Weight Loss
Losing weight isn't always easy but it is certainly acheivable
My weight-loss story
Successful weight loss is difficult to achieve, but far from impossible. Over a period of 18 weeks I lost 20 pounds. My secret?
I counted calories for 18 weeks. Truthfully, as I learned better eating habits, counting became something I do only when I'm concerned that I might have eaten too many calories on a particular day.
My family looked at me strangely (and some laughed) when I pulled out the measuring cups, even at my in-laws' home, but this is one of the big secrets that helped me lose twenty pounds.
I can blame my weight gain on the usual suspects. I'd never had weight trouble until I had children. Pregnancy and then nursing kicked my appetite into the nether reaches of space. After my second child, the weight didn't come off, and I carried around 30 extra pounds for a few years. Then I added another 10 to that over the next 4 years.
Then one day I woke up and knew that if I didn't lose weight now, I might never lose weight. I still don't know what exactly made a difference this time but I could feel the change in me. I still feel it today.
I have 20 more pounds to lose, but I see it coming off at a slow and steady pace. And because of this, I know it will stay off. My eating habits have changed. I don't need as much food to feel full, and I don't crave "the bad stuff" nearly as often as I used to.
—Lynn, homemanagementtips.com executive editor
My tips for successful weight loss
1. Count calories
Yes, it's restrictive and time consuming, but if losing weight is a serious goal, it'll take some serious commitment. Keep a food diary. I use a spreadsheet to track my progress. I also recommend FitDay. I've used the program (the online version) and it is excellent. I only wish I had found it when I was actively working to lose weight.
You can download a copy of my simple daily food log and calorie counting spreadsheet.
If you're ready for something a little more robust, check out my low-cost Calorie and Food Log, which tracks your foods, your calories and your weight. I even have charts built in so you can get inspiration from a quick overview of how you're doing.
2. Measure, measure, measure
Until you see with your own eyes just how much food you're eating, you'll never understand why you've gained weight. I used to think I didn't eat that much more than I had before I put on my extra pounds. Measuring my food and drink helped me see that I was wrong. And doubly important, when you start putting calorie counts with visible, recognizable portion sizes, you look at food in a whole new light. Related article >
3. Never give up
There's never a day where you can say "I've messed up, so I guess I'll have to try again
tomorrow."
Try again today. Now. I've stopped myself halfway through a cookie before. Don't feel guilty for throwing the rest away. Your stomach isn't a garbage disposal, so why should you treat it that way? Besides, who are you really helping when you "finish your plate"? Certainly not yourself.
4. Until you get past the sugar cravings, keep a low calorie, sweet snack on hand
My choices? Fudge bars at 110 calories each, and orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream bars at 90 calories each.
Finally, if you have extra weight on you that you want to lose, start losing today. Every day that you continue with bad eating habits makes them that much harder to change.