How to Lose 13 Pounds

Dieting and exercise takes strong will and control -- and degrees of difficulty will vary depending on your unhealthy habits. You can lose 13 lbs. by trying several methods of losing weight before you find one that works best for you. Remember to set reasonable goals. Losing 13 lbs. is a journey that takes place one step at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Appropriate nutrition plan
• Exercise equipment
• Exercise clothing and footwear

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Instructions

• 1

  Decide on a well-balanced diet plan suitable for you. Consider that losing weight is most effective when aiming for a weekly weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week. That means that you will need a plan that you can follow for a minimum of six to seven weeks.

• 2

  Join a gym or health club. Losing weight is easier if you make regular exercise part of your weekly regime. Meet with a trainer at the club so that he can do an assessment and create a workout routine specifically designed to meet your goals. Many health clubs also offer cardio classes that make raising your heart rate and burning fat more fun.

• 3

  Ask friends and family to support you during your weight loss endeavor. This might include having healthy food available for you to snack on when you visit. Additionally, if they invite you for dinner, ask for a low-fat meal instead of fattening foods, rich sauces and high-calorie desserts.

• 4

  Consider hiking on weekends or taking up a new sport such as cross-country skiing, tennis or biking. If you weigh 200 lbs. one hour of hiking will burn approximately 540 calories, one hour of cross-country skiing will burn more than 1,000 calories -- and one hour of tennis will burn around 552.

• 5

  Drink non-fat cream or no cream in your coffee instead of regular cream or milk. Avoid eating out for lunch. Instead, make bag lunches to take to work every day -- pack healthy foods such as raw vegetables, lean meat, dried or fresh fruit and nonfat yogurt. Avoid eating after 7:30 p.m.. And always take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• 6

  Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Also, drinking a glass of water shortly before each meal can help you feel fuller faster, thereby reducing your caloric intake.

• 7

  Reward yourself every 3 or 4 lbs. you lose with something like a new book, pedicure or new DVD. By your third or fourth reward, you will be getting close to your goal weight and you could consider purchasing a new outfit to help you show off your new physique.