Many Americans want to lose weight. But losing that weight, whether it's five or 100 pounds, can be difficult, because it requires a lifestyle change. It can be especially difficult if you love eating but hate exercising. But by making some small changes in the way you eat and looking at exercise in a different way, you can take off those pounds.
Step 1
Eat the meals that you love, but pay attention to your portion size and avoid taking seconds of meats, potatoes, desserts and anything else high in calories. Losing weight is a simple proposition: You have to eat fewer calories than you burn, according to the Mayo Clinic. Therefore you can have pasta and chocolate, as long as it's not too much. Try buying fun-size candy bars instead of the full-size ones for a treat. When you dine out, take half your meal home in a to-go box.
Step 2
Make small substitutions in your foods and snacks that you won't notice. For example, trading an 8-oz. glass of whole milk for an 8-oz. glass of skim milk will save you 63 calories, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even switching to 2 percent milk or reduced-fat cheese will save you calories. You can also replace butter with nonstick cooking spray and oil in muffins with applesauce.
Step 3
Find a type of exercise that you do enjoy, and do it regularly. You may think that you hate exercise because the only kind you've ever tried is using machines at the crowded gym. Try getting out into nature and doing something different, like hiking. You may also want to experiment with dancing, swimming, karate or Bikram yoga. Odds are, you'll find something that you like. Do that activity five days a week.
Step 4
Increase your calorie burn and promote weight loss by changing the way you do your daily activities. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator at work and park at the back of the parking lot instead of the front.
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