Shedding pounds and keeping them off for good is a challenge for many people. If you are trying to lose weight, you are not alone. Across the nation, millions of people are overweight or obese. In many cases, these people respond by going on drastic, radical fad diets and exercise routines.
These strategies are difficult to maintain long term, and most people simply give up. Making small changes can make a big difference in your weight loss efforts. By using a few simple strategies you can lose weight and enjoy a healthy life.
Every Day is a Choice
If you ate an entire pizza and a gallon of ice cream yesterday, forget about it. Yesterday doesn't matter. You have a brand new opportunity to start over every day. Weight loss is more psychological than physical in many cases. Tell yourself that today is the day that you will make a commitment to eating healthy foods.
Scrap the fast food breakfast sandwich and have a bowl of cereal instead. Skip the soft drink and have a low calorie beverage instead. By making a commitment to eating healthy and cutting back, you are already a step ahead in your weight loss efforts.
Trick Your Body by Making Tiny Changes
Most people are not aware that by simply cutting 500 calories a day out of their diet, they can lose 52 pounds in one year. Cutting 500 calories a day is not difficult if you are deliberate in your efforts. If you drink two soft drinks a day, at 250 calories each, simply cut out one soft drink and you're halfway there. That way you can still enjoy your drink and lose weight.
If you have a bagel and cream cheese in the morning, switch to low calorie cream cheese and shave 75 calories off of your meal. Enjoy your sandwich with mustard instead of mayonnaise and lob off another 100 calories.
The human brain doesn't like drastic changes. It will fight against them and struggle to return things to normal. By making tiny changes, your body will be less resistant and your weight loss efforts will be easier.
Choose to Eat Foods You Like
Think of 10 fruits and vegetables that you enjoy eating. Incorporate those fruits and vegetables into your diet and your efforts won't feel like work. There are many tasty foods that are also healthy, so select those and add them to your regular diet.
Many people fail in their weight loss efforts because they force themselves to eat healthy foods that they hate while depriving themselves of the foods they like. If you don't like cottage cheese, don't eat it. If you enjoy bread, eat bread. The key is to stay within your calorie budget and not over-indulge in foods that hamper your weight loss efforts.
If you are serious about eating healthier foods and losing weight, avoid drastic all or nothing situations. By making small changes, you will be well on your way to a healthy body.