1. Disregard fad diets and temporary quick fixes such as "weight loss wraps" and make the decision to be in this for life! If you have a "microwave mentality" (meaning you want instant change), it will be just as easy to put weight back on after it's gone.
2. Learn to shop at cheaper grocery stores and survive off of just the basics. (I've eaten chicken and broccoli for a week straight.) I recommend shopping at Aldi if there is one near you!
3. Learn how to make healthy food taste good with spices - and stop cooking with salt! Sodium bloats you up and most of us take in way too much of it.
4. Make your meals revolve around fresh produce - fruits and vegetables. Remove white sugar, white flour (like white pasta and white bread), processed foods like cereal and frozen dinners, dairy milk, yellow cheeses, and most grains from your way of eating. Acceptable grains (though eat sparingly): quinoa, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, high quality whole grain bread (such as Ezekiel brand) and plain oatmeal that you can flavor yourself with fruit. Even if you do this gradually, it will improve your metabolism and the weight will just fall off. Your body will be healthier and thank you for it later.
5. Reduce how often you eat out. And don't cave into the quick fix of McDonald's on the way home after a busy day. If you must eat out, do your best to choose the healthier option.
6. Drink PLENTY of water every day!
7. Reduce your intake of alcohol if you drink. Do away with it altogether if you're feeling bold. Sugar will make you retain weight in your stomach especially.
8. You don't need a gym or expensive special equipment. Take walks or go jogging or biking. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Do some jumping jacks and squats at home. Dance around your living room (my preferred workout of choice). Also, try to choose physical activities that you actually enjoy! If you can invest in any equiment, get some cheap little hand weights from Five Below and some resistance bands. You can find ENDLESS workouts to do for free just with those 2 inexpensive things!
9. Don't compare yourself to others. And make these changes because you love your body, not because you hate it!
10. Don't only use the scale as a gauge for how much weight you've lost. Pay attention to how your clothes are fitting. :)
Hope these tips are helpful.
They are written with love from a 5 foor 4 inch tall 25 year old lady who was once 200 pounds just 5 years ago and is now 130. I did it right and I am stronger and healthier than ever before. (P.S. - It didn't take me 5 years to lose it!)
For recipes, a basic starter healthy eating plan for those of you on a tight budget, and general healthy lifestyle encouragement, visit my blog at www.eatthegood.com!