10 Simple and Effective Weight Loss Tips that CAN Change your Life in Days

By Drew on 12th August, 2009

Healthy Living Does Not Have To Be Torture

Dieting is not fun. Working out really is a pain in the you know what. Weight loss scams are abundant, personal trainers are expensive, and even when you find something that works it never really seems to stick long term. There is still good news. There are some simple steps and habits that you can make a part of your daily routine that really can help you slim down.

The truth is that living a healthy lifestyle and finding ways to lose weight is hard. Over the long haul you have to committed, dedicated, and determined. You WILL have to work out as much as you can and eat smart if you want to be happy and healthy. But, the mistake many people make when it comes to weight loss is that they dive in head first. They end up eating too little, revoking a number of life’s little pleasures, and have a hard time staying on track. Losing weight does not have to be excruciatingly painful. Make a change and try to fit at least four or five of these 10 simple and effective weight loss tips into your daily routine and there is an excellent just you will be thinner in days, and be able to keep the weight off.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #1- Enjoy Snacks in Moderation

Gently snacking on anything in between meals was often thought to be a major weight loss no-no. However nutritionists are beginning to realize that it is much healthier in the long run to indulge yourself and satisfy your cravings than to try to ignore them all the time. The thought behind it is that in the long run you probably won’t be able to resist the urge and will end up overeating or going on a junk food binge. Snack, but stay smart about it.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #2- Shut Down the Television

There are numerous studies that have shown that watching TV while you eat can actually cause you to consume up to 40% more calories during your meal. In fact, any distracting activity such as writing, texting, talking on the phone, or driving can prevent your brain from letting you know that you are no longer hungry. Instead of multi-tasking and eating on the go, try to make every meal a sit down event by plating it and just enjoying the food.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #3- Find a Balance for Stepping on the Scale

We have discussed before the negative effects of weighing yourself on daily basis. If you step on the scale everyday then you are likely to get discouraged if there is no noticeable difference, and end up shutting down. On the other hand, neglecting to weigh yourself at least once a week may prevent you from realizing you have been making poor decisions. By keeping tabs on your weight you can determine when you need to cut back a little or when you should start spending an extra ten minutes on the treadmill.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #4- Mould your Body 3 Times a Week

Now before you get scared, this doesn’t mean that you HAVE to engage in a killer and lengthy muscle workout. However, spending just 15 minutes on a quick muscle maintaining workout 3 times a week can help you hold on to old muscle and create new muscle. Try doing just 5 minutes of squats, sit-ups, and push-ups while changing the exercise every 30 seconds. Take a breather and perform the cycle two more times. In just 15 minutes or so you can boost your muscle growth which can engage your metabolism and help you burn more calories throughout the day.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #5- Find Support and Engage

If you find yourself trapped in cravings and fighting the urge to binge or scarf down some high calorie treat, try calling a friend. Talk about something completely off topic and engage yourself in the conversation. Nutritionists have put out studies stating that often times cravings last for less than 5 minutes. By the time you are finished talking, gossiping, or doing whatever it is you do on the phone, you may not crave junk anymore. You will be closer with your friends and love the fact that you avoided the unnecessary junk and empty calories.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #6- Munch on a Hearty Breakfast

A big breakfast full of protein and carbs can ensure that your blood sugar levels remain steady throughout the day. While you may be concerned about eating a number of calories so early in the day, it can in fact fight hunger pains and prevent you from overeating during lunch and dinner. Stock up on breakfast and choose something satisfying such as whole wheat toast, turkey bacon, and egg whites. Mom always said that a big breakfast could go a long way, and she was right.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #7- Binge Drinking DOES Equal Beer Belly

Now this doesn’t mean that you can not enjoy drinking. There is often nothing better after a stressful week, and a cocktail here and there can feel so rewarding. However, one seemingly innocent Margarita can quickly pile on hundreds of empty calories. You can enjoy yourself on the weekends but try to make up for it somewhere else, or fit in a little more cardio on the morning of a party night. Also try to stick to alcoholic beverages such as vodka and soda or wine as they are sure to pack less of a caloric punch than cocktails.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #8-Consume Fruit More than Once a Day

Fruit is made up of mostly water and contains no fat. What that means is it will fill you up quicker and keep you away from other high cal options. A lot of people tend to become too concerned with the amount of carbs in fruit. With fruit you are only dealing with the good kinds of carbohydrates that can give you a steady does of healthy fiber. Indulge in apples, oranges, grapefruit, or anything that you can enjoy as a healthy snack.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #9- Fit in a Little Extra Sleep

We are all running around, working hard, taking care of kids, preparing meals, and enjoying our social lives. Sleep can easily take a backseat to all the other things going on in our lives but you should try and put it to the forefront. Just trying to get to sleep 30 minutes earlier and waking up 30 minutes later can boost your metabolism and enhance your ability to make smart food choices. Fatigue is a big cause of snacking and that extra sleep can relax you, leave you with more energy, and soothe stress.

Simple Weight Loss Tip #10- Positive Thinking and Visualization

When you feel like you are about to give in and dive into a box of chocolate or 7 Cosmopolitans, think positive and place a picture in your mind of yourself looking thin. That visual motivation of your long term success can help you stay focused on your goal and stay determined. Even if you have a rough week on the scale, do not give up and just think about how you will look later on. You can almost treat it the same way as dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit. Dangle that picture of you looking fit and feeling healthy in front of you and chances are your legs will get moving a little quicker.

If all ten of these simple weight loss tips seem easy, fit them all into your daily routine. If you see yourself struggling to make all these changes then just remember that sticking to as few as three of the tips can help you lose weight. Do not overwhelm yourself and most of all do not feel as if your weight cannot be controlled. You have the power to make small changes and benefit your body and mind. Think smart, get into a routine, and know when you deserve to reward yourself. These 10 simple weight loss tips really can have you walking with an extra bounce and feeling sexier in no time.

Try these tips out. If they make a difference in your life then let me know. If you feel that I left something out, enlighten us. If you disagree, give us your opinion. We are all in this together and the more we communicate the easier it will be to reach our goals and achieve a natural, healthy lifestyle.