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Top 10 Natural Weight Loss Tips

By: Gen Wright

Everybody loves weight loss tips. Tips are special reminders and little nudges to keep us on the road to reach our weight loss goals.

These 10 tips will help you get on the losing end of things and apply from teens to seniors. So no matter what your age, use these tips to get motivated to lose weight today.

Weight Loss Tips #1

Commit To It

This may seem a bit rhetorical, but to really be victorious at losing weight you have to want it. To really want it you have to go beyond just thinking you want it, you have to commit to weight loss. The best way to commit to your weight loss is to develop a goal and scribble it down.

Your goal does not have to be in terms of weight loss. Instead you could write your goal as percent of body fat lost or inches lost or even clothing size. Make your goal realistic and measurable. Put it in terms that you can relate to and refer to often. For example your goal can be “I want to lose 2 dress sizes by next month” or “I want to lose 3 inches in my waist in 4 months” or “I want to weigh 135 pounds by my next anniversary”.

Make smaller goals that you can use during your weight loss plan to make sure you are on the right road to get to your big goal. Chart your goals and your advancement by using weight loss tools such as a calorie intake chart, workout plan or weight loss chart. Seek out or build a weight loss journal. Journalizing is a great way to track the foods you eat, water, exercise and thoughts for the day and a great way for you to stay on track to lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #2

Change Old Habits

Habits can be hard to break. Let's face it, some things we do are because we have always done them that way. The present is the time to change. Pitch out the belief that you must clean your plate. If you are in the “baby boomer” generation then you know what I am talking about. We were taught to clear our plates and did not leave the room until the plates were clean.

Well that was then this is now. Instead of cleaning your plate stop when you are full. Take smaller portions and if you are still wanting more go back for seconds but make it a smaller portion. When eating out select from the kiddie menu for smaller portions or ask for a “doggie bag” and store the leftovers for another time.

Weight Loss Tip #3

Stay in the Kitchen

This is one habit worth discussing as its own tip. Lots people have a set routine of eating on the run or sitting in front of the T.V. when eating. Experts say people who eat in front of the T.V. tend to eat larger servings. This is due to being all ears and eyes on the boob tube and not attentive to what you are consuming.

So take your dinner out of|away from} the Den and into the kitchen. Use this time to not only eat healthier and smarter but to talk about each others day. By using your eating time as a nice family time you are also slowing down your eating. This will allow your stomach time to tell your brain that you are full and will likely consume fewer calories.

Weight Loss Tip #4

Throw Out Temptation

If you find it out of the question to keep your hands off of tempting foods, then just remove them from the house. The old saying “out of sight, out of mind” may just do the trick for you. Go through your cupboard and fridge and clear it out. Replace the too sweet or too fatty foods with healthy foods. Sugar free jell-o is a great way to get your sweet tooth satisfied without packing on the calories. Instead of potato chips get low fat popcorn.

Try going your first two weeks with no sweet or salty snacks at all. You will be amazed at how your yearnings will fade by going without for a few weeks. Have a bag of carrots or celery near by. These veggies help satisfy the need to crunch on something and are low in calories.

Weight Loss Tip #5

Get Support

Weight loss is a big challenge for many of us, so go it all alone. Look for a weight loss support group online or on-site or create your own support group. All of the really successful weight loss companies offer a groups or one on one support.

However if you are going it alone without a weight loss program then build your own support method by including friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. Your support can be as big or as small as you need. Let the group know you are embarking on a weight loss journey and ask for their support and encouragement.

Weight Loss Tip #6

Chart Your Weight Loss

In order to make sure you are on the right road to attaining your goals you need to track your progress. By keeping track of how you are doing you can make alterations as needed to make sure you keep losing weight and reach your goals.

Jot down the foods you have and how many calories you have in a day. Track your exercise routines and how many calories you burned during exercise. This will help make sure you create a calorie deficit for weight loss. Measure or weigh yourself every week and chart your weight. Look over your progress and weigh against your goal. If you see your progress headed in the wrong direction, make adjustments to your foods and/or workout routines.

Weight Loss Tip #7

Add Variety

You need a variety of foods to keep your weight loss meal plan fun and exciting. Don't burn yourself out by eating the same things all the time. Consume all the food groups by including vegetables and fruits, dairy and meats, whole grains and fats.

Try eating 5 to 6 mini meals every day to help your metabolism stay energized. Eat protein with each meal by including beans and eggs, lean cuts of meat and fish in your diet plan. Consume 5 – 9 servings a day of vegetables and fruits. Make your choices colorful by including dark green leafy veggies, red or orange peppers, etc. Vary your fruit selection as well having citrus fruits and non-citrus fruits.

Your dairy foods should be low fat or non fat choices. Make your pasta, breads, rolls, etc. whole grain foods. The complex carbohydrates and high fiber in whole grain breads, pastas and cereals help to kick up your metabolism. Additionally you want to consume some the good fats in your food selection. This is because your body needs some necessary fatty acids from the foods you have as it can't produce these fats itself. Just watch the labels and pick foods that have the healthy fats and try to eliminate or reduce trans fats.

Weight Loss Tip #8

Watch What You Drink

Several people do not track or think about the amount of calories in their beverages. A regular flavored soda exceeds 100 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugars. Fruit drinks are also high in sugar and calories. Switch to diet drinks and drink more water or green tea.

Watch the alcohol consumption as well. A lot of mixed drinks are high in calories and alcohol tends to turn to fat and sugar in your body. You should try to eliminate or reduce your alcohol intake while losing weight. However, if you have a special occasion, beer and wine are lower calorie drinks.

Weight Loss Tip #9

Cheat – in Moderation!

As you continue on your weight loss journey there will be times when you want a snack. If you let your cravings go unchecked for too long then there is a good chance it will overcome you and cause "binge eating". So go ahead and eat a delicious treat once in awhile.

Moderation is the factor here. It's okay to eat a snack and not feel bad. Just make sure it doesn't become a routine but is just short break from your healthy eating. One of the major reasons people quit strict diets is their need for something sweet once in awhile eventually gets the better of them. So treat yourself and make your sweet snack small but sufficient to satisfy your sweet tooth. Then get right back to eating healthy with your weight loss eating plan.

Weight Loss Tip #10

Get Moving

There are lots of people who workout constantly and then there are those who cringe at the very thought of exercise. However, if you want to lose weight, and here's the secret, keep it off then you need to add exercise to your weight loss program.

By working out you are burning excess fat and calories. You are also building lean muscle mass. The more lean muscles you have the higher your metabolic rate. The higher your basal metabolic rate the more calories and fat you burn all day and all night.

If you are just starting your workout routines, then start slow by taking a brisk walk 20 minutes several times a week. Also add some strength training 2 or 3 times a week. As you get used to this routine then boost your speed and/or the duration. Increase the challenge to your muscles during your strength training as well. It doesn't matter what you begin with just so long as you get moving and get active.