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Ten Simple Tips for Losing Weight and Keeping it Off

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Diets drive everyone crazy. They may work to drop a few pounds, but most of the weight returns. Here are 10 simple tips to help lose weight and keep it off.

Diets drive me crazy. Although they may work to drop a few pounds, most of the time the weight comes back and then some—especially when you return to old routines. The key (in my humble opinion…) to losing weight and keeping it off, is all about changing your lifestyle which includes eating better and exercising more… for life, not just 30 – 90 days or after you hit your goal weight (or fit into that new outfit or swimsuit.)

Recently I had a lengthy discussion on this topic with some friends, so I decided to write down the top ten tips I’ve come across over the years. Granted, I’m sure there are a million other trends and ideas out there—so for the tips I leave you, please spend 30 seconds and share your wisdom with the community through a quick comment below.

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1. Drink a glass of water before every meal

Extra credit, late at night if you get the munchies, grab another glass of water vs. that bag of chips. It doesn’t get simpler than this. It will take away hunger pains, make you feel fuller, and result in eating less.

Calories saved per week: 1500

2. Use small plates

Remember that old saying — “Your eyes were bigger than your stomach”? Small plates help you from overeating and possibly, even trick your brain into thinking you’re eating more. Now, before you go back for a second helping, read my next tip.

3. Slow down and enjoy your meal

Many people eat just way too fast which causes them to consume more calories than they need. It takes at least 20 minutes for our brain to get the message that we’re full and repeated studies show those who eat more slowly, both men and women, end up taking in fewer calories.

Eating slowly also allows you to chew your food properly which is essential for proper digestion and a healthy gut. That’s right, there’s a reason your mouth waters when you see, smell, or think about good food. Saliva not only lubricates your food making it easier to swallow but it’s also packed with enzymes that help your body break down and absorb its nutrients.

Calories saved per week: 1500

4. Cook with herbs and dry spices instead of saucesspice-weight-loss

Canned and jarred sauces you get from the store contain tons of calories and preservatives — whereas spices contain almost none and have other health benefits.

A tablespoon of mayo, for example, has 94 calories. Peppers, hot spices, and herbs on the other hand help speed up your metabolism and make you eat slower… because your mouth is on fire! Can you say Habanero!!!

The other cool thing is fresh herbs and spices are easy to grow on your windowsill so while you’re cooking, you can easily just pick what you need.

Calories saved per week: 500

5. Grease your pans with olive oil cooking spray or coconut oil

This is twenty-nine calories less than a teaspoon of butter. Now I know what you’re thinking.

Twenty-nine calories? That’s nothing!

Trust me; it adds up. Cook ten times a week and you just saved 290 calories!

Calories saved per week: 290 calories (yeah I know I already said that)

Coke Bottle6. Stop drinking Soda! Period. No exceptions

One can of Coke contains 138 empty calories. That’s nine teaspoons of sugar or 9.2 packets of sugar (in the USA). That’s a lot of refined sugar.

I also recommend ditching Diet Soda due to the unknown around some of the chemicals in the ingredients like aspartame which acts as a sweetener. Although the science is far from conclusive about its contribution to raising the risk of Cancer and Dementia, why take the risk? Stick with water or naturally flavored water.

Calories saved per week: 1380

7. Drink Black coffee, no more Lattes!

A tall Starbucks latte with 2% milk contains 150 calories and 75mg of caffeine. A Starbucks tall brewed coffee, however, has just five calories and 260mg of caffeine. So if the goal is a morning pick-me-up, the science is pretty straightforward. Oh, and a nice bonus is that brewed coffee is normally 50-60% less expensive than fancy foo-foo drinks. More caffeine for less cash baby! Bonus!

Now I know what you’re thinking, I can’t drink black coffee! OK fine, since you dropped all that milk which is packed with sugar, go ahead and add a sugar packet and one creamer. Just remember, each packet has 15 calories, and each creamer has 19.5 calories. Or better yet, use Xylitol. It’s all natural and is linked to good dental health which is why it’s included in many Gum and Toothpaste products.

Weekly Calories saved: 808

8. Work standing up

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Sitting all the time makes you fat, ruins your posture, and (spoiler alert!) murders you slowly. Science studies have shown that after sitting for an hour, your body slows production of fat-burning enzymes by as much as 90 percent. People who sit for at least half their day have shown a 54 percent greater chance of keeling over from a heart attack.

Sitting all the time makes you fat, ruins your posture, and (spoiler alert!) murders you slowly. Science studies have shown that after sitting for an hour, your body slows production of fat-burning enzymes by as much as 90 percent. People who sit for at least half their day have shown a 54 percent greater chance of keeling over from a heart attack.

This discussion has been going on since the 1950’s so it’s easy to find great information online about the benefits of standing vs. sitting. So, jump over to Outlook and shoot off an email to your HR department to swap out your desk for a standing desk. Although some might ask for a doctor’s note, more and more HR departments will hook you up, no questions asked.

And yes, I’ve written this groovy post while standing!

Calories burned per week: 828

9. Do your chores

Take care of needed work around the house and burn calories at the same time. According to my iPhone App Lose It!, mowing the lawn burns 371 calories per hour. Raking leaves and other general gardening chores burn 279 calories an hour.

Calories burned per week: 650

10. Go for a walk

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Walking helps avert diabetes and strokes and boosts your sex drive and brain function. The best part about this is you can pretty much do it anywhere, you don’t need a membership to a Gym, and you start today! 

