How to Lose Weight with Simple Adjustments

Lasting weight loss is not just about counting calories or eating only bananas and roast beef or by working out like a maniac for several hours a day. The real way to make a lasting impact on your weight and fitness is to adopt lifestyle changes in small measures.

Some ways to lose weight that work without making you feel deprived or unhealthy are:

1) Watch your portions. Super sized portions and inexpensive processed convenience foods have contributed to rising obesity levels. Take stock of what you eat as compared to the actual suggested serving size listed on the nutritional facts of the food you eat. You may be surprised to realize that your glass of soda holds three or four servings of the drink. Take a few weeks to get familiar with the serving size of the foods you eat. Use measuring cups and spoons to make sure you're being precise. You'll find that you can enjoy the foods you love and still lose weight if you can learn to enjoy those foods in moderation.

2) Stay away from trigger foods. If you know that just a taste of certain foods will cause you to eat way more than you should, and then cut those foods completely out of your diet for now. It will be difficult at first, but look for healthy substitutes that you can learn to enjoy. Sure, air popped popcorn may not hit the spot like potato chips at first, but given a few weeks, you may find that chips don't hold the same power over you any longer. Given some times with more healthy food substitutes, you will probably be surprised to learn that you can enjoy a few bites of something that used to ruin your diet and move on.

3) Learn how to cook again. Look at your favorite recipes with a critical eye to find out where you can cut calories and fat. You may be able to replace butter with applesauce or olive oil in bakes goods, and streamline rich sauces by using more water or chicken stock. Cheeses and milk can be skim or two percent, instead of full fat, and you should always choose a leaner cut of beef.

Though these suggestions may seem overly simple, they will go a long way toward helping you meet your weight loss goals. Be patient, because small changes do add up over time, and you will start to achieve your weight loss goals.

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