I’ve been super health conscious ever since I lost 30 pounds in 2016. But, I'm human. I mean, when your husband offers to take you to the Minnesota State Fair for your birthday on his dime, you over indulge, right?!

So, I’m working on eating healthier and shedding my extra state fair weight.Here are a few things I learned in my weight loss journey!

Your ultimate goal should be to change your lifestyle and be able to eventually sustain your target weight. Obviously you should be exercising on a regular basis, but here are some things you can be doing to help those extra pounds melt off. And, keep in mind it’s all about developing disciple. Remember that it’s hard to develop discipline and it’s easy to lose it.

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1. Drink a lot more water. Like, when you think you’ve had too much, drink more. Most people think they’re hungry when their bodies are just thirsty. So, before you eat ANYTHING, drink a glass of water and then see if you still feel super hungry.

2. Eat little meals more often. Seriously, you should never feel hungry if you’re eating properly. Pack a few extra apples, bananas, oranges and carrot sticks in your lunch bag. Have a light snack every 2 hours or so. You will eat less because you won’t feel as hungry and fill up on the wrong food.

3. As tempting as it is, skip the treats in the break room. I’d avoid the break room altogether for a few days. People always seem to bring their leftover holiday treats to work for like two weeks after Christmas vacation...and tons of candy after Halloween. Avoid gaining more weight by just staying away.

4. Skip the salad dressing and instead add fresh salsa to your meals. You would think this would be a no-brainer, but it’s not a salad topping that my brain automatically thinks of when I’m putting my meals together. I mean, I love ranch as much as the next girl but it’s definitely a weight loss killer. Also, instead of adding butter and tater topper to your baked potatoes, put some salsa on top to give it flavor. It’ll taste amazing and it’s better for you.

5. Set actual goals. If your goal is as vague as “losing weight” then you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, decide how much weight you want to lose and in what time frame. This way, you’ll be able to actually measure your success.

6. Log your food and track your calories. It’s kind of a pain in the butt, but there’s a reason why people do it–because, it works. If you don’t know how many calories you’re eating in a day, you’re just asking for trouble.

7. Get into a good sleeping routine. It’s important for your body to get enough sleep. It’s easy to get out of a good sleeping cycle when you’re on vacation. Go to bed early and get up early.

8. DITCH THE SODA and the alcohol. Pop is so bad for you. I know so many people who are trying to lose weight and they think drinking diet soda is OK because it doesn’t have any calories. News flash, the calories in soda are not the only weight loss killers. Alcohol such as red wine can have health benefits, but will ultimately hinder your success. Don’t drink your calories.

9. Have a game plan. Losing weight is all about planning ahead. Start thinking about your Super Bowl plans right now. That way, you can start to plan alternative meals for yourself so you can stay on track with your diet. The same goes for any other event in your life. If you’re going out to eat with your family, check out the restaurant’s menu ahead of time to figure out healthy alternatives. If you go to the restaurant with a game plan, it’s harder for you to be tempted to order french fries and loaded baked potatoes.

10. Get a buddy. Last year when I lost my weight, I didn’t do it alone. My husband decided to eat right and workout with me too. It was easier to achieve my weight loss goals having someone else who was going through the same things I was.

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