Secrets of Success

Live Like You Already Reached Your Goal

I realized a good way to keep yourself exercising and eating healthy - and that's to do everything as if you've already reached your weight loss goal!

When you lose weight, your stomach shrinks along with you, making you feel full faster. Because you know this - and you don't want to stretch out your stomach - you are compelled to eat less. With this kind of mindset, you're eating less. This is a method of portion control.

I have already lost a few pounds by doing this! You can, too!

Eat your spanakopita (Greek spinach pie)

You can eat vegetables in lots of ways. You can eat them raw,boiled,roasted or fried. But what happens if you're not a veggie person or your kids don't eat their veggies? Try making a spinach pie recipe. It's healthy,tasty and you and your family will love it. It's a good source of Vitamin A & C.

Sleeping helps you lose weight

After daily weighing for a while, I've really noticed that I lose weight after a good night's sleep. So to avoid night time eating, DH & I go to bed earlier. We say, "Off to lose some weight" as we go to bed. I used to hate going to bed, now I am happy to take myself off.

Dont give up the junk foods you love all together

One day a week, usually saturday when I go places, I have a crap day. On this day I have a break off my diet and eat the junk food I cant have when I'm on my diet. Because of how driven I am toward losing weight, I'm at the point where chocolate and skittles don't seem very appetizing anymore, so instead i waste my calories for the day on going out to eat. This not only keeps you on your diet during the week but helps you lose weight due to the difference in calories.

portion control

Yes, I want candy! When I get a urge for sweets I let my self have just one. That only works if I don't bring it into the house. So, when at the store and temptations abound, I let myself choose one thing - a candy bar or a cookie, something small. I feel better with that than buying a whole bag or box of something. We don't have to deny ourselves. We just have to use portion control and keep temptations out of our everyday life.

Reward Yourself

Setting and reaching goals deserve to be rewarded. BUT don't reward yourself with food - we are not dogs. Reward yourself with a new outfit, trip to the spa or something you've wanted to do but couldn't because your weight held you back.

Drinking more water to hydrate and flush your system

My health club has a steam room and sauna. I will use both to relax and sweat, but also to hydrate my body inside and out. The heat makes you drink lots of water and cleans the pores. I also feel like I am on a mini vacation

Feel like I'm cheating -- it got so easy

I knew that alcohol had calories but didn't listen and drank daily anyway. Then I gave up alcohol and like magic, the weight started to come off. I've more than doubled the rate on my 2nd 10 lbs vs my 1st 10 lbs lost when I was drinking. It feels like I am cheating! And when not drinking, I'm less likely to overeat and more likely to get some exercise in. Plus with the extra calories available for my daily allotment - I have more choices in the foods I eat.

KILL YOUR CRAVING

TO KILL YOUR CRAVING FOR OTHER FOODS......DRINK A HUGE GLASS OF GINGER ALE WITH ICE AND FRESH LEMON AND EAT 2 DILLED PICKLES. IT WORKS.... ENJOY!

What steps should I take to lose weight?

Putting on extra weight while pregnant is, as we all know, part and parcel of the whole process. And it has it's plus points too - those bigger boobs make your hubby feel like a kid at Christmas! :)