7 January 2008 One Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

Now that the holidays are over, its the beginning of the weight lost season. I started eating like there was no tomorrow during the past 2 months. I also strayed away from my normal healthy routine, so now I’m getting back on track. Many people decide to join a gym around this time, only to stop going and having their memberships wasted. Some start a new popular diet or buy a product that promises weight loss. I think there are many great ways to lose weight and it doesn’t require expensive memberships, fad diets or infomercial products. If you’ve been meaning to shed off some pounds, the time to do it is now. You have all the tools you need to lose weight right now. I’ve personally lost and kept off about 30 pounds by using mostly free methods over time. Long term routines are the keys to not only losing weight but keeping it off.

Here are 8 keys to losing and keeping off nasty weight without anything fancy or spending tons of cash.

1. Drink Water. This was a very important part of my own weight loss. I cut off sodas completely about 2-3 years ago and I started drinking water, tons of it. I’d order water at restaurants, drink filtered water at home and just about everywhere else. Water suppresses your appetite, cleans out toxins, and prevents you from filling up with nasty sugar dominated drinks. Ok, I know water isn’t 100% free, but making the switch to water is free. A nice glass of water on the rocks with a slice of lemon is just as refreshing to me as a coke.

2. Walk More. Walking doesn’t seem like intense exercise, but if you do it a lot during the day it really adds up. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to the grocery store. Wake up a bit earlier and go for a morning walk before or after work. Taking a walk is also a great stress reliever.

3. Park Far. I’m constantly amazed when I’m at parking facilities and theres about 2 cars ahead of me who are hovering, just waiting for someone to leave their spots. The amazing part is that just about 200 feet further up there are plenty of parking spots. I don’t mind parking far away, especially when going out to eat. It gives you a bit of exercise to and from the car. If you’re worried about being late, simply leave earlier.

4. Eat Better. Seriously, you don’t need a book or some expert to tell you what to eat. You don’t need some diet program. You know what is good for you and what isn’t. Obviously if you give in and go for a pizza it is much worse than getting a salad. Approach your meals with more thought. Don’t let your taste buds force you to make a bad decision. Don’t go on a strict diet and deprive yourself, thats a short term solution. Just slowly start eating healthier foods over time and you’ll see real results.

5. Eat Less. It really not that hard. The easiest way is to drink lots of water during the day so you aren’t extremely hungry during your meals. When eating, don’t ever eat to the point where you are stuffed. Finish a nice healthy serving then stop. If it helps, use smaller plates so you feel like you’re eating a bigger meal. If you’re still hungry, drink some water. It always takes time for your stomache to register the fact that you are full. Try it one time. Don’t eat to the point where you are stuffed. Eat just the right amount even if you are still hungry and I guarantee you an hour later you’ll be very full.

6. Eat Earlier. This is another big change I made during my weight loss period. Its a simple concept. Your body can’t burn much calories when you’re sleeping, so you have to give your body the most time to burn off calories before you go to bed. Eat an early and big breakfast. Eat a big lunch. Then eat a smaller, earlier dinner. I try to eat between 6-7PM and I go to bed around midnight.

7. Get Into a Routine. Make it a habit to practice your weight loss methods. If you go to restaurants a lot, you can still apply great eating habits. I go to restaurants all the time. When you go to work, park far away and take the stairs. Make it a daily routine.

8. Change. I don’t care how cliche’ this sounds, but if you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to want it. You have to change on the inside before anything will change on the outside. No one is going to force you to drink water instead of alcholic or sugar infested beverages. No one will force you to walk more. No one will tell you that you shouldn’t eat that chocolate cake. Only you can change your ways, much like personal finance. If you decide you truly want to succeed, it will happen.

Photo Credit Jacqian