10 Easy Ways to Control Your Weight

Seasons change and sometimes so does your weight! There are many, many ways to control your weight but some require more effort than others. Try these easy tips to make losing and controlling those extra pounds almost painless. Stress and inattention to your eating habits can really pile on the pounds.

1. Never eat from a bag. Pay attention to what you are eating while you eat it. If you have the whole bag next to you while you are doing any activity, you will finish off the bag before you know it! Put chips, popcorn, or candy onto a plate or in a cup to control your portion sizes. If you feel you need more, at least you burn a couple calories going to get that second helping.
2. Work with your sweet tooth. If you love sweets, try substituting fruit like watermelon, cantaloupe, or at least limit yourself to once a week treats. Candy is not only hard on your teeth, but contains too many empty calories to count!
3. Think about what you drink. Did you know that soda contains more than just sugar that is bad for you? There are 140 mg of sodium in one Coke, very bad for those with hypertension. Sports drinks, specialty coffees and teas, and even some juices have added calories that add up quickly.
4. Steer clear of those inner aisles of the grocery store. Take a list with you and stick to it. Dairy, produce, fish, and chicken are on the outside aisles. If you buy canned foods, go directly to those aisles and get back on the outside as soon as you can. Those inner aisles contain the pizza, ice cream, and fattening snacks.
5. Eat more fish. Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids, and if you substitute fish for meat just twice a week, you will lose weight. It also helps you lessen your risk of heart problems and lower your cholesterol. Bake it, broil it, or grill it with a dab of olive oil and then add your favorite spices for a satisfying meal.
6. Consider your stress level. Being in debt, surviving a rough divorce, or too many social engagements can cause your stress level to rise. Try to work with your debtors to find a workable payment plan that doesn’t choke your budget, you can’t change your “ex” – so just try to be civil and get through the situation, tell friends you can only go out twice a week. Stress causes many people to overeat; recognizing and controlling that stress is one key to weight reduction and maintenance.
7. Use smaller plates. Using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate can help you eat less and still feel satisfied because your mind still sees a “plate” of food. Just remember to fill the surface of the plate – don’t pile it higher, ha ha.
8. Eat foods that crunch. Carrots, celery, apples, and radishes make noise and contain fiber without adding a lot of calories to any diet. Substitute these favorites in salads and instead of chips with sandwiches and you will see a weight change in about two weeks.
9. Face your weight on a daily basis — literally. Take a photo of yourself in a swimsuit and post it on the refrigerator. You’d be surprised how motivating that photo will become. Remember the old saying, “a moment on the lips, forever on the hips.” Momentary satisfaction will soon lose out to long-term goal attainment.
10. Remember the kids. If you have children, remember, they learn from what they see you do. If you eat natural snacks like fruit and have reasonable portions at dinner, they will too. Limiting candy and sodas will help them develop good eating habits and maybe they won’t ever face weight problems.

Whether you use all these tips or even just one of them, just remember that YOU are in control of your weight. Of course, exercise helps, but I said these tips would be easy, so it wasn’t included this time around. Not ready to make these tips part of your routine? Okay, start slow with this article, http://factoidz.com/25-delicious-10-calorie-snacks-for-dieters/.