No need to sacrifice. You can follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have ground to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.
1. Try to more aware of what your eating. Write down what you had and how much. You will find as you become more aware of what your eating that it is easier to plan healthy meals and snacks.
2. Learn to only use half of added fats. Try using only half the amount of butter on your bread, toast, or muffins, or potatoes. You should half the amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad, and only half the oil you would normally use in your frying pan.
3. Limit your desserts containing sugar to only three times a week.
4. Do not have red meat, nuts, and eggs on a daily basis, enjoy them only occasionally. Include lower fat sources of meat such as chicken, fish, beans, or cottage cheese instead.
5. Build one lunch and one dinner around whole grains, vegetables, or beans. Avoid meat and cheese on these occasions.
6. Cut the fat content in your milk products. If you normally drink whole milk you can start using 2%, 2% can be reduced to 1%, and 1% to skim. Look for low fat cheese and yogurt.
7. Try to have two fruits a day. Choose fruit in season for added vitamins and fresher flavor.
8. Avoid sugary drinks. Consuming these beverages will make you crave more sugar sabotaging your efforts. A refreshing drink is hot water with a slice of lemon.
9. Eat two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are still hungry you can always have more.
10. Don't be in a rush to eat your meals. Eat slowly as your body needs time to register when it is full.
11. Try eating grated carrot. It is much more filling than a whole carrot. Sounds strange, but true.
12. Eat whole grains. Fiber will make you feel full and aid in your digestive process.
13. Try to have foods that you can chew. This will help you to feel satisfied. Try eating the fruit instead of having juice. If soup is on your list make it have lots of chunks.
14. Don't go shopping hungry. Impulse buying often leads to high calorie foods. Plan all your meals ahead of time, write what you need down, and stick to your list.
15. Never watch TV while eating. Because your mind is focused on what's on the TV and not what your eating, you stand a good chance of overeating. Only eat when your hungry, not when your stressed or bored.
Follow these few simple tips and you can be on your way to 10 pounds of weight loss fast.