Tips on How to Shed the Pounds and Keep Them Off

Whether you’re prepping for a high school reunion or general discontentment with body weight, shedding pounds and losing weight is one of the resolutions that most people find hard to stick to. What with all the scrumptious (and fatty) food around you, it’s easy to give in to the temptation and stuff yourself with food that is not only unhealthy but also major pound-adders.

A lot of people who are struggling to lose weight immediately resort to diet pills, fad or crash diets, and even starvation just to shed off the unwanted pounds. What these people fail to realize is that losing weight while remaining healthy is not an overnight task. It takes a lot of time and discipline to be able to effectively shed pounds and keep them off. Here are the most basic and essential things to losing the extra baggage:

Monitor What You are Taking In

The first thing you should do if you’re trying to lose weight is to determine and calculate your daily calorie intake and needs. The basic principle of losing weight is to use up and burn more calories and energy than you take in through exercise.

You should do is determine which types of food you consume on a daily basis and find out if they’re giving you more calories than you actually need and burn. It’s not easy to keep track of the types and amount of food you take in every day, so we suggest you carry a small notepad or notebook with you where you can jot down every drink, snack, and meal you eat.

Knowing What to Throw Out of Your Cupboard

Once you’re conscious about your diet, you can then decide which types of food you should cut down on eating or avoid altogether. If your breakfast consists of a high-calorie coffee and carb-fest of bread or pasta, you can opt for a cup of black coffee which will help you lose around one pound a week.

Once you’ve identified the unhealthy foods in your daily diet, you can then think of healthier alternatives that will satisfy your hunger and cravings. Instead of mayonnaise, use mustard on your sandwiches. If there are low-calorie variants of your favorite dishes, skip on the regular milk and yogurt and go for the healthier options.

It’s Really Up to You

Keep in mind, however, that in the end, it’s all about self-discipline and your determination to lose weight. No weight loss method will ever work if you don’t have the control and discipline to not give in to your unhealthy cravings.