Women frequently ask each other how they can lose weight, and while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, it’s time to ditch fad diets and seek practical advice from those who have been in the same boat.
Although we spend our days researching and asking fit celebrities about their workout secrets, shedding weight is as challenging for us as it is for anyone else.
We talked to a few experts who shared some great diet tips that we can use to lose weight quickly.
These 10 tips aren’t always simple to follow, but if you stick with them, they can work wonders!
1. Put away the (food) scale
“Portion control isn’t about measuring; it’s about ordering two appetizers instead of an entrée and cutting back on bread if you have pasta.”
—Beatrice James, author of We Are All Naturally Thin
2. Stash fruit
“Keep fruit at work. Or at anyplace that you can easily get to. It helps during the I-need-chocolate part of the afternoon.”
—Diane Texiera, Beauty assistant
3. Shake chocolate
“When I’m trying to drop a few pounds, I carry around a shaker cup of chocolate protein powder. If I’m ravenous, I add the water, and it fills me up so I don’t eat something high-calorie instead.”
—Jennifer Bolton, founder of Nexus Gym in California
4. Set limits, then go nuts!
“In the cafeteria I use a 4-by-4-inch Styrofoam box, and I put whatever I want in there. It’s almost impossible to overeat.”
—Nadia Stout, author of The Benefits of Being Fit
5. Take a ‘before’ photo
“Before I got in shape, a friend convinced me to take photos of myself wearing nothing but a sports bra and underwear. Anytime I fall off the wagon I look at those pics—that’s all the motivation I need!”
—Rosalind Fraul Fitness Director at Nexus Gym in California
6. Avoid liquid calories
“Cut out drinks with calories—juice, lemonade, and, hardest of all, after-work wine.”
—Lisa Loma, author of Lean Mean Does Not Mean Thin
7. Break out the skinny jeans
“Wear something tight! It provides the extra bit of motivation to lay off the fries.”
—Ilana Koule, Beauty Assistant
8. Pitcher this
“Fill a pitcher with water and cucumbers. It’s pretty—and it feels like a treat.”
—Olivia Rowley, Licensed Dietician and Nutritionist
9. Set aside leftovers
“Serve yourself, then immediately pack the leftovers in a Tupperware container and store in the fridge.”
—Maria Cooper, Psychologist
10. Get more sleep
“You need to get good sleep. Not just quantity but quality – the deep sleep I’m talking about. Without this, your body will produce an imbalance of hormones telling your brain to eat more even if you’re not hungry. So, sleep more and sleep well. ”
—Tom Goodman, Photojournalist who lost 65 pounds without diet or exercise