Let's face it, weight loss isn't always super easy. But using the 9 steps below, I'm confident you can start to lose weight easier than ever before. So let's jump right in...
1. Take it slowly
Ever heard the expression "eat an elephant one bite at a time?" or "Rome wasn't built in a day?"
Well, weight loss is the same way. As difficult as it is to accept, you can't work out just once or say no to a brownie just once and wake up the next day 50 pounds lighter with a rock hard stomach!
However, that's not to say that you can't lose weight quickly. You can, just not immediately.
So it's best to just start substituting one for one. This is something I did and it worked great for me. Just once a day, I would substitute my regular brownie/cookie/small bag of chips for some kind of vegetable or fruit.
Then I moved it to two a day. And pretty soon I was really starting to enjoy eating fruits and veggies, and it became a habit.
2. Get an accountability partner
No matter what you're trying to do, things always work better when you have someone to support you, and give you a kick in the butt when you need it. Finding someone who also wants to lose weight is even better. What works best for most people (especially those who are very competitive) is to have a contest or bet for who loses the most weight in a specified period of time.
3. A little less carbs goes a long way
No, you don't have to stop eating carbs completely. You don't have to start some fad diet where you can only eat meat and that's it. All you have to do is stop eating so many empty starchy foods like pastas and white bread. You will see a difference.
And always keep rule #1 in mind. If you can't fathom not eating bread at all - simply make it wheat bread instead.
4. Make a commitment
Many times, simply making a commitment and setting a specific goal is sometimes the push your subconscious needs to get things done. The more specific the goal, the more effective it will be. Something like "I will lose at least 45 pounds by May 15th." is perfect. Then, put it up on your fridge or somewhere where it'll be seen every day.
5. Stop drinking soda
You wouldn't even believe how much of a difference this makes. My best friend commited to not drinking soda for 40 days for religious reasons - and after the 40 days she had lost 15 pounds - without changing any of her other diet or exercise habits!
6. Find out what "good stuff" you like
I don't know about you, but I've never been much of a veggie or..."fruitie" lover. As a kid, my dad was a pushover and never made me eat anything I didn't want. So it was really hard for me to stop eating cookies and start eating vegetables...until I figured out there were some that actually tasted good!
So the trick is to find out which ones you like. If you don't like any, figure out which ones you can tolerate - and chow down on em' until you grow to like it. Sounds crazy, but it actually works. Take it from someone who used to despise vegetables.
7. Drink water throughout the day.
I cannot stress the importance of this enough. So don't take my word for it. Dr. Howard Flaks, a bariatric (obesity) specialist in Beverly Hills, Calif, says, "By not drinking enough water, many people incur excess body fat, poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, increased toxicity in the body, joint and muscle soreness and water retention."
Yes, water retention. As in bloating. The truth is, when you don't drink enough water, your body retains water to compensate for it.
Numerous doctors all over the world stress the importance of drinking water to aid in weight loss. Fat burning is a dehydrating process, and your body needs water in order to efficiently burn calories and lose body fat.
8. Sometimes there is such thing as "good enough"
Alright, I'm sure a lot of weight loss "gurus" are going to disagree with me on this one, but I don't care. When it comes to eating veggies, dipping them in ranch dressing is not completely sabatoging your efforts.
Sure, it'd be more healthy and less fattening than without dressing - but the way I see it - and this is strictly my opinion, but a carrot with ranch dressing on it is a whole heck of a lot better than a bowl of sugary, fattening ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and topped with fattening whipped cream!
I mean, come on. If you just can't handle choosing a plain carrot over a banana split - give yourself a break and at least let yourself have the dip!
9. Get rid of all easily excessible junk food.
When you go to the store, make sure you are not hungry and DO NOT buy any junk food at all. Then, when you're getting a craving - knowing you'll have to leave the house to get it will make it harder, and you'll be less likely to give in. And if you have a 7-11 and an ice cream place right next to your house like I do - blindfold yourself every time you step outside. ;o)
Now get out there and just do it!
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