Losing weight is tough, but there are plenty of little things you can do to help yourself shed pounds and feel good. These 25 tricks and tips can help you set and achieve your weight loss goals, and get back to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Define Your Weight Loss Goals – When you set out to lose weight, it’s important to set realistic goals for yourself. It’s good to have a challenge, but it can be frustrating and off-putting if you set expectations that you can’t possibly meet.
Adjust Your Lifestyle – It’s going to take some big changes to start shedding the pounds, so be ready to adjust your diet and set aside your time for exercise and the rest that your body is going to need.
Set Realistic Benchmarks – Plan a long-term strategy for not just losing weight, but living healthier. Set benchmarks for yourself along the way to ease into a new, healthier lifestyle. Give yourself a realistic goal for the first few days to ease into a change, then start amping up the challenge as exercise and healthy eating become a part of your life.
Use Smaller Plates – While planning a healthy diet can make a big change, simply cutting down your portion sizes can make a big difference in your caloric intake. Use smaller plates to limit your portions, or try to leave 20% of your food on your plate at the end of each meal (don’t just leave the veggies!). It’s a shame to waste, but that’s 20% less calories, and it will get you accustomed to eating smaller portions so your stomach will quickly begin to expect less intake.
Order Wisely – If you don’t have time to prepare all of your own food, you might be stuck with eating out a lot. Pick a salad and a healthy sandwich over the cheeseburger and fries next time. Most restaurants try to offer health-conscious items, and they are usually pretty tasty, even if they might not be your first pick.
Pick A Date – Choose a big date in your future to reach your goal by. This will give you something to work towards, and can encourage you along the way. An upcoming wedding or a class reunion are great choices, or you can make a plan for that first summer day at the beach.
Skip the Junk Food Aisle – Avoid the temptation of the salty and sweet snacks you love. They might be convenient and far too tasty for their own good, so avoid keeping them around. Instead, opt for healthier snack options like carrots and hummus, celery and peanut butter, or tasty fruits.
Buy a Cookbook – There are a lot of delicious and healthy things you can make yourself, and many of them are not that hard. Cooking can be a lot of fun and good homemade snacks will help you avoid processed foods.
Plan Your Meals – If you can make the time to prepare your own meals, than you can save a lot of money and eat much more healthy food. Plan ahead for the week and spend a few hours preparing healthy and delicious recipes. Portion them out so you have your meals at work and at home ready to eat.
Challenge Yourself – Don’t let yourself off easy with this. Losing weight is difficult, but it is doable. Set goals that push your limits, if you are serious about them you might be surprised what you are capable of!
Get a Personal Trainer – If you are serious about weight loss, a personal trainer can make a huge difference. They are experts on the matter, and though they can be more expensive than doing it yourself, having someone to encourage and challenge you along the way might be completely worth the money.
Breakfast of Champions – Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. A healthy, simple, and fiber-rich breakfast of around 300 calories can get your metabolism moving and give you the energy you need to work, work out, and feel good.
Eat more Greens – Fill that plate up with a little more salad and a little less sandwich. The more you fill up on healthy vegetables, the less hungry you’ll be for the less nutritious entree.
Purge Your Pantry – This is a difficult step, but it can make a big difference. Empty your cabinets and try to start from scratch. Get rid of anything processed, high in salts, sugars, and saturated fats. Odds are you will have a pretty bare pantry after this (more room for the healthy grains and veggies you’ll start filling it with). You can donate nonperishable items to people who need them more than you; you’ll feel good about yourself while pushing away temptation for your less healthy eating habits.