| 1. Get 8 hours of sleep! | | | | before about habits. Just start out slowly doing this and |
| First off let me say the best way and sure way to | | | | you will be on your way. |
| weight loss is GET ENOUGH REST! Your body does | | | | 6. Find a fun way to exercise. |
| not burn calories and fat the with the same efficiency | | | | I recently just found a game for my Wii called "Just |
| as if you had gotten your sleep and rest the night | | | | Dance". It really gets me moving and its fun. Try to |
| before and will actually cause you to gain weight. | | | | weekly find something different to do. NEVER keep |
| 2. Work daily on changing your habits. | | | | doing the same old boring routine. If its repetitive you |
| Your habits will always bring down the most | | | | won't stay motivated and will probably lose interest in |
| determined dieter. I have learned after dieting and | | | | your weight loss plan as well. I have noticed these two |
| failing for 10 years at dieting if you don't change your | | | | things go hand in hand for some reason. Actively look |
| eating habits your chances of losing the weight and | | | | for fresh,new ideas for your exercise routine. |
| keeping it off for any significant period of time will drop | | | | 7. Try eating a "side" portion for 6 small meals a day. |
| dramatically. You HAVE and I mean you have,have to | | | | This truly does work and its healthier for your digestive |
| work on this. Even if you just tell yourself to drink that | | | | system. Eating smaller portions is better for digestion. |
| cup of water with your meals and remind yourself of | | | | Meaning you won't have as many problems with the |
| this at every meal. You can still have that glass of | | | | end parts of the digestive system (if you know what I |
| juice just sit down and write out what habits are | | | | mean) it keeps your cells from being flooded with too |
| hindering your weight loss. | | | | much at one time whether it be too much sugar, salt, |
| 3. Cut down on your sugar. | | | | etc. If you just can't bring yourself to do this cut down |
| Sugar is your best friend and your worst enemy let | | | | on the portion sizes by a forkful or two until you are |
| me tell you. I know the more you eat/drink of high | | | | eating portions that are close to your fist size. |
| sugar food items. The quicker your going to gain | | | | 8. Take the stairs instead. |
| weight. It took me so long to realize that this is always | | | | Taking the stairs over the elevator might be more |
| true especially if you have a more sedentary lifestyle. | | | | work but it gets you to your goal that much quicker. |
| If your going to have a candy bar or that bowl of ice | | | | Think of it as steps to get to your dream weight. |
| cream make it small or even better set expectations | | | | When you get there congratulate yourself. You will |
| on how many scoops you want this week. The week | | | | see the difference soon enough. |
| after cut it down to one less scoop or half a scoop | | | | 9. Don't feel like your missing out. |
| less. You will be on your way to weight loss and taking | | | | When there is an event you are going to and you |
| better control of your eating habits at the same time. | | | | know there is going to be lots of goodies there. Go |
| 4. Drink water. | | | | ahead and have that slice of cake but make it small |
| You don't even have to drink the full eight glasses of | | | | and don't feel that you "deserve" a big piece of it |
| eight ounces a day! Start off by drinking one glass or | | | | because you have been good this week. This is the |
| even half a glass(if you hardly ever drink water)of | | | | one mistake all us dieters make and is what makes it |
| water a day. First off hydration will make you feel | | | | all go downhill. Know that you need to have that |
| better and more clear headed. I know it works for me. | | | | smaller portion because you are trying to achieve |
| It keeps your skin clear! BIG bonus right there. It also | | | | something and you are getting there quicker by doing |
| makes your liver and every other body system work | | | | just this. |
| easier and better. | | | | 10. Do NOT beat yourself up for "mistakes." |
| 5. Cut down on juices and soda pop. | | | | Please don't make yourself feel bad if you "mess up" |
| Ughh! This one was definitely the hardest for me to do | | | | just remember to do better and know that you can |
| but it gets the best results for weight loss. Of course! I | | | | and will change your "habit" the next time around. If we |
| just started slowly mixing water into my juice until I | | | | all quit every time we messed up we would never get |
| now will only drink half water and juice or 3/4 cup | | | | anywhere. Dieting the right way isn't about being |
| water and 1/4 cup juice. I'm not saying you need to do | | | | perfect its about learning from our mistakes and |
| this but any little bit helps. Remember what I said | | | | correcting the next time around. |