Tip # 1
The diet is the key to starting all this weight loss work because you can exercise every day, but if you are eating the wrong foods the weight will not change much. Eat healthily three times a day and try to include salad and some lean meats in your diet. Remember, calories count, so the basic formula of calories in / calories out still applies. Weight loss means achieving a net calorie deficit!
Tip # 2
Snacking has to go but to get in the habit of not eating junk food, you need to empty the cupboards and bin it all. If the urge to snack is quite high you need to replace it with something such as cups of green tea, vegetables, or fruit. Vegetables are an excellent choice since they’re filling, high in nutrients and fiber while being very low in actual calories.
Tip # 3
You do not need to workout every day but at least be active and that means going for a walk for thirty minutes with the kids, on your own or with the dogs. You need to break the habits of getting in from work and just watching the tv and then eating dinner. To be successful in actually losing weight, you need a sustained workout program ideally including 1 hr/day up to 7 days per week.
Weight loss Tip 4
Offer to be the "designated driver" more often.
If you go out for dinner and drinks with family and friends, offering to be the designated driver will save you hundreds of kilojoules because you can't drink as much alcohol.
In addition to drinking fewer kilojoules, you'll probably eat less as well because alcohol often makes us "let our guard down" and eat when we are no longer hungry.
Weight loss Tip 5
If you often find yourself reaching for chocolate or lollies in between meals, try eating a handful or two of mixed, unsalted nuts instead.
For best results, mix your own and include nuts that you don't necessarily eat on their own. Eating mixed nuts together means you won't even notice the ones you don't normally eat.
Although some nuts are relatively high in fat, the fat they contain is good fat that our body needs to stay healthy. And because they are so filling, you will probably end up consuming far less total calories than if you ate a less healthy alternative.
Weight loss Tip 6
Try to break unhealthy food associations.
Many of us get into the habit of enjoying unhealthy food and drink while we're doing everyday things like watching our favourite TV shows, visiting cinemas, going to our favourite club, etc.
Every time you go to the movies do you habitually order a large popcorn, ice-cream, large coke, bag of lollies or chocolates before sitting down? Or can you watch your favourite soap opera without a cup of coffee or tea and a few chocolate biscuits?
If the answer is yes and no respectively, you could have some unhealthy food associations that could be making you heavier or preventing you from losing weight.
Offer to be the "designated driver" more often.
If you go out for dinner and drinks with family and friends, offering to be the designated driver will save you hundreds of kilojoules because you can't drink as much alcohol.
In addition to drinking fewer kilojoules, you'll probably eat less as well because alcohol often makes us "let our guard down" and eat when we are no longer hungry.
Weight loss Tip 5
If you often find yourself reaching for chocolate or lollies in between meals, try eating a handful or two of mixed, unsalted nuts instead.
For best results, mix your own and include nuts that you don't necessarily eat on their own. Eating mixed nuts together means you won't even notice the ones you don't normally eat.
Although some nuts are relatively high in fat, the fat they contain is good fat that our body needs to stay healthy. And because they are so filling, you will probably end up consuming far less total calories than if you ate a less healthy alternative.
Weight loss Tip 6
Try to break unhealthy food associations.
Many of us get into the habit of enjoying unhealthy food and drink while we're doing everyday things like watching our favourite TV shows, visiting cinemas, going to our favourite club, etc.
Every time you go to the movies do you habitually order a large popcorn, ice-cream, large coke, bag of lollies or chocolates before sitting down? Or can you watch your favourite soap opera without a cup of coffee or tea and a few chocolate biscuits?
If the answer is yes and no respectively, you could have some unhealthy food associations that could be making you heavier or preventing you from losing weight.