtime.

Focus on low-sodium meals

Bloating is caused by water retention. You will retain more water when you consume foods rich in sodium, so skip those chips and salty meals. The salt will stay in your system overnight, which is why you experience waking up puffier than usual.

Consider exercising at night

Exercising regularly can help get rid of water retention. It was once believed that exercising close to bedtime can keep you awake all night. The last studies, however, revealed that people who work out after work often experience a good night’s sleep.

Pack your meals

Restaurants often serve meals containing twice the number of calories that you should be taking in one sitting. Save yourself from the diet-wrecking meals by preparing your meals the night before. If you cannot avoid eating out, then consume only half of the serving.

Lower temperature before sleeping

It has been long known that sleeping can help your body burn more calories, and avoid binge eating. Recent studies show that people who sleep in a 66-degree room can burn up to seven percent more calories than those who snoozed at 75 degrees.

Turn off the lights

Melatonin is the hormone responsible for giving you a good night’s sleep. Many people take melatonin supplements to give themselves a sound snooze. You can, however, induce melatonin naturally by sleeping in complete darkness. When you have ample sleep, your body will burn more calories and prevent you from overeating.