We’re a little early here, but what’s an hour and 40 minutes in the course of a lifetime? 
Weight-Loss Tips
This one is a little tougher, but I have a few things that I try to stick with and that have helped me in my journey.
- Drink lots of water.
- Cook only what you should eat.
- Weigh and measure everything.
- Write everything you consume down.
- Eats lots of veggies. Lots.
- If your mate doesn’t want to eat what you’re eating, get over yourself and cook two separate meals.
- Some condiments or ingredients can be switched out for low-fat or no-fat versions in a recipe without anyone knowing the difference. Figure out which ones they are and make the swap.
- Indulge yourself on occasion.
- Find yourself a good support system. Sometimes strangers on the internet can be your best friends in this and your family can be your worst enemy.
- Make small changes you can stick with indefinitely.
Most of these are pretty simple to employ. The toughest ones for me have been making myself willing to occasionally cook two separate meals, and to swap out some full-fat things for low- or no-fat options. I’ve found low-fat cheese is awful. Its dry and it doesn’t melt well. I don’t trade off on that ever. But margarine instead of butter, fat free broth, non-fat evaporated milk instead of full-fat, turkey bacon instead of actual pork (this took some getting used to), low-fat salad dressings (and staying away from the creamy ones most of the time) and a little cooking spray instead of a glob of butter or grease can make a difference over time.
The last two are the most important. Make all your changes small and manageable, so you can stick with them long-term. And find the support you need to get your past the rough patches. Everyone needs a cheerleader or an ass-kicking sometimes.
Now, go back to your blog, type out your tips, and then head over to Kenlie’s blog and link up in the comments!
I think your last tip is most important! It’s completely true…
I suppose that the plus side of being single is that I only cook for myself. I know the trade off would be worth it, but I’ll definitely be more appreciative of my freedom in that area…
Happy FMM!
Kenlie recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Weight-Loss Tips
Yeah, the last time I did this, I was single and in a way it was a lot easier. I think suddenly finding myself in a relationship and not knowing how to handle the changes was part of what made me give up, and then gain most of the weight back. This time I’m starting out telling myself that it doesn’t matter if he wants to eat it or not- the decision of what I eat is mine, not his, and I have to control what goes into my mouth, and live with that. I do compromise here and there, and I know he does too. That’s another reason I want to try out a ton of new recipes this year. I don’t want to have tired old menus of the same stuff, and I want to find healthy options we both can nejoy!
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Followed you over from FMM. Reading your tips made me think of a new one we are doing here– so i guess I had better go add it to my list! lol Great tips!
Jodi recently posted..FMM… Instagram Feb Photo Challenge!
Glad I could remind you of something else!
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Stopping in from FMM…
Great tips!
I don’t skimp on the cheese either. I would rather have a little tiny piece of the full-fat stuff than a ton of the low/non fat stuff. My nutritionist approved of that method too…it’s always helpful knowing a professional agrees.
hehe I tried the reduced fat stuff and was very disappointed. Never again!
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
You really hit the nail on the head with your list. They are all integral to successful weight loss. I am still working towards my goal, but I can honestly say once I started making my goals small and more manageable weight loss and a commitment to fitness got a lot easier. I also believe that a good support system is so important during weight loss. Ultimately we have to go it alone, but it is nice to know people care and are cheering for us.
Aimee recently posted..Disney Marathon Part 1
That’s one I forgot! Lots of small, attainable goals! I have tons of them, most only a few pounds from each other, so the steps are small and seem easier.
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Twitter: Sabrina_Alex
Visiting from FMM! First, what an awesome blog! I am going to explore it after I hit “post comment”.
Second, I really think you nailed this one. I struggle with the first time. I never seem to drink enough water, and it’s not because I am drinking other things, I just don’t hydrate myself well. And like Kenlie said, the last tip really is the most important.
Sabrina recently posted..36 Weeks to Disney!
Thanks!
Sometimes I struggle with that too. Most days I drink half a dozen bottles of water, but sometimes I might drink one all day, which is not enough.
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Twitter: tryingtotriblog
Great list! It is difficult to lose weight when you have a partner who doesn’t want to (or doesn’t need to, in my case!). I found ways to compromise (grilling lean meats that he will eat, making extra veggies for me, and potatoes, etc. for him), and some times, I just make my own meal and live with it. It’s even more challenging with kids in the mix!
Good luck, and yes, family can be the biggest hurdle to success!
Kris recently posted..Friend Makin’ Mondays: Weight Loss Tips
My bf could maybe lose 5 pounds. He’s in pretty good shape. And he eats anything and everything he wants. The biggest hurdle I face with cooking for both of us is he’s a very picky eater. If its something he actually likes, he’ll eat whatever I put on the plate. But sometimes I want a vegetarian meal or maybe something spicy- then I find myself cooking two separate meals because he has to have meat and he won’t eat anything the tiniest bit spicy. Bah! Boring! LOL
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Stopping by from Kenlie’s blog. I forgot to put weigh and measure everything in my list. I think weighing and measuring 90% of the food I eat has helped with my success tremendously.
Marla recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Its funny how something so simple can be such a boon to us in this!
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
I am blessed that my hubby also wants to eat healthy and get fit. While he doesn’t understand the struggles of being obese and trying to lose weight, he is very supportive in my choices in the kitchen. That makes things so much easier for me. Great tips! And I LOVE the random quote today!
Cat recently posted..Yay, It’s Monday!
That’s great Cat! My bf tries to be supportive but sometimes I still want to strangle him. He is getting better about it though.
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Came by from FMM. I’m intrigued by the two meals thing. My rule has always been I’ll make enough of what I’m eating for both of us, but if you don’t like it, you’re on your own. Hubby usually sucks it up and eats what I made, and he’ll always try it — but sometimes he’ll just put it in a tupperware for me to eat later and make himself something! You’re a much nicer person than I am to even entertain the idea of cooking a second meal!
To be completely honest, I’m willing to do two separate meals because if I put something in front of him that he doesn’t like, he picks it apart for an hour, eats 1 bite, says he’s full, then asks me an hour later to make him something else because he’s still hungry. That drives me crazy like you wouldn’t believe! Its just easier to do some things separate, since I’m already in the kitchen anyway.
Maybe I’m a pushover, but it doesn’t seem like its something to be worth fussing about when it comes down to it.
Deb recently posted..FMM: Weight-Loss Tips
Twitter: mamazaftig
Great tips!
I often have to make 3 separate dinners. One for me, a similar one to mine for my husband (since the man needs to gain, not lose), and one for my 4 year old. Not to mention the baby food. It gets really annoying, but it’s better than everyone complaining then eating all the fruit in the house.
Wow! That’s got to be time consuming! But I agree, better than the complaining!
Deb recently posted..Day 93
New to your blog. Thanks for the great tips.
Shara recently posted..Feeding a Family
Thanks for stopping by Shara! I hope some of them can help you in your journey!
Deb recently posted..Day 93