2013 is right around the corner and it’s never too early to start thinking about easy ways to lose weight. Many people, including myself, struggle with getting rid of those extra pounds that seem to creep up out of no where. Below are a just a few weight loss ideas that I have found to really help you in your journey to weight loss.
1. Drink an 8 ounce glass of ice water before EACH meal or snack.
Water is essential to losing weight. Many people mistake dehydration for hunger and eat when really they need to hydrate. If you drink a tall glass of water before you eat you will cut your calories with your stomach not being as empty. I am telling you this trick works, try it!!
2. Step on the scale every morning.
Stepping on the scale and seeing that magic number holds you accountable. There will be days when the number goes up and days when the number goes down but you need to be aware each and everyday of the progress you are making. I find that when I weigh myself I tend not to gain but when I don’t a few pounds always seem to creep up.
3. No Late Night Eating.
Resist those late night munchies and instead have a glass of water with a slice of lemon. Late night eating is one of the biggest ways for people to pack on those unwanted pounds and keep them. If you absolutely must snack at night go for a healthy snack like string cheese, celery sticks or even a 100 calorie bag of popcorn.
4. Eat more not less.
Instead of having three large meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) try having 5-6 small meals spread out through the day. This will hopefully prevent you from being hungry and overeating at meal times.
5. Eat your meals on a salad plate instead of a large dinner plate.
This fools your eyes into thinking that you are eating more food when really your eating less.
6. Don’t skip breakfast.
In fact breakfast should be your biggest or second biggest meal of the day. People who skip breakfast tend to have a slower metabolism than people who don’t and this can make it much more difficult to lose those unwanted pounds.
7. Get rid of the Soda
Ok, this one is hard even for me. I am a true pop (that’s what we call it here) aholic! I drink about 1 large soda everyday. Now granted its always diet but even diet is not good for you. All of your drinks should be water when trying to lose weight.
8. Switch to Skim Milk.
If you can’t go cold turkey switch from whole to 2% or 2% to 1%. This is a very easy way to cut calories. I used to drink nothing but 2% and switched to skim a few years ago. I am not gonna lie, it was hard. Now there is no way I could go back. Anything but skim is way to thick.
9. Eat a Peppermint.
If your sweet tooth is taking over, don’t eat a 300 calorie candy bar. Instead try a small peppermint which is not only low in calories but peppermint can actually curb your appetite.
10. Don’t beat yourself up!
This is one of my favorite tips. It’s easy to give in to temptation and devour that giant cupcake or cookie. If you do, it’s OK! Don’t throw all your hard work down the drain over one delicious mistake. Many people think once they give in, that the diet is over and it’s not. Pick yourself back up, learn from your mistake and start over.
These are just a few of my tips on ways to help you lose weight. If you have any tips that you would like to share, I would love to hear them! Leave me a comment below.