Losing weight can be tough. You may start out with the best of intentions – a new healthy diet and an exercise program – then bam! You get tired or stressed and fall off the weight loss wagon. There are a simpler ways to lose weight and get thin but you have to have the follow-through, no matter what kind of day you might have had.
1. Keep a food diary – Give yourself a few weeks to write everything down that you consume each day from a piece of gum to that cup of hot tea before bedtime. Add up the calories, cholesterol and fat content each day and you will be simply amazed that you actually consume that much. This should motivate you to revamp your diet and make more health conscious food choices.
2. Set goals – This is where many people fail in their diets. They do not set goals and then become exasperated when they are not successful losing weight. Well, how can you slim down if you really do not know what your goals are each day? Brainstorm and decide what you hope to accomplish and then write out a game plan to get it done.
3. Get enough sleep and rest – If you do not catch enough zzz’s each night, you are more likely to nosh on inappropriate snacks to keep awake the next day and likely too tired to even consider working out. Lack of sleep causes your body to store fat while getting enough sleep and rest allows your body to work efficiently to burn it.
4. Exercise – Let’s face it. Diet alone is not going to help you become thin. You need physical activity to help you burn calories and fat. Exercise increases your metabolism, so get moving.
5. Substitutions – Diet plans can feel so constricting that you often end up cheating with your favorite foods. However, most foods can be prepared with healthier ingredient substitutions, even the famous heart attack on a plate – Fettuccine Alfredo!
