If you want to lose weight, you have to get serious. Today I'm going to tell you five ways that will start you down the right path to your weight loss goals. The good news is they're not expensive. Some of them will even save you money. You can start today. You don't need to join a gym or supplements. Just do it!
Read more ¿Qué más?: The truth about low-fat and low-carb diets will surprise you
This post was originally published February 10, 2014.
Image via Corbis
Clean out the kitchen
Show no mercy to sugary treats and junk food. Toss it all out! If you don't have it in your kitchen you can't be tempted by it. You won't have any choice but to pick healthier options if that's all that's in the pantry and fridge. Don't feel bad about your spouse and kids, either. Junk food is bad for them, too. You don't want them growing up with unhealthy eating habits. So you're doing them a favor as well. They may fuss at first; but they'll get over it soon enough.
Prepare foods ahead of time
Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and prepare several healthy meals for the next week. Freeze them or make sure you have all the ingredients ready to go. When you come home from work stressed and tired it will be a huge relief to know exactly what you're having for dinner and that it's easy to fix. This will prevent those emergency calls for pizza delivery.
Get rid of the negative people
Sadly, everyone has a few of these in their life. No matter what happens they always see the negative. Mention that you're trying to lose weight and they'll find some way to make you feel bad. They'll tell you how everyone they know is trying to lose weight but none of then are succeeding. You don't need these toxic people in your life. If you can't stop seeing them completely, at least limit your time with them to the bare minimum. Change the subject every time they start on a downward spiral. Eventually they'll get the hint and either stop being so negative–or stop wanting to hang around you and your "always sunny attitude".
Stop putting your health in jeopardy
Diet pills and crazy, trendy diets can destroy your health. Even if you lose some weight you'll probably put it back on as soon as the diet ends. This type of yo-yo dieting is horrible for your body. Plus, your body needs the proper nutrition to function properly. This means a healthy, balanced diet. Don't succumb to the lies of "easy, effortless weight loss with our magic pills." You can lose weight and be healthy with a little time and effort–but not by taking a few pills.
Use a before picture on refrigerator, pantry, cell phone
I used this tactic with great success. Every time I'd look at a photo of myself overweight it would inspire me to stick with my diet plan. I knew how I wanted to look–and it was not the way I looked in those before pictures.
