Shed Pounds with These 6 Simple Steps

Shedding extra pounds can seem like a daunting task—especially when you’re surrounded by temptations and have a hard time fitting exercise into a busy schedule! But when it comes to losing weight and keeping that weight off, little efforts can add up to success.

Try adding these easy steps to your lifestyle:

1. Make breakfast your biggest meal of the day. Americans tend to eat little or nothing for breakfast, followed by a medium-sized lunch and a large dinner. By eating the majority of your daily calories in the morning, you’ll be better able to fend off food cravings and give your body the nutrients you need throughout the day.

2. Exercise in the morning. It may be hard to wake up and exercise, but studies have shown that people who get their workouts done in the morning are more likely to stick with a regular routine. If you truly don’t have enough time to get to your health club, try going for a walk, run, or riding a bike around your neighborhood, or set up a mini-gym in your home. Pick up some exercise videos for variety—if you have cable, some providers have channels that will let you access exercise videos on demand.

3. Fill up on vegetables. Consuming a high volume of raw, oven-baked, or lightly sautéed (in olive oil or another healthy fat) veggies will help you feel fuller longer than carbs or simple sugars. Here’s an easy way to do it: think of your plate as a clock. Fill it from twelve to three with a lean protein (fish, chicken, or a low-fat cut of meat), and from three to six with a carb. The rest of the plate is for your vegetables. If that doesn’t satisfy you, eat more vegetables until you feel full.

4. Take the stairs. Escalators and elevators make us lazy! If easily accessible stairs are nearby, use them. You’ll increase your heart rate—making it easier to burn more fat throughout the day—and you’ll tighten and tone your legs, rear end and core muscles (your lower back and abdominals).  For added exercise, take two stairs at a time and don’t hold on to the railing for support.

5. Park farther away. Instead of wasting time circling the parking lot at the grocery store or mall, take a spot far away from the entrance and walk. Do this every time you drive somewhere, and you’ll burn extra calories and save yourself time!

6. Get help from supplements. Natural fiber supplements can help you feel full, which in turn can stave off the urge to cheat on your diet. Other supplements to try: green tea and hoodia, both of which can help suppress your appetite, and chromium, a natural mineral that helps your body create more fat-burning muscles. 

Practicing good habits like these will not only help you lose weight but keep you on the path of optimum health.