7 Weight Loss Tips that Really Work

Drastic changes don’t last. Simple, doable ones can work wonders when you’re trying to shave off the pounds. I know, because I’ve struggled with weight issues for a long time. Here is my pick of ideas that really help. Hope they benefit you, too.

Eat/drink something nourishing 30 minutes before your meal. Some ideas: a bowl of salad; two tall glasses of water; a handful of almonds that have been soaked in clean water for a few hours and skinned; a bowl of clear soup; air-popped corn; an apple and a wedge of low-fat cheese.

Always keep something low-fat and low-calorie close at hand, so that you can eat when the ‘munchies’ hit. Foods and drinks you can enjoy without worrying about weight-gain: salad greens; boiled potato or chickpeas tossed with lemon juice, salt and herbs; yogurt raita; a bowl of nourishing moong dal; a wholewheat pita sandwich.

Eat more fruit, but choose wisely. The best fruits for those trying to cut down the pounds are papaya, peaches, plums, cherries, oranges and strawberries.

Banish fattening foods from your pantry: potato chips, mayonnaise, cheesecake, chocolates, fries, onion rings…if you don’t see them, you won’t be able to eat them. On the other hand, if they’re there, they’ll defeat your will power no matter how hard you try.

Eat from a blue plate! Research shows that ‘cool’ colors such as blue and green reduce appetite, and help you refrain from overeating. That’s why most fast-food chains use a lot of red and yellow on their logos and in their outlets. If you’re watching your weight, you could even consider painting your dining room walls in soothing blues and greens.

Buy smaller plates and bowls. Size really does matter. Heaped on a smaller plate, food gives the illusion of being more in quantity. And if we’re visually sated, it’s easy to feel satisfied with lower amounts.

Develop the sharing habit. When something is too good to resist—such as cheesecake or four-cheese pizza–have a slice or two instead of the whole thing, and share the rest with someone. This is a great way to lower the calories, while increasing the friendship bond!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Fi T.

4:22AM PDT on May 19, 2013

Simple and if you do it

May 19
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Bryna P.

10:45PM PDT on May 18, 2013

Thank you for the information!

May 18
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Camilla V.

10:51PM PDT on May 17, 2013

thanks

May 17
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Carmen J.

2:36AM PDT on May 10, 2013

thanjks

May 10
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chantal v.

3:05AM PDT on Apr 27, 2013

thanks for sharing and some things a also very funny!

April 27
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jn J.

2:20AM PDT on Apr 23, 2013

I read yesterday about a new Invention The Smart Fork. It vibrates in your Hand when the Person using it puts the fork in their mouth too fast. The Goal is to slow down eaters because your brain gets the Signal for being full some twenty minuets later, Thus, being reminded to eat slower helps in weight control, for, less over indulging leads to weight loss. Hmmm?

I like to enjoy a nice conversation over dinner with my husband, which does the same Thing.
Also, I have found using both fork and knife at meals, (as done in Germany) keeps me quite buisy as well, naturally taking up a bit of time between bites.

April 23
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Loo S.

10:02PM PDT on Apr 22, 2013

April 22
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Laura M.

5:13AM PDT on Apr 21, 2013

Funny, I knew that restaurants use red and yellow on purpose to stimulate your appetite; yet it never occurred to me that blue and green would do the opposite!