Here are 10 tips to help you kick start your quest for weight loss. They’re not quick and easy ways to shed 5 pounds in a week. That’s insane and totally unhealthy. These are lifestyle changes and habits you should incorporate into your everyday life. Let’s get real–weight loss is a war, not a battle. If you want to lose the pounds and keep them off, starving yourself for 3 days and then binging your brains out isn’t the way to go and it’s actually incredibly dangerous for you. Get smart. Get fit. Use these tips to help you get there.

Drink LOTS of water.

Can’t seem to get rid of lower belly fat, no matter how many crunches you do? Stop with the useless exercise and look at the real problem–not drinking enough water. When we don’t get our recommended 8 glasses a day, our body clings to whatever water it can. This causes excess water weight and, therefore, excess pounds. Plus, if you drink cold water, your body has to work in order to heat it up, which burns calories. It’s better for your body, skin and overall health. Click here for more info in water and weight loss.


Increase your fiber intake.

Soluble fibers (found in beans and fruits) help you feel full for a longer amount of time. Insoluble fibers (found in wheat bran, whole grains, nuts and vegetables) help regulate your digestive system. We’ve all seen the commercials about people not getting enough fiber. Start adding more to your diet now so that you benefit in the long run. More info.


Eat every 2-3 hours.

That’s right. Eating leads to weight loss. This doesn’t mean you should hop in the car every few hours and grab McDonalds at the drive-thru. Instead, eat 6 small and well-balanced meals a day, even if you’re not hungry. This keeps your engine fueled and your metabolism burning. Just make sure the meals are heavy on the fruits, veggies and protein and light on healthy carbs and fats. Click here for tips on how to make this lifestyle change.


Eat breakfast.

This is one of the most important tips of all. So often, girls skip meals, breakfast being the most common. Don’t do this! Skipping breakfast slows your metabolism down like crazy. Not only are you running on empty for the first 1/3 of the day, you’re missing out on eating when you metabolism is at its fastest. Live by this rule: eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a peasant. For more benefits of eating breakfast, click here.


Chew each bite of food 8-12 times before swallowing

Don’t wolf down your meals like a ravenous beast and end up in a food coma for the next two hours. Take your time while eating–especially while chewing–in order to give your stomach time to catch up with your mouth. The longer you take eating your meal, the sooner you’ll realize you’re full and will stop eating more. For more info, click here.


Use the stairs rather than the elevator.

This tip can be applied to all kinds of everyday exercise. Find ways to squeeze in fitness, even when you’re not trying to workout. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park further away in the parking lot so you have to walk to the store entrance. Use commercial breaks during your favorite TV show to see how many pushups or situps you can do. A little goes a long way. Here is a list of ways to add exercise into your daily routine.


Drink green tea.

Green tea has been proven to speed up your metabolism and burn extra fat. Drinking a cup a day can really help in your weight loss quest. Here are 52 reasons why green tea is great for your body and your health.


Keep healthy snacks around the house.

There’s nothing worse than having tempting treats hidden around your kitchen that are packed with fat and empty carbs. Kick them to the curb and do your body good by getting healthier options. Carrots, hummus, berries, cottage cheese, non-fat greek yogurt, bananas, apples and peanut butter are good staples when looking for a quick snack. Here is a slideshow of quick and healthy snacks.


Sit up straight.

Good posture has more benefits than just making you look confident. Sitting and standing up straight causes you to use muscles in your back and abs you normally don’t by slouching. Here is a posture test you can do at home.


Exercise.

This is the most obvious, but also one of the most important. Try to exercise 3-4 times a week. Exercise doesn’t mean spending endless hours at the gym. Even getting out for 30 minutes for a walk is better than sitting around on your computer. Whatever it is you do, do it! You’ll be happy you did.

Lizzy is a Merchandise Product Development major at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising L.A. She is highly influenced by J. Crew, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors and hopes to one day be designing and marketing fantastic fashions just like her icons.
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