10 Ways Anyone Can Lose Weight

Losing weight and getting in shape is generally a lifelong commitment. As we get older, our bodies change and it's foolish to think that a two month diet is going to keep us thin forever. Though it sounds intimidating, once people make the commitment they generally find that the benefits are enough to keep them on track and something that once seemed unthinkable becomes a way of life. The secret to keeping healthy is really getting through the first year, breaking bad habits, and changing the way you do things.

In this article I'm going to talk about ten ways I have changed my life. These are ten easy things that anyone can do easily and find success with. Losing weight and keeping it off can be a reality. I hope this helps those of you who are serious about losing weight and just need an extra nudge in the right direction!

1. Stay hydrated. This is essential to losing weight. You've heard it once and you'll hear it again. Your body needs water to metabolize and to keep healthy. Most of us don't get enough water and drinking soft drinks like soda and lemonade just won't cut it. To lose weight you need water. Juice is an okay substitute but contains a lot of sugars and your better off eating the fruit and getting the protein. For those who aren't too keen on water, coconut water can be a great substitute. Not only is it chock full of electrolytes, but it actually aids in weight loss and has other amazing health benefits. It tastes delicious and is extremely refreshing. It hydrates just as well, if not better than a regular glass of water, is low in calories and sugar, and actually contains a lot of vitamin C which also aids in weight loss. To lose weight, hydration is really key.

2. Keep track of how much and what you eat in an average day. This isn't forever, but at first you need to know what's going into you and what you're burning off. Keep track for two weeks and trust me, just writing it down will change your attitude and help you reach your weight loss goals. No one wants to write down that they ate an entire box of chocolate cookies, and when you have to right that down you shoud right it in red. The red is what you need to cut out to lose weight. Take it slowly and one step at a time. You're making yourself healthier for life, not just for a week and therefore it won't happen overnight.

3. Exercise. If you're like me, you hate exercise and the thought of doing it send you to the couch with a bag of M&M's. Well, the hard truth is that you're not going to lose weight on the couch. Try different things. Try jogging, swimming, biking, etc. There are limitless activities you can do. You can dance, you can lift weights, you can even jump on a mini trampoline. But for at least 15 minutes a day get your heart pumping and your blood flowing and you will see that the 15 minutes helps you lose weight. If you can, make it thirty minutes. If you can stand it, an hour. Take the stairs, stand on the train instead of sitting, all these things will aid in weight loss and help you reach your goals faster.

4. Have realistic expectations. I'm definitely an instant gratification kind of gal and for a long time it was difficult for me to go on realistic diets because I wanted to wake up the next morning ten pounds lighter, with better skin and more energy. This is not realistic. Don't get on the scale everyday, don't spend too much time looking in the mirror. Let it happen because I promise you it will. If you really want to lose weight patience is key.

5. Tell people what you are doing. Don't be embarrassed that you're on a diet. When I started dieting I would cheat when I was with people who were eating foods I knew I shouldn't be eating. The way I overcame this was I told everyone what I was doing. At first I was embarrassed. I could have worn a shirt that said 'I'm trying to lose weight, don't feed me'. Instead I told my family and friends, I told my coworkers and on occasion I would tell a waiter in a restaurant I was eating at. Losing weight is hard and I'd say 90% of the people I told, no matter how fat or thin were able to sympathize with me. No one is perfect and everyone is always trying to improve. People wanted to help me lose weight. It was unrealistic to expect my friends to change their diets just because I was, but what they did for me was even better. They would give me the reality checks that I needed. Sometimes I would eat too much and sometimes too little, and it helped to have a friend remind me what I was doing. If you could control yourself for at least a month, you will start to notice results and after that it will be hard to stop because it will feel like the weight is melting off.

6. Have more of a routine. Know what foods you like and know what foods are good for you. To lose weight, you need to have the right kinds of foods around. If all that's in you're refrigerator is butter, pasta, and beer you won't be doing yourself any good. Keep healthy cereals and eggs for breakfast. Keep vegetables because those are filling and will definitely help you diet and lose weight. Know how much you eat and go shopping accordingly. Don't buy extra food, you can always go back to the grocery store! One you know how much you eat in a week, buy just that amount and try to pace yourself. Try not to let yourself eat too much and you will be able to see if you do because before your next week you'll be out of food and you won't have lost the weight you're trying to.

7. Splurge every once in a while. It's simply not practical to vow to never have a piece of chocolate cake ever again. Losing weight is tough, and depriving yourself isn't going to make it any easier. Trust me, you're your own worst enemy and if you don't let yourself divulge every now and then you'll end up binging. Let your body smile every once in a while by feeding it what it craves. Birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions are great times to say to yourself 'I'm losing weight but todays my day off'. Don't go crazy, but let loose. The idea is to get to a healthy weight and maintain, you won't have to be losing weight forever.

8. Be careful eating out. Even salads can contain a ton of calories. Instead of going for the ranch dressing, ask for some balsamic vinegar. Instead of getting the cobb salad with extra bacon, go for the beet and walnut salad. Most people think that any salad is healthy. Well, it's not and the sooner you realize that the sooner you'll start losing weight.

9. Don't become obsessive. I know a lot of people who make a goal to lose weight and end up failing. Why? Because they become obsessed with losing weight. They buy books, go on fad diets, buy ridiculous exercise equipment, and search the internet for the next big way to lose weight. None of that is going to help you. Trust me, you'll lose weight quicker finding your own diet and your own plan. Don't spend all day thinking about it, just do it and healthy dieting will become a part of your life.

10. Last but not least, just do it. There are no excuses, don't start tomorrow, start today. The day I changed my life and started to lose weight and get healthy was the day someone gave me the best advice I think I have ever gotten. I told a friend that I was going to start a diet next week and she said "Why don't you just start it right now?" I didn't have a good answer. I could have told her that I wasn't ready or that my sister's birthday was on Tuesday and we were all going out, but those are excuses and you need to just go ahead with it. If not now when? Losing weight is a commitment, and there's no victory in making a commitment to do something in the future.

I hope this helps some of you lose weight. Yes, I do believe that weight loss, diet, exercise, and health is in large part mind over matter and those who are willing to change will be able to.

Good luck with your weight loss!