Some Secrets to My Weight Loss Success

Here are some secrets to my weight loss success:

1. Plan your meals one day ahead of time. Always know today what you will be eating tomorrow. This keeps you on track and will help you avoid impulsive eating and maximize weight loss.


2. Do not eat anything 2 hours prior to bedtime. You may drink herbal tea or flavored water but do not eat. This will give your body time to kick into fat burning mode.


3. When going out to dinner, pick menu choices that are either grilled or broiled. Avoid creamy sauces such as Alfredo or any other sauce made with cream. Stick to tomatoe or herb-based sauces. Always get a garden salad and ask for the dressing on the side. Hint: Dip your fork into the dressing before picking up the salad. You will get a bigger taste of the dressing without the volume.


4. The key to weight loss is portion control. I will show you how.


5. Remember, this is not a diet. DIETS DO NOT WORK! This is a change in your lifestyle. This is how you will learn to eat from now on. This is not a race to the finish. The slower you lose your weight, the healthier you will be and the less likely you will be to gain it back. After the first few weeks, your goal should be 2-3 pounds per week. You should not be losing more than that. If you are losing more than that, you need to add some healthy choices to your daily meals.


6. Last but not least, exercise. I hate to exercise so I am not one for going to the gym. I implement exercise into my daily routine by walking the dog or going for a walk after dinner. I chase the kids around the house or up and down the stairs for 15 minutes. When I clean my house, I move a little faster. I usually listen to my iPod when cleaning. The point is, do whatever you enjoy that will get your heart rate up for 20 minutes a day. That's it. You don't need a gym or fancy workout equipment. Of course, if you like to work out, more power to you. It will only help you achieve your goal weight faster.


Once you reach your goal weight, you can add more healthy food choices to your daily meals in order to maintain your healthy weight. These are the secrets I have used for 14 years to keep my weight off. Those are some of my weight loss success secrets.