Weight Loss Tips to Help Shed Pounds.

If you are like me you tend to gain a little weight around the holidays. Too many exceptions are usually made at parties or for traditional holiday foods that bring back good memories.

The danger is that these exceptions carry on longer than the holidays and lead to making more exceptions and can gradually turn into habits. We tend to develop a taste for high fat and sugar foods that have very little nutritional value but are loaded with calories and can rack up the pounds very quickly.

I have developed some basic strategies and tips to help you turn around any bad eating habits that may have developed over the holidays.

1. Weigh yourself every day. This will help you be committed to losing the weight.
2. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. Sometimes we think we are hungry but it may be because you are thirsty and really craving water.
3. Increase physical activity. A good goal would be 10,000 steps per day. Not only will this burn more calories but you will also feel better and have more energy
4. Be very choosey with any late night snacking. Since you have minimal energy requirement while sleeping your body stores those extra calories as fat.
5. Sleep at least 7 hours per night. Lack of sleep leads to daytime drowsiness and poor eating for quick energy.
6. Cut out bread rice, pasta and processed foods. These are all high carbohydrate. Lean toward high protein foods which tend to be much more satisfying.
7. Eat more frequently. Try eating every 2-3 hours. Eat some fruit or a vegetable snack. This can help stave off the hunger pains.
8. Tell your family that you are going to lose weight. This will help keep you accountable.
9. Think ahead and plan meals. The battle begins at the grocery store.
10. Limit fast food. Most fast foods are very high in fat. Try bringing leftovers from home for lunch.

Remember this is not a diet plan. This is a lifestyle modification. I f you can make these healthy habits part of your usual routine you do not need to "diet" to lose weight.