Walking helps avert diabetes and strokes and boosts your sex drive and brain function. The best part about this is you can pretty much do it anywhere, you don’t need a membership to a Gym, and you start today! 

While you’re at it, adopt a dog. In a study by the University of Missouri, people who walked their dogs twenty minutes a day dropped an average of fourteen pounds in a year.

“If you and your dog are already in a routine of going for walks, try adding 50 percent to whatever you’ve been doing previously to get more steps in, says trainer Robert Dodds, C.P.T., founder of online fitness service Nothing Barred Fitness.”

Another great thing about walking is you can do it with friends and family which will no doubt lead to a happier life.

Calories burned per week: 3,500

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Like everything in life, success requires work and perseverance. Shortcuts don’t work which is why I don’t subscribe to diet fads or get-rich-quick schemes. Set a goal to implement a few suggestions over the next several months and as they become a habit, implement another that works for you.

Progress will be slow, I guarantee it. However, you will see results, the weight will come off and you will feel healthier in both mind and body!

I would love to hear your feedback and progress along with your simple health tips. Please join the discussion and drop me a comment or two!

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Brandy

    April 18, 2014 at 8:46 am

    Really great article. Read the entire thing.

    You forgot my favorite tip however. Get a good nights sleep! That’s a key to weight loss and feeling better!

    • Steve Krause

      January 28, 2017 at 11:18 pm

      Thank you Brandy. I’m glad you enjoyed the read. And yes – You nailed it! I totally forgot probably one of the most important tips. Getting a good nights sleep each and every night. There’s a lot of research tied to a good night’s rest (7 hours minimum) and weight loss.

      Thanks again!

  2. Ziggy

    April 24, 2014 at 7:09 am

    Great reading Steve. Particularly like the water tip. If you can’t get out to walk it’s just as easy to pace around your back yard for 20 to 30 minutes and enjoy the scenery whilst shedding some weight! Walking up and down a flight of stairs is another way of losing some kilos.

    Simple home duties can also help if you’re home bound and, if you’re energetic, do some needed repairs to the home/garden. Wash your car, paint the house, scrub your floors – really, just do any type of activity at your own comfortable pace.

    Most of all make losing weight enjoyable and fun. Set small goals and reap your rewards…

    • Steve Krause

      January 28, 2017 at 11:17 pm

      Thanks for the feedback Ziggy and suggestions. Couldn’t agree more! Also about taking baby steps around your health. You can’t expect a miracle. It takes time. What I’ve heard over the years is anything more than a pound a week is probably a bad idea…

      It’s all about changing your lifestyle (ie: poor eating and exercise habits) and then letting your body recover over time.

      Thanks again!

  3. Andre Da Costa

    January 29, 2017 at 7:21 am

    Excellent tips! I was following the water tips, but slipped up. I need to get off the sugary drinks and I also need to be more active.

  4. Austin Krause

    January 30, 2017 at 12:09 am

    Another HUGE reason to stop drinking soda is the acidity. The acid.

    Even if you avoid the sugar and calories by going with a Splenda, or Stevia flavored soda, you are still going to rot your teeth because of the acid.

    Most soda’s use phosphoric acid or citric acid to achieve the sharp taste that they have. Unfortuantely this also puts most soda, for example Diet Coke w/ Splenda at a PH level of 2.5. That is roughly 100,000 more acidic than your tapwater.

    Your teeth were never meant to, and can not, handle soda.

  5. K

    January 30, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Yes, really enjoyed your article on weight loss, just started back on the DASH diet, lost about 30lbs last time, my doctor recommended it for high blood pressure, but the mayo clinic highly recommended it also. Loose weight feel better, avoid diabetics, heart trouble, kidney trouble – all that soda pop, remember secret word at restaurants (WATER) It has really caught on. Just purchased THE DASH DIET soft back by Dr. Thomas J Moore. Just be careful DO NOT BECOME A VETERINARIAN many people in our family our ANEMIC, & growing children need animal protein, milk, cheese

    • Kay Krause

      January 31, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Extra weight can be a problem

  6. Eve

    February 4, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    You forgot perhaps the most important — good sleep patterns.

    If you’re not getting enough sleep, you will suffer from a weight gain standpoint.

    -E

    • Steve Krause

      May 24, 2018 at 7:40 am

      That’s a really great point Eve. I forgot that one for sure. When I get a chance, I’ll update the article and add a bonus item – Number 11 – Get a lot of Sleep!

  7. Alex Dean

    May 23, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    Like everybody, I know I have a few pounds that I would like to loose. But I need some ideas on how to make sure that this possibility becomes a reality. I like how you suggested that one thing I can do is use small plates, that way I will stop overeating and maybe trick my brain into thinking I am eating more. Here’s hoping that this tip also tricks my stomach as well.

  8. John

    June 2, 2017 at 8:15 am

    My wife and I have been trouble losing weight, so we’ve been looking at getting some medical help in order to accomplish our goals. I feel like there are more things we could be doing on our own to lose weight though. I thought it was really cool to learn that drinking water before a meal could save you up to 1500 calories per week! It seems pretty simple, so I’d be willing to give it a shot!

    • Steve Krause

      June 2, 2017 at 9:47 pm

      Great to hear John. Although probably the hardest, getting rid of Sugar has led to huge success for me personally. Yes, I know… It’s hard!

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