Weight loss can be daunting. And intimidating. And many, many times it’s hard to figure out where to start. So what do you do? You set a goal. But then how do you get there? Well, it may be easier than you think! Because instead of setting huge goals that you will probably end up getting discouraged from, you can start with simple steps to change your life and slim you down! So where to start? How about these six simple steps that anyone can do?
Most people think that to lose weight they have to go to a gym and attend cycling and aerobics classes. This is NOT TRUE! In order to start working towards a slimmer you, just move! Walk around the block with your family. Walk up and down the steps in your home several times a day. Break your workouts up into 10 minute segments of movement. You will be amazed at what a difference these small segments will make! Shoot for three ten minute walks a day. These 30 minutes of exercise will do tons for your heart AND your waist!
A healthy breakfast that is. Did you know that breakfast is what kicks back up your metabolism after a night of being at rest? Start the day with a healthy meal to get your metabolism revved up and going for the day! Try oatmeal and some fruit. Or greek yogurt and an apple. This will start your day right and fill you up, keeping you from falling into the mid-morning snack trap!
Or soft drinks. This is not to say that you can’t have caffeine. Without my BLACK coffee I would not make it through the day. And if I’m feeling a little crazy, I’ll even add a little skim milk to it. What I do not do is order a daily Triple Grande Mocha Latte. Or drink three Pepsi’s a day. These drinks contain tons of empty calories! Statistics indicate that cutting out soft drinks (and coffee loaded with calories) will help the average person lose 20 pounds in a year! So with this one simple step, you can be 20 pounds closer to your ideal you next year at this time!
So you’ve cut out the soft drink and coffee but you need to keep yourself hydrated. Drink water! Lots of it! Did you know that often when you THINK you feel hungry, you are actually thirsty? By keeping water in your system at all times of the day, you will be more likely to beat the urge to snack and instead be inclined to drink CALORIE FREE water!
Have you looked in your pantry lately? Go look. I’m sure you have processed, sugary snacks in there. Throw them away now! Instead replace them with fresh fruits and veggies. That way when you get the urge to snack, you are more likely to grab and apple or some carrots instead of a handful of cookies. After all, you can’t eat what you don’t have and most of us are not likely to head to the grocery store at 10 PM when the cravings hit!
Writing down what you eat can help you make smarter choices. Maybe nobody sees your food journal but you. Still you are going to have to write down those three cookies that you snuck in before dinner. And the act of writing them down may help you to rethink the choice! I write down all my foods prior to eating them. This at least gives me time to think through the decision. Does it stop me from cheating every time? No. Has it prevented me more than once? Definitely!
We often don’t realize that the simply daily things can add up to big results! So take a look at your habits. See what easy changes you can make and get ready to find a slimmer you in 2012!
Good Luck!
I just started a food journal last week. And it really does make a difference. When you go to eat a snack it makes me think twice as I know I will have to write it down.
Thanks for the suggestions! I think the hardest one for me is eat breakfast… I make sure the kids eat but never seem to have enough time to do it myself!
My favorite recommendation is to drink more water. You can lose 5 pounds just by being more hydrated.
You are a mad woman…. Cut out COFFEE? I might end up skinny, but I'd also just be a lazy floppy jellyfish, incapable of doing even the most basic mommy-tasks each day. I can't do it - don't make me!! 🙂
I drink my coffee with just skim milk and sugar free caramel syrup, so it's not bad. And considering it's a life-saving drug, I'll just have to live with the possible weight-gain side effects. It's a common problem with many medications - lol.
I did cut out the delicious chocolate mint creamer that I was using over the holidays, so that helps. But give up coffee completely? NEVER!!
Other than that, great ideas 🙂
Very informative - I know that coke/colas are taboo when you counting calories. But didn’\t realize that coffee would be such a hinderance with water weight gain. Thanks for the information. Cutting down starts right now.
eva urban
Thanks for the suggestions. I dont know how im going to cut out soda. I switched to diet a long time ago but i dont think i can quit
Been trying todo Step 3: Cut the coffee as this is the second time I have heard this.
Been trying to do Step 3: Cut the coffee as this is the second time I have heard this.
Absolutely a food journal is what saves me - when I’m not writing down what I eat, I’m not accountable and I cheat. I know I need to drink more water too…
*phew*
Glad coffee wasn’t fully out of the picture! I have a cup with low-fat milk in the morning and then again in the afternoon.
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Like all your tips. I drink soft drinks but ONLY the diet variety. You can really cut back on calories if you stop drinking the sweetened stuff.
Thanks for the tips! Although, I’m already trim these tips help remind me of what I need to do to sustain my current weight.
April B. says
Very good info to know! I’m always trying to find, small simple ways to help me lose weight, and this is good info!
Carla Maire says
These are some great tips. The hardest part for me would be eating breakfast. I’ve never been a breakfast person. :-/
i been trying to drink more water awesome tips
Brenda says
I enjoyed reading all of your weight loss tips. Now if I can just get started moving!
Tiffany F says
Thanks a lot for the suggestions / tips. I made it my NY resolution to lose 15lbs by July so I might take you up on some of this advice 🙂
Michele Koterbski says
Thank you for the dieting advice.
I’m in need of losing more than 50 lbs and lowering my cholesterol from 230.
I’ll try to use your suggestions.
Thank you,
Thank you for this post. Love the idea of keeping a journal to make smart choices and the importance of water.
Just what I needed to keep motivated! I have the app for my phone, map my run that I love. It makes me want to walk!
Sharon Shoemaker says
I dropped 10 pounds in 2 weeks when I cut out the soda, but I just can’t bring myself to stop using creamers in my coffee! I love my coffee!
Lindsey Pavlyuchek says
These are all amazing tips! I need to start drinking less coffee and create a log that shows what I eat throughout the day! I have lacked the self control lately!
Walking and Water Work Wonders!
I have never been a huge coffee drinker, usually just a cup in the morning, until we got our Keruig. Last week I managed to cut myself back down to a cup a day, with the expectation of one day. Today I am using my Lose It app again to keep track of what I’m eating and how many calories I am eating. It was a great help at the end of last year, then Christmas hit…. LOL.
I like what you said about revving up the metabolism and staying away from the wrong foods. What you said about water is helpful, too.
These are fun, but practical and down-to-earth tips for trimming down!
i eat all these still slimmer ,want to gain weight
THE HARDEST ONE OF THESE FOR ME IS WRITING A FOOD JOURNAL. I GET SO LAZY ABOUT WRITING IT DOWN
Thanks for the helpful tips.
Charice says
These 6 tips are great and SO powerful to a better life. For me, drinking more water and keeping a food journal has been life changing. Water has so many benefits that we always overlook. What I did to get into the habit of drinking more water is always reaching for water first when I sense a craving for soda, coffee, or any purchased drinks. Usually after a few sips, the craving is over. It works, try it !