TOP WEIGHT LOSS TIPS AND TRICKS

It's a good idea to step on the scale and take your body measurements before you begin. You may lose inches before pounds if you begin exercising and you'll need to know that you're still losing; even if the scale doesn't initially reflect lost pounds. Start with our weight loss tips and you're one step closer to a more confident, slimmer you.

• There is no shortcut or quick-fix to losing weight. Get started and find out what works for you. Doing nothing will get you nowhere.
• Losing weight greatly reduces your risk of diabetes; a very serious condition that also increases your risk of stroke and heart disease.
• Do not view food as your enemy. Having a healthy attitude towards it will help change your eating habits.
• Identify which foods represent your weak spots. Eliminate some of them completely and reduce your intake of others.
• Plan to feel some hunger, it's part of it. You can actually stop eating while still feeling hungry. As your body adjusts, it will become satisfied more easily.
• Get accustomed to reading food labels. This is necessary and very educational.
• Try five small meals a day instead of three larger ones. This keeps your metabolism from slowing down and helps satisfy your desire to eat.
• Swap foods. Get the lower calorie and fat version of your favorite foods but read the labels and compare to make sure the claims are not misleading.
• Mayonnaise and salad dressing are packed with calories and fat. Get the versions with reduced or no fat before you cut anything else. Same with margarine.
• Don't crash diet and don't go on very low-calorie diets. A life long change means simply reducing your calorie intake.
• Try prepackaged weight-loss meals such as Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers! They're a great way to eat healthy and limit portions.
• Use a smaller plate. It will take less food to clean your plate.
• Slowly make your portions smaller and cut your food into small pieces.
• Limit your salt intake. Consider a salt substitute for a lifetime change.
• Add salt-free seasoning to bland meals. Pepper adds pizzazz and Mrs. Dash comes in a large variety of flavors.
• Reduced fat parmesan cheese is a great add-on to prepackaged meals and soups.
• Drink water to keep your body hydrated. Your body needs water to help eliminate fat.
• Add water to your meals to increase content and give you a fuller feeling.
• Expect a larger grocery bill as you buy healthier foods. It's worth it.
• Fast fad Diets? Nope. You need to implement a life long change in your eating habits and physical activity.
• You can still eat meat, just invest in the leaner versions. Trim away visible fat before cooking.
• Get no-stick cooking spray and forget using oil and shortening.
• Dietary fiber makes you feel full, helps elimination, and is is good for your digestive system.
• Take a multi-vitamin daily.
• Always have some fruit on hand for a quick snack.
• Drain your meat and flush with hot water in a strainer after cooking to eliminate excessive fat.
• Steam, broil and bake before frying.
• Let your homemade soup sit in the fridge and spoon off the fat that collects at the top.
• Don't eat while you're watching TV or reading. Better yet, eat at the kitchen table.
• Chew your food slowly and quit eating before you're completely full. Studies show it takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize your stomach is full. If, after that time period, you're still hungry, eat more. Chances are, you won't.
• Diet sodas? Some claim they only increase your appetite but everybody is different. They can help in situations where you just have to have a soda. The jury's still out on many artificial sweeteners so it's probably best to take a cautious approach.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Avoid Ramen soup. It's cheap, but packed with calories and sodium.
• Don't deprive yourself of that favorite food. Just eat it in moderation.
• Drink a glass of water with your meals but avoid "washing" down your food.
• Surf the Internet for weight-loss support groups.
• If you mess up, don't think that you've ruined the entire day. This will lead to more overeating. Accept your mistake and get back on track the same day.
• As soon as you reach a weight loss plateau, accept it and make the changes necessary to get you back on track.
• Create a weight loss journal and log in everything you eat. Your calorie intake might be much higher than you think.
• Make an effort every day to cut unhealthy foods from your diet. It doesn't have to be a lot, but you'll see results by doing this.
• Get proper sleep. Sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're just tired. In the daytime, take a short nap if possible when you feel the need to binge.
• There are two ways you may feel when trying to lose weight. Hunger, or guilt from overeating. If you eat in moderation, you can reduce the hunger and eliminate the guilt . It's a much better feeling.
• The last place you gain weight is probably the first place it will come off.