Here they are ... the five weight loss tips that always work for me!
- Sayonara, Silo Sized Sodas!
I’m a very good loser when it comes to doggie bagging half my restaurant portions. But I also have to remember to apply the same portion control to what I drink because I’m a real guzzler. I remind myself often that it’s not uncommon to receive as many as 32 ounces of beverage in one restaurant serving.Now, I order children’s sizes at fast food joints and say no to refills at restaurants. Making this one change helped me lose 12 additional pounds after several months had passed.
- I Cheat, Therefore I Succeed
The only diets I’ve been able to stick to over the years are the ones that give me a little leeway. (Frankly, I’ve always cheated on the ones that don’t allow me any.) Bottom line: Any diet that will not allow me my favorite foods occasionally isn't going to work for me.I find one cheat meal or snack a week does the trick. By planning my snack or meal, I no longer feel I’ve failed when I eat something that is considered off limits ... and I find it much easier to stick to my diet the rest of the time.
- No TV Dinners … or Lunches … or Breakfasts
I turn into a mindless muncher when I tune into telly. I ate more snack foods during the weekend I got my Tivo than I had in the entire week before. I think I forgot I was eating until I hit the bottom of the box! When I ate meals tuned in, I always went for seconds (a big no-no for this portion watcher!).So, I no longer allow myself to eat while I enjoy my favorite shows. This change led to an additional pound lost by the following week!
- The Blame Game
I’ve mentioned my mom’s Southern cooking before (You know … the old if you can stick batter to it, fry it bit?). For years, I blamed my mother's cuisine for my weight issues, completely ignoring the fact that my between-meal snacking and soda guzzling did far more harm than the occasional meal at mom’s.I realize now my weight loss is 100 percent up to me and that makes me want to succeed all the more.
- Get a Life!
This is perhaps my most important weight loss must. When I don't have a lot going on in my life, I eat too much, too often to fill the void … which inevitably leads to fast and significant weight gain. When I lose touch with friends or slack off on just-for-fun activities, I start living to eat instead of eating to live.Quite simply, when I’ve got a fuller life ... I don’t make eating to fill up my tummy my daily goal!
