Smart Ways To Lose Weight

According to a recent survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation, more than half of Americans say that they want to lose weight. The survey showed that almost all say that they are trying to improve at least one aspect of their eating habits and exercise routine. But many of these kinds of changes are easier said than done. Not all weight loss goals are helpful and most people who diet aren’t aware that there are smart ways to lose weight.

Unrealistic and overly aggressive weight loss goals can undermine your efforts. All too often, we make weight loss much more difficult than it needs to be with extreme diets that leave us irritable and starving, unhealthy lifestyle choices that damage our dieting efforts, and emotional eating habits that stop us before we get started. But there’s a smart way to lose weight! You can lose weight without feeling miserable. By making smart choices every day, you can develop new eating habits and preferences that will leave you feeling satisfied as well as winning the battle of the bulge.

Start with these:

• Eat breakfast without fail.
• Don’t eat while doing something else. Savour each bite.
• Stop eating before you are full.
• Avoid shopping in an empty stomach.
• Get most of your calories before noon.
• Never skip meals.

In the kitchen:

• Eat whole fruits rather than drinking fruit juices.
• Cook in liquids instead of oil.
• Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
• Use herbs and spices instead og fatty sauces.
• Surround yourself with blue: it’s an appetite suppressant.
• Opt for spicy foods that may speed up your metabolism.

Eating out:

• Avoid eat-all-you-can buffets.
• Choose tomato based sauce with your pasta.
• Fill up on water.
• Choose fruits for dessert.

Fit in more exercise:

• Walk – it’s cheap, convenient and a great way to burn fat.
• Be more active every day: take the stairs, park a block away, walk, etc.
• Find an exercise friend to keep you company like a dog.

Motivation:

• Strip off in front off a full length mirror every night.
• Keep food and exercise diary.
• Reward yourself with regular non-edible treats like movie tickets.
• Keep a sense of humor.

Distraction:

• Craving? Give yourself 10 minutes. Still craving? Just have a little bit of the treat.
• Brush your teeth.
• Drink water.
• Have a cup of tea.
• Prepare raw vegetable nibbles in your fridge.

Don’ts:

• Do not say you’ll “start tomorrow.”
• Do not skip meals.
• Do not eat because you’re tired or stressed and not hungry.
• Do not deny yourself treat foods.
• Do not raid the fridge at night.
• Do not think your life will dramatically change when you’re slimmer.
• Do not eat more amounts of “lite” foods.