Thursday, January 1, 2009

Nine Ways to Lose Pounds in 2009

By Dorthy Weatherbush

Nobody likes the word 'diet'. It brings to mind scrimping and going without all the things you love. It's especially difficult to reinforce your will power after the holiday season.

But it isn't all terrible. There are many ways to quickly lose unwanted weight without starving yourself and it really is quite easy - as long as you know how to do it. Start the New Year off right with great weight loss results by following these easy tips.

Here are the top nine tricks to staying slim in 2009.

1. Water So many people avoid drinking simple water, yet it's one of nature's best ways to clean out your body at the same time as helping to shed those pounds. Drinking enough water doesn't have to be difficult. Simply drink a glass of water before each meal or snack and you'll suddenly find you're rehydrated, feeling less bloated and you're suddenly less tempted to reach for the sugary snacks.

2. Fiber Fiber gives another opportunity to help you lose weight and make you feel full at the same time. By adding fiber to your diet, you can actually reduce and get rid of awful hunger pangs. Foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and beans will increase your intake of fiber, making you feel full faster and lose weight faster too!

3. Snacks Dieting does not mean going without food. You should feel free to snack whenever you are hungry. Your metabolism will increase just by eating more. Be careful however, of the types of snacks that you choose to eat. It's always okay to eat nuts and fruit; you can also add a snack size tub of yogurt or baked rice crispies. When it comes to snacking, just be careful about the snacks you choose to eat.

4. Walk Take every opportunity to walk. Take the stairs at work instead of using the elevator. Park in the back of the parking lot at the store and walk the long distance. Stroll around the neighborhood with your dog, or with a friend. You can also switch on your stereo at home and walk around your house!

5. Grill it don't Fry it Stop frying your foods and try grilling them. Grilling is easy and takes less time than frying. It's also healthier and has fewer calories.

6. Side Dishes We've been trained over the years to believe that meals aren't complete without fries on the side. Replace fries with a simple salad or with some steamed vegetables.

7. Processed Foods Pre-packaged chicken and ham slices may be convenient and easy, but they are hardly healthy. That is because these options have high levels of salt. Salt makes your body retain fluid and makes it harder for you to stay slim. Avoid pre-packaged processed foods, and instead by fresh options whenever you can.

8. Keep It Lean You can still eat red meat or poultry, just be sure to buy the leanest cuts you can find. Trim off any excess fat and remove the skin from chicken and then grill your meat to keep the goodness in and the fat levels down.

9. Meal Replacement Meal replacement diets can be a very handy way to shed pounds quickly. Simply replace your normal lunches with a great replacement shake so you're still getting all the nutrients you need without all the calories to go with it.

Keep up with these simple tips and you'll be surprised how easy it is to lose weight quickly.

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