Losing weight can seem like a challenging activity, and it's easy to get discouraged when you start a diet, especially if you have long-term weight loss goals of losing 10, 20, 50 lbs. or more. According to MayoClinic.com, successful weight loss depends on permanent lifestyle changes, including adequate exercise and a healthy diet. However, there are a few things you can do right away to lose a few pounds and boost your motivation to lose weight.
Step 1
Visualize a hearty meal before you eat to make sure you are really hungry and not just eating out of boredom or to combat cravings. Try to picture a large meal such as a steak with a baked potato or large sandwich to see if it sounds appetizing. Eating when you are not hungry can cause you to gain weight, but only eating when your body needs nutrition can help you lose weight, according to Women's Health magazine.
Step 2
Reduce your portion sizes and the way you eat. Try cutting in half what you put on your plate or using a smaller plate. Even when eating healthy food items such as salads, you can reduce calories to help you lose weight. Try dipping each bite of salad into a cup of dressing on the side of your plate instead of pouring it over the whole salad.
Step 3
Try a change of scenery when you eat. Eating in less familiar places can help you to eat less. For even more calorie-burning potential, try walking to your destination so you burn calories on the way and on the way back. Eat your lunch in the park, or take a walk to a nearby restaurant if you aren't cooking.
Step 4
Cut out desserts, sodas and high-fat coffee drinks. These items can pack on nearly 500 calories per day, so eliminating them can help you lose up to 1 lb. per week. Try just adding milk to your coffee and replacing sodas with water or unsweetened tea if you need the caffeine boost.
Step 5
Have a glass of cherry juice before bed. Drinking a glass of cherry juice before bed can help to lower body fat and increase weight loss when you are dieting. As an added benefit, the carbohydrates may help boost your brain's production of serotonin, which can help you fall asleep faster according to Women's Health magazine.
References
- "Women's Health"; Get a Lean Belly - Fast!; Travis Stork, M.D., Peter Moore; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Weight Loss: Assess Your Readiness to Change
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