Are you struggling with excess pounds? (Who isn’t, right?) Along with discipline and determination, these are my 12 best weight loss tips.

1. Find an Accountability Partner

Losing weight is hard, and going it alone is even worse. Find someone in a similar situation that you can genuinely talk to—not a saboteur in disguise! This could be in-person or online, so long as regular contact is maintained. A lot of people succeed with group help, like Weight Watchers.

2. Moderation is key

Only eat when you are hungry and then, do not overeat. I repeat, do not overeat. This will go a long way in curbing the pounds. If you have a habit of eating while you are on the computer or sitting in front of the TV, try some healthy snacks instead of chips and cookies. Not only will you get in some great nutrients without much thinking about it, you’ll also save yourself a lot of calories. As an aside, limit vegging or lounging in front of any kind of screen as much as possible—this will also help keep the pounds off.

3. Avoid processed foods

Not only are they usually high in calories, they’re loaded with bad chemicals. Rid your cupboards of anything artificial and then don’t buy a replacement. Along the same lines, avoid anything that says “Reduced fat, reduced calories, reduced sugar…” these types of fake foods are junk. Instead of eating artificial foods, learn to enjoy whole foods.

4. Avoid sugar

This is a big one for me and probably my very hardest since I admit to having a sweet tooth. What has helped me is to just not have sweets in the house as much as possible. Also, when I’m craving something sweet, I will eat a piece of fruit, make fresh juice, or a smoothie instead.

5. Drink water

If you feel hungry, try drinking a big glass of water and see if your hunger goes away (a lot of the time we mistake thirst for hunger). Also try swapping sweetened coffee drinks and soda for plain water; by cutting the caffeine/sugar addiction, you’ll cut a lot of calories. If you don’t like water, try herbal teas.

My personal goal is 8 glasses of water daily. I have a huge mug that I fill up with ice water and carry around with me. Having it nearby me throughout the day means that I drink more. For extra zest, I’ll often squeeze a little lemon or lime. Crystal Light is good too for those who like their flavors.

6. Eat a diet high in fiber

I try to make the majority of my diet consist of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Not only do you feel better eating this way, it’s better for you, and it’s hard to gain extra weight on this kind of diet! I aim for a combination of both raw and cooked produce, plus good carbs like oatmeal.

7. Incorporate more exercise into your life

Little bursts of energy can add up over time. Park farther from the door of a store and briskly walk. Take the stairs whenever you can. Stand instead of sitting. Jog instead of walking. Do a couple sit ups or jumping jacks. If you only have 5 minutes, use it, because some is always better than none.

8. Don’t eat after 8:00 PM

How often do you feel nighttime munchies? Constantly? Me too! My solution is to stop eating late at night. This might seem like a strange one, but it works. I also sleep much better on an empty stomach.

9. Try a new hobby or interest

Many people may be unaware that eating can be a hobby. If you spend a lot of time focused on buying/cooking/consuming food, you may want to find a distraction. Why not try to volunteer, organize your closets, plant a garden, do your nails, take a class, start a business…anything away from food that keeps you busy. Pretty soon, you’ll realize that you’re so busy doing other things, you won’t need to mindlessly munch out of boredom.

10. Keep a food diary

Visual people love this tip because it’s a concrete way to keep track of calories in vs. calories out. By tracking food/water, we’re forced to remember the little things that often go unnoticed: a few bites of cake, the kids’ leftovers, a mocha latte, etc.

I write down my food, water, and vitamins which really helps to keep me focused.

11. Forget the gym membership

Ok, that sounds crazy, right? But let’s be honest: most people who have a gym membership rarely use it. Unless you’re truly going to visit the gym on a regular basis, it’s just a waste of money. I’d much rather walk outside, especially in a nice park or at the beach. Not only is it more scenic, it’s free. In the winter, or during bad weather, I’ll walk at the mall.

12. Find Inspiration

This may sound goofy, but I sometimes tape pics of celebs on my fridge for inspiration. Personally, it’s always been my dream to have a figure like Raquel Welch did in her prime. To have a belly as flat and flawless as hers, I’d definitely need some professional help, like CoolSculpting. 

There really are no quick fixes when it comes to weight loss. Fad diets don’t work, because nobody can stick with starvation. It’s better to think of it as a lifestyle program, a new way of living and eating. It may not happen overnight, but if you stick with it, the pounds will come off.

 

What’s your best weight loss tip?