We have exactly six weeks until Memorial Day. Twelve until the 4th of July.
A healthy weight loss program says that you can lose anywhere from a half to two pounds per week.
In a six-week period, that says you can lose from three to 12 pounds. In a twelve-week period, you can lose from six to 24 pounds. These are realistic figures. And, doable!
Yes, you can do this and not starve!
Drink lots of water. This is going to be a huge theme with me. Water is the best thing you can drink. Replace your sodas with water. This includes diet sodas! Besides the sugar from the full-verson sodas, the carbonation bloats you. The artificial sweeteners are doing you no good whatsoever. Many times when you think you are hungry, you are really thirsty. So, try drinking a cup of water or two, and wait 20 minutes. If you're still hungry, then eat a little something.
Plan your meals the night before. - No matter what diet plan you are on, planning your meals is very helpful. Especially if you are just starting or have problems sticking to your diet.
Take your breakfast and/or lunch and snacks with you to work. Or on errands. This will stop you from stopping at the store and buying a pack of cookies or chips.
Eat breakfast. - Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. You don't have to eat as soon as you wake up. When I was working, most of the times I didn't eat until I got to work, which was usually two & a 1/2 to three hours after waking up. However, eating breakfast will get your metabolism going. "I'm not hungry." "I'm not a breakfast eater." If you train your body not to need breakfast, then your body thinks you don't need it. However, in order to lose weight, you HAVE TO EAT! And, you won't be starving by lunch time, ready to rush to the nearest fast food place!
Breakfast Ideas
- A bowl of oatmeal. You can use the little packages. However, one package was not enough to fill me up. I trained myself to like Plain Quick Oats, and added my own banana, blueberries, raisins & cinnamon, strawberries to it.
- Whole grain cereals, such as Raisin Bran, Fiber One, Kashi Go Lean is really good.
- Vitalicious Muffins. Instead of a huge muffin from the cart guy, look into these. They are full of fiber!
- Fat free yogurt and fruit.
Look for leaner choices of meats. Pork loin, center cut, skinless chicken, ground turkey and beef (try for 93% to 95% lean).
Look for lower-fat, higher fiber products. Low fat is considered 3g per 100 calories. You should look for at least 4 grams of fiber.
Snacks - Fruits and vegetables. If you train yourself to eat these, you will lose the cravings for the sugary, high fat junky foods. Fat free yogurts. Baked chips. Try some of the 100 calorie snacks. They are a bit more expensive, but perfect serving sizes.
Replace your full-fat milk with 1% of fat-free. The fat content of 2% isn't much different than regular milk.
EXERCISE! This doesn't mean become a workout machine if you haven't been. But, find something you enjoy. Jumping rope, roller blading, skating. Turn the music up and dance while you clean!
These are just some things you can do to lose some weight before swimsuit season is here.
Please check Say Goodbye to the Pounds for other ideas.
Copying comments from original post:
Hi, thanks for the reminder on exactly where we're at in the new year....yeah, not exactly New Year's anymore, but it's good to think about just how much we can accomplish in the next 6 - 12 weeks....look how much time has passed since many folks made those New Year's resolutions!
I'm all for doing it Now - if we don't start now, then when?
Great tips! I will have to give some of these a shot.
I've joined Self Challenge 2008 yesterday.
We shall see if that will work out.
Thank Goodness I love water. That helps already a bit
I'm not a big fan of Low fat products. Don't know why though. Something about them.
Back
I just don't remember what I wrote this morning
But I guess it doesn't matter - great post