Losing weight is an uphill battle for many. If you’re struggling to shed some extra pounds, you’re
likely 
to be inundated with much information about how to do so, and may be unable to decide which method is the best option for you. This article aims to provide you with advice that is easy to understand and follow.
Turn your phone time into workout time. Move around when you’re on the phone vs sitting down and talking. Calisthenics are not required. Instead, simply walk or do household chores and watch the burned calories pile up.
Don’t drink your calories. Replace caloric soft drinks and juices with calorie-free drinks. A single serving of regular soda can contain over a hundred calories and many people drink multiple servings per day. Your body doesn’t recognize liquid calories as food, so you still end up eating as much solid food as you would otherwise. Choose water or unsweetened tea to keep your calories and waistline in check.
It’s hard to lose weight if you don’t allow yourself any treats. One good way to have your treat and eat it to is to buy one bag or container of something you love to eat per week and no more. Allow yourself a little of your treat per day and you won’t feel as deprived and overeat something else.
Rather than overfocusing on the number on the scale, focus on your health. You will find it easier to stick to your plan this way. Focusing only on weight loss can lead to a sense of deprivation. A lot of diets fail because people need to let go of all of their favorite things in one fell swoop. However, if you gradually make changes to the way you live, it will help you to lose extra weight.
To stay away from fast food, you need to find an alternative. Fast food attracts you because it tastes good and is easily available. Make sure your fridge stays filled with healthy food to discourage you from going out to eat. Try cooking burgers yourself without adding any extra cheese.
Skip the desert, it is an unneeded luxury and empty calories. Instead of having pie, cake, or ice cream for desert you can always snack on something sweet and healthy such as a low calorie fruit smoothie or fat free yogurt. You can even indulge in a desert every now and again. Just do not over do it.
If you are on a diet, keep a journal of what you eat on the weekends. Statistics show you are more likely to fall off the wagon on the weekends. By keeping a physical record of what you are consuming on Saturday and Sunday, you are reminded of the goal you are trying to accomplish.
Try joining a weight loss program to make it easier for you to lose weight. Many people find that they have much more success sticking to their decision to lose weight if they have a support group around them. Try becoming a member of a group in your area, like Weight Watchers, TOPS or Jenny Craig.
When attending a holiday cocktail party, get a low calorie drink like seltzer water and fruit juice as soon as you arrive. If you sip slowly on your drink, you will probably not fill up on high calorie cocktails. Having one of your hands busy can keep you from sampling the snacks as well.
To help you stay on a diet or healthy eating plan, tell your friends and family. By not keeping it a secret you will feel accountable every time someone asks how the diet is going. Sometimes this extra little push is enough to help you stay on a diet during a rough patch.
Burning tiny amounts of extra calories throughout your day will help you lose weight. For example, if you stand on one leg and switch feet every 30 seconds while brushing your teeth, you’ll burn 10 or so calories. Over the course of a year, that’s two pounds lost – just by brushing your teeth!
If you have tried losing weight before and always get discouraged, it is important not to give up. Start with a very small change, such as purchasing walking shoes or starting a journal. Do something that is easy and will not be hard for you to stick with. Studies show that you are three times more likely to follow through if you start with a small gesture.
Some people trying to lose weight live in apartment buildings or in small spaces where there’s no room to walk and they cannot afford exercise equipment or a gym membership. This doesn’t mean you still can’t get a good workout, though. Jogging in place or using a sturdy chair as a makeshift stepper is a great way to stay active.
Think differently if you are a woman over 40. Your metabolism is slowing, and your hormones could be imbalanced, having negative side effects. Simply eating less won’t provide the results you want. Women over 40 need to consume fewer carbohydrates as they can’t process them as effectively as a younger person. Avoid foods with artificial sweeteners as they can interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize real sugar. It’s not a case of how much you eat, rather what you eat.
The omega-3 fatty acids that are found in salmon may increase your body’s ability to burn fat. Along with exercising, adding some salmon to your diet could be very beneficial to your efforts at weight loss. When preparing salmon, be sure to try to use the most healthy preperation options.
Don’t let your friends or family play the devil’s advocate by enticing you to deviate from your fitness routine or dietary plan. Even the tiniest slip up can have dire consequences for the future success of your weight loss program. You might also explain your feelings to the offending party; he or she should be respectful of your decisions.
Losing weight doesn’t have to be a complex, stressful endeavor. Use this article as your guide, apply yourself to the process, keep a positive attitude, and you’ll soon see those extra pounds melting away.