Stay On Track For Weight Loss With These Tips

Trying to lose weight?  Me too.  I know that the next three days for me will be the make it or break it points. The cravings for pop and chocolate, followed by something salty and crunchy...ugh...It's always the end of any thoughts of losing these unwanted pounds.

But if you get to this stage, you are actually closer to meeting your goals than you think!  It's True!   The first day you try to reduce calories, you feel pretty good. But...the more you reduce your calories, the more your body starts fighting the change!   Headaches...hunger pains....irritability...All of those things are really just a way for your body to tell you it 's undergoing some big changes, and if you don't do something about it, things are going to change!

If you survive those first few days, and YOU CAN...  make it through just a couple bad days, you'll feel great by day number 4!  So...I'm on day two...The CRANKY day. Tomorrow will be day three...the SUPER CRANKY STAY OUT OF MY WAY DAY! These are going to be the most difficult days on my weight loss journey....wanting to eat everything in sight, having everything that tastes great and is terrible for you. Here are some tips to help you stay on track and get through those first few tough days..and on your way to feeling great and being healthy!  You CAN do it!

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Before you tear into a bag of chips or empty the candy machine at work....drink some water and wait 10 minutes.  MAYBE....your body is just thirsty.  Sometimes a glass of water is all it takes to get rid of those terrible pains.  If you can't stand to drink one more glass of water, try sparkling water, or brew some fruit infused tea.

EAT SEVERAL SMALL MEALS EACH DAY

If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you'll lose weight.  But when you're super hungry, eating fewer calories becomes very unimportant, as your body and mind starts telling you how good it would be to have a delicious, juicy hamburger, and then another! Studies show that peopele who are eating 4 to 5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight.  Eat small snacks or meals throughout the day, and then have a lean green dinner later on.

EAT PROTEIN AT EVERY MEAL

Protein is the best food to fill up with.  Protein is much more satisfying than carbs or fats.  Protein also keeps you full longer and helps preserve muscle mass.  Eating protein also encourages fat burning.  The best proteins to incorporate are healthy proteins like seafood, lean meat, egg whites, nuts and beans into your meals as well as snacks.

ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST

It seems like skipping breakfast would be an easy way to cut calories, but studies show the opposite can be true.  Not eating your breakfast can make you hungrier later, leading to too much nibbling and bing eating at lunch and dinnertime.  To lose weight and keep it off...always make time for a healthy breakfast, like protein shake, high fiber cereal, or low fat milk and fruit.

STOCK YOUR KITCHEN WITH HEALTHY, CONVENIENT FOODS

Having ready to go snacks and meals on hand will help you be successful in your efforts.  You'll be less likely to make a spin through the drive thru if you know that you have food that can be ready in a couple minutes once you get home.  Keep frozen veggies, whole grain pasta, reduced fat cheese, canned tomoatoes, beans and pre cooked grilled chicken breast, whole grain tortillas, pitas and bags of salad greens.

SWAP PASTA FOR VEGGIES

You could lose a whole dress size or pant size in a year just by skipping bread, and choosing veggies over pasta.  Veggies are always super good for you.  When you first start your change, choose raw, green veggies over peas and corn, and choose any type of veggie over fruits.  Slowly start adding a wide variety of fruits and veggies as you start your new food planning, once you get past the weight loss starting point of a few weeks.

SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP

When you're sleep deprived your body will over produce an appetite stimulating hormone called ghrelin, and under produce the hormone leptin,  which tells us when we are full.  Getting a good night sleep makes us feel rested and full, and keeps us from doing unnecessary snacking.

Keep these things in mind over the next few days.  Once you get past day number three...cravings should subside, and you should be in fat burning mode, watching your body change more drastically, and getting you to your healthy state.

YOU CAN DO IT!  Just realizing that you are heading to Fat Burning Zone, can keep you going for the two or three days of being uncomfortable, and get you on the right track to the body you want to live in.