Weight Loss Tips & Ideas

If you want to lose weight and get healthy, you've likely received lots of advice. Unfortunately, this well-meaning advice isn't always practical or helpful. If you're looking for a few easy weight loss tips and ideas you can apply today to begin seeing results, here are a few to consider.

Peer Pressure

• One of the best tools in your weight loss arsenal is a friend who has similar goals. You can encourage each other and hold each other accountable. You can work out together and provide emotional support for each other.

  Another way to harness the power of peer pressure is to let your family and friends know about your goal to lose weight. You're more likely to stay motivated if you know that your family will be wondering how well you're doing. When you're tempted to miss a workout or eat junk food, the knowledge that others are monitoring your progress may be the push you need to make the right choice instead.

Pass the Time

• Workouts don't have to be a boring chore. Use music you love to kick start your motivation and breeze through your workouts. Fast music with a good beat can even cause your workout intensity to be higher automatically. You'll look forward to your workouts, and you'll be less likely to skip them because of boredom.

Who Are You Listening To?

• Why would you listen to anyone's advice if they aren't doing better than you? You wouldn't seek advice on managing your finances from someone who's broke, and the same applies for your health. Only listen to health advice from healthy people.

  The reverse is also true. Seek the advice of people you know who have lost weight. Ask them how they've done it and how they overcame the challenges. What workouts worked for them? What food choices did they make that were successful? The best advice comes from people who have already faced the same struggles you face and have achieved the results you want.

Slow Down

• A study conducted by scientists at the University of Rhode Island seems to confirm the advice that many overweight people have received from their doctors: eating more slowly results in eating less and losing weight. Give your stomach time to signal your brain that you've had enough.

Curb Your Appetite

• It's obvious that you need to eat less to lose weight. How do you do that without feeling hungry?

  First, eat meals on a smaller plate. As silly as it sounds, this can have the psychological effect of tricking your mind into thinking you're eating more than you really are.

  Second, drink a glass of water before every meal. Proper hydration will cause you to feel less hungry between meals, and you'll feel full sooner during the meal if you drink water first.

  Third, consider taking an Omega-3 and Omega-6 supplement before each meal. These are healthy fats that will make you feel full quickly.

  You know that losing weight is an important part of getting healthy. Now you know a few simple, effective strategies that you can apply today to help you reach your weight loss goals.