18 Really Effective Ways To Lose Weight

When we talk of dieting and weight loss, half of us think about starving and eating fancy stuff like seaweed or doing some fad diet.

However, the best way to look at dieting is as an attempt to eat healthy.

While many people promise themselves to eat healthy, only a few succeed because it is easy to submit to temptations.

Here are some simple but effective tips that can help you stay motivated and succeed on your journey to weight loss.

1. Aim Towards A Goal

Find your inspiration. No, we are not asking you to get inspired by looking at your next door neighbor's chiselled body and saying to yourself "Wow, I need to get a body like her!". Have a goal in mind! “I want to look young and stay active even in my old age”. “I should be able to play with my grandchildren”. “I want to be healthy enough to not need frequent visits to the doctor”.

Once you have a goal in mind, you will be excited and motivated to work towards it because perhaps you might just few like your progress had already started!

2. Take Baby Steps

Fad diets such as Zero Carbs, Banana or Celebrity Diets that just make tall claims. Do not go for any fad diets or make drastic changes, because it won’t last a very long time.

You may lose some weight (or a lot) very quickly, but as soon as you get off the diet, you will gain all the weight back. So, take it one step at a time and make small, lasting changes to your lifestyle.

Related: 14 Eating Mistakes That Make You Gain Weight

3. Choose Your Favourite Foods

This is important, because the whole world might tell you that eating salads would make you lose weight, but if you don’t like salads, you won’t be able to have them for too long.

So, choose the foods that you love and are healthy and base your diet around them.

4. Pack Your Food

Pack your food with you wherever you go. Even if you are going grocery shopping, keep a small box of dry fruits handy to keep those hunger pangs at bay. It will also prevent you from snacking on unhealthy foods.

So, always bring healthy food with you whether you are going to work or picnic. Even when going to a party, check if you are allowed to bring your own food.

5. Eat A Small Meal Before You Go

Never leave home hungry. Even if you are going to a party or a restaurant, eat a small meal first.

This way, you will not be able to eat a large amount of unhealthy food. Just have a small healthy snack or a bowl of salad before you leave home.

6. Don’t Let Yourself Starve

When you are starving, chances are higher that you will binge. This happens because when your blood sugar levels are too low, you start craving instant sugar, so it is more likely that you will eating some cookies or a donut. So, keep eating small eating a day, so that you don’t get very hungry.

Related: These Top 9 Habits Will Help You Lose Weight

More importantly, do not eat less than your minimum daily calorie requirement. For women, it is 1200 calories and for men it is 1500. Never starve yourself to the point below this daily limit. When you do this, you lose muscle and become unhealthy, and chances are high that you will fall off the diet.

7. Choose Healthy Even When You Eat Out

Make healthy choices even when you go out to a party or a restaurant. Go for salads, grilled food, lentil soup or anything that is not fat or sugar loaded.

8. Treat Yourself Once In A While

Cheat meal to motivate you on your weight loss

Do not go to the extremes and allow yourself a cheat-meal once in a while. The idea is to healthy most of the time.

So, enjoy a scoop of ice cream or a piece of chocolate occasionally to satisfy your sweet tooth. Remember, moderation is the key.

9. Stick To Small Portions

When you go to a party or any place with lots of food, just go for small portions. Keep sipping water in between and spend more time socializing and talking to people than eating.

10. Substitute Your Weakness With Something Healthy

When you crave something sweet, have a piece of fruit, berries, or a small piece of dark chocolate. If you don’t satisfy your craving immediately with a healthy alternative, chances are that you will end up having something really unhealthy like cake or ice cream.

Read: These Cabbage Benefits Are Perfect For Weight Loss

11. Have Lots Of Water, Protein And Fruits At A Party

You will definitely find some healthier options at most parties. Just look around for healthier foods such as lean protein, veggies and fruits and have those. Drink lots of water as it will keep you from eating too much and make you feel full.

Related: 10 Top Health Benefits of Grapefruit

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12. Do Not Stuff Yourself

Your ultimate goal at all times should be not to stuff yourself. No matter what you are eating, make sure you do not stuff yourself. Even if you are eating something unhealthy at a party, limiting yourself would minimize the damage. As a thumb rule, eat till you are 80 percent full. Here are 9 Best Morning Habits to Lose Weight.

13. Break The Habit

Over the years, we become conditioned to a way of eating. We eat on the go, while travelling, shopping or at work. We even make our food choices out of habit; eating things that we have been eating for so many years even though your requirements and lifestyle has changed. So, it is important to break the habit and make conscious choices based on your current needs.

Related: 10 Healthy Habits To Live A Healthier Life

14. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

If you eat unhealthy once in a while, make sure you burn it off. If you have had excess calories, just go for a brisk walk, run or play a sport that you like. So, rather than sulking for eating a piece of chocolate cake, just burn those calories off.

Related: 14 Subtle but Powerful Health Benefits of Exercising Other Than Losing Weight.

15. Do Not Overdo It

No matter how charged up you feel with your weight loss plans, make sure you go slow and steady. Do not overdo the diet or workout. When you overdo something, you cannot sustain it. So, it easy on yourself and keep it consistent.

16. Take Pictures Of Your Journey

Keep taking your photos as a memory of how far you have come. This will push you further and keep you going. Also, do not expect huge changes in a short time. Keep yourself satisfied with the subtle changes you see over the time.

Related: It May Be Harder For Shorter People To Lose Weight

17. Set Reminders

Keep reminding yourself that you have to eat healthy, workout and stick to a healthy lifestyle. Set reminders on your cell phone or laptop, so that you don’t forget. Do not leave everything on your memory, because amidst of the busy routines, it is only normal to forget.

18. Love Yourself

No matter how you look today, love yourself. Only when you love yourself, you will make efforts to do better for yourself. Even if you have a few extra pounds, do not lose your self esteem. The best thing you can do for yourself and love yourself. Read these 7 Ways to Stay Motivated to Lose Weight.