Simple tips on dieting and losing weight

As many of you know, I used to be obese. Even though I was bullied for it, I didn't start wanting to lose weight till I realized how unhealthy I felt about myself. I figured I'd list out some tips and tricks to losing weight effectively. Hopefully this will change someone's life :)

I know at first you may seem skeptical, but take it from me. I used to weigh 170 lbs in high school and now 6 years after I first started losing weight, I've constantly remained at about 100lbs.

1) Change your outlook. Stop being pessimistic and take it a day at a time. Wake up every day and tell yourself you can change and you will change.

2) Drink more water. I know there are some people out there that say they drink enough, but regardless, increase your water intake. Drink AT LEAST 8-10 glasses of preferably cold water a day. I say cold water because it tends to make your body work to keep yourself warm thus giving yourself a mini calorie boost.

3) Reduce meal size and increase frequency. Try to eat 5-6 small meals instead of 3 large ones a day; try to have dinner by 8, at the latest. My usual meal plan used to be:
-Quaker Maple & Sugar Oatmeal with Almond Milk, and 1 cup of whole milk with 1/4 cup of coffee, and a fruit of some sort (apple)
-Scrambled eggs and a can of tuna with black pepper and chili flakes with an orange and 2 cups of water
-handful of almonds and a salad with honey
-roasted turkey sandwich on rye bread, with white american cheese, lettuce, tomato, and peppers
-baked tilapia with onions, lemon zest, and cilantro

Yes, I would eat this every day. Not the same thing, sometimes I'd substitute salmon for tilapia, I would eat a Boca burger from Publix instead of the turkey sandwich, I would add meat to my salad, or whatnot. But the general gist of it is: EAT HEALTHY.

4) Make sure you're getting enough proteins and carbs in your diet, and good fats. If you decrease your fats too much, you'll be prone to weight gain later on.

5) Give in to temptation. If you crave sweets or junk food. Give in. Eat a tiny piece of chocolate (not the whole bar), eat a handful of chips (not the whole bag). Or you can just eat a sweet fruit to trick your mind into thinking it got what it was craving. In the long run, you will be happier with your weight loss and more efficient at keeping at it than if you were to completely cut out sweets from your diet.

6) Workout. Cardio. Muscle. Combo. It doesn't matter. Switch it up from day to day to keep your body confused. Run on the treadmill for 30 minutes one day and then do squats and abs the next day. Always keep your body guessing because the last thing we need is hitting a weightloss plateau.

Remember: it takes 28 days to form a habit, so keep going :) you'll see progress eventually.

P.S. I will be writing more in depth about weightloss so keep your eyes out!