There is one simple trick to losing weight: Lose more calories than you eat. You need to balance exercise with healthful eating habits and fully integrate these new habits into your life. Losing weight is more than just dropping pounds---it's a lifestyle change. Rid yourself of a lifetime of bad habits and learn healthful new ones.
Step 1
Set a goal. When starting a weight loss regimen you should first have a goal in mind. Be realistic and decide what would be a good weight for your body type and height. Plan to lose around 1 to 2 pounds per week until you reach your goal.
Step 2
Get moving. KidsHealth.org recommends that you get at least an hour of exercise every day. If this is hard for you, start out slowly and build your way up. Start going for a brisk 10-minute walk every morning. As time goes by, slowly add more time until you reach 60 minutes. Don't stick to just walking, either. Vary your exercises to avoid boredom with your routine. Go for a jog, a bike ride or just turn up the tunes and dance.
Step 3
Cheat. Dieting isn't fun if you cut out all your favorite foods. Instead of banning ice cream from your home, let yourself have one small bowl once a week. You'll be less likely to get discouraged and give up on your weight loss journey if you let yourself splurge occasionally.
Step 4
Pay attention to drinks. On average, people consume 245 extra calories every day from drinks alone, according to "Readers Digest." Cut out soft drinks and add more water and milk to your diet.
Step 5
Pay attention to calories. Eating healthful fruits and vegetables are a way to lower your calorie intake. According to Medline Plus, you should reduce your daily calorie intake by 500 calories per day to lose 1 pound per week. To lose 2 pounds per week, reduce your calorie intake by 1,000 calories per day.
This doesn't necessarily mean you should eat 500 or 1,000 fewer calories. You can reduce your intake by combining exercise with diet. This means that you could burn 250 extra calories every day and eat 250 fewer calories every day and you would lose 1 pound in a week.
Step 6
Keep a journal. Tracking your food intake and exercise is a great way to visually see how you're doing on your weight loss journey. Write down every piece of food that graces your lips and every minute that you walk. You will be able to see how you are doing on your weight loss progress and locate any areas that might need help.
Step 7
Track your progress. Keep a scrapbook with a before picture and monthly pictures after you start your diet. Try weighing yourself every month and write the weight next to your picture. Track your inches lost. Measure your waist, hips, thighs or wherever you'd like at their largest point and record how many total inches you lose.
Step 8
Reward your hard work. Buy yourself a new wardrobe to go with your new body. Take a trip to the beach to show off your new abs.
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