25 Ways To Lose Weight – Weight Loss Tips

Why is it so common for people of all sizes and shapes, cultures and gender, to have issue with one of the most important things that will ever be within their control or care? If not THE most important.

No matter the condition of your body, there is always hope of a healthier one. It’s all simply a matter of one simple choice. What goes in your mouth. True, exercise and a number of other healthy practices also play an important role. But…

Think about it, without food we eventually will die. You can eat junk and actually cut the time you enjoy your life by a significant amount OR you can make the simplest of choices and change, adding time, even years.

Become your own best friend. You can get advice and direction, but ultimately it’s entirely up to you. The choices you make can impact so much more than weight. The weight loss is like the proverbial “icing on the cake”, only you can choose a healthy version of that cake.

It’s easier than you think to achieve your desired level of health and weight control. Here are some simple steps to get you on the road to a longer, healthier, happier life. Let’s start with a fun idea!

1. Learn to reward yourself in fun and imaginative ways. Choose activities and rewards that will inspire you. Always thinking of the new ideas so you don’t lose sight of your goal in the long term.

2. Instead of rewarding yourself for weight loss, try this. Choose a food or habit you know you need to give up, find a healthy alternative you enjoy. Reward yourself when you have conquered that.

3. Let’s say you decide you want to walk for health and weight loss. After all, to achieve that healthy body, you must give it fuel and exercise is fuel! If you enjoy music and are thinking… “hmmm, I’d like to enjoy some music while I do this…” Wait! Set a goal, for example, a mile walk, three or 4 times a week. Withhold music until you reach that goal.

4. After a while, you’ve lost weight to the point you need new clothes. How exciting! Time to go do some shopping. Don’t buy too many items. You know that you are living healthier and will be needing more, smaller clothes again and soon!

5. Speaking of clothes. You are getting so much healthier and have lost so much weight that those jeans you were wearing when you started this adventure are falling off. Perfect! Keep them. When you’re tempted to visit the local junk/poison vendor, put them on. Make it fun, actually use a rope to keep them on, adding some laughs with yourself as well.

6. If you aren’t a diabetic, try eating like one anyway. Seriously. If you stay on junk food and are carrying more weight than your frame is made for, then you’re headed down that road anyway.

7. Suddenly you find yourself starting to justify a food frenzy at the local ice cream shop. Don’t do it! Go to your favorite clothing store. Find something you really like and buy it in a size or two smaller than you’re ready for. Get excited, knowing you’ll be wearing it soon!

8. Give yourself a standing ovation. You deserve it! So do it. Don’t wait for someone else to pat you on the back. They don’t always know the battles you win, but you do! So clap, clap, clap for you!

9. Get to be friends with your body. Take the time to really look at your self. Stand in front of the mirror, with no clothes on. Really look at the beauty of you. Don’t look for negatives, only positives. If you see extra weight or unhealthy skin, then smile knowing it’s only temporary.

10. Don’t weigh yourself. That only creates obsession and sometimes disappointment. You will see your progress in visual terms, and so will those around you. Let that be your scale.

11. Use how you’re feeling as a gage. Are you lethargic, even though you get plenty of sleep? Pay attention to what has gone into your mouth in the previous hour or two. You will be surprised how much impact the simplest consumption can have.

12. Try visualization. Imagine how good you’ll feel, when you’ve gone out to eat and made wise choices from the menu. While the people around you are moaning and groaning, you’re ready to go for a nice walk in the moonlight while your body gently digests rather than punishes you. Set an example.

13. The healthier you get, the more energetic you become. Find fun activities. They don’t all have to be an exercise related choice with thoughts of tedium clouding your mind. Go dancing, swimming or even volunteering for any number of organizations. Your choices are only limited by your imagination.

14. Keep a photo of yourself nearby. Choose one that was taken at a moment when you were feeling your best, no matter how you look physically. What matters is the reminder of the good feeling.

15. Until you are used to this new way of eating for your health, it’s a good idea to keep a journal. It may take some getting used to, but is quite effective in seeing what foods make you feel yucky and which ones your body thanks you for choosing!

16. Go and buy a cheery greeting card. Write a note that is heartfelt, silly or one even expressing gratitude to yourself. Address it and mail it to you. In a few days, its arrival may be just what you need, when you need it!

17. Create other goals and rewards that pamper your body as well. Go get a manicure, pedicure or a massage. If you’re on a tight budget, go lay in the grass somewhere and find shapes in the clouds, letting the grass massage the bottom of your feet.

18. Calories can be confusing, and unhealthy in high numbers, adding weight and making you feel bad all around. It’s easy to miss hidden calories. So, educate yourself. Get familiar with the caloric count of common foods, even ones you think are healthy. A good rule of thumb is: if it’s 100 calories for 1 serving then 2 servings doubles that and so on. Adds up quick!

19. Make it a habit of eating at least one salad a day. Get creative. There are so many variations of the kinds of salads you can create! This helps promote good digestion as well as having lots of nutrients. A good way to get in those fresh, crunchy veggies your body needs to maintain that healthy weight.

20. Don’t like veggies? Hide them in your food. Try chopping them smaller than you normally would. Steam to soften, but don’t turn into mush either. Find dressings or dips that you can use to get used to the taste, slowly using less and less until you find you have acquired a taste and just can’t imagine your day without a crunchy carrot.

21. When you’re busy and aren’t going to have time to exercise, there are lots of ways to add extra steps and movements to your day. If you’re at work, volunteer to walk the trash bag out and always take the stairs! If you’re stopping at the store, park as far from the door as possible.

22. Make foods ahead. Choose healthy snacks, salads and acceptable desserts to always have on hand so you aren’t tempted to take the quick way out. This way you have eliminated an excuse!

23. Dress for your body shape. Find clothes that emphasize your best qualities and play on that. If you’re on a limited budget, you can find amazing outfits in high end 2nd hand type stores. Give yourself a reason to stop and look in the mirror and say to yourself, “wow! you look great!” When worn properly, clothes can be magic!

24. We’ve heard it before – drink lots of water. It’s a fantastic tool to keep you mindful of how much you’re consuming. Try NOT drinking a full glass before a meal and write down how much you eat. Then drink a glass before. The difference will surprise you.

25. Once in a while you should indulge. Eat how ever much you want of whatever you want. Plan ahead, savor and anticipate all the junk you’re going to stuff in your face. After all, you’ve been doing so well, you deserve to fall off the health wagon… Suddenly you realize and say to yourself, “why would I reward myself with the very thing I’m learning to stay away from?” That’s when you start looking for tangible rewards, rather than stepping backwards into old habits.

Learn to accept the real you, who you are and the way your body is specific to you. Accept that there is no opinion of you that matters more than the one you have of yourself.

So. Love the body you’re in by taking care of it as it has taken taken care of you, understand that loving your body means you’re allot less likely to abuse it, resulting in healthy weight loss that lasts a lifetime.