Many of us want a healthy, slim body, but putting forth the effort to reach that goal can be a challenge! We often throw ourselves head first into a comprehensive exercise and diet routine, only to get burnt out and overwhelmed a few days later. Losing weight and getting healthier is an attainable goal, however, and by making a series of minor changes to your diet and daily routine, you can gradually meet your weight loss goals!

If you took careful inventory of every single bit of food that you ate, you would likely be amazed by the amount of sugar and fat you consume without even knowing it! Sodas, for example, are notoriously full of sugar, and many people have lost several pounds simply by eliminating soda from their regular diet. Likewise, we often think of salads as a healthy dietary choice, but if you pour on the salad dressing, your healthy salad could easily have several hundred calories coming simply from fat! Start reading food labels to become more mindful of the amount of sugar and fat that you are consuming. To be sure, your body needs a certain amount of sugar and fat to survive, but the vast majority of us eat far, far more than we need.

Many a weight loss attempt has been undermined by mindless snacking. Eating a candy bar here, some chips there…snacking can really add up and destroy your weight loss efforts. You can never go wrong with fruits and vegetables, so make sure that your kitchen is well stocked with healthy snacks such as bananas, carrots, apples, and oranges. Avoid buying unhealthy snacks such as chips, and you will be less likely to undermine your weight loss efforts. Substitute popcorn for chips if you must, and go easy on the butter!

Little changes to your routine can add up. Go for a 15 minute walk every morning and every evening, and you’ll easily add an extra three and a half hours of exercise to your week! Take the stairs rather than the elevator, and park your car in the furthest parking space in the parking lot. If you like watching TV, do push ups or jumping jacks during the commercial breaks. If you live close to your work, consider walking or riding your bike a few times a week.

Although it can be tempting to try the latest dietary supplement or pill that promises rapid weight loss, you will be far better off saving your money. Fad dietary supplements and pills fail to provide healthy, sustainable weight loss, and often provide no noticeable change. Lasting weight loss is only achieved through a sensible diet and regular exercise. Remember, the fad diet industry is trying to sell you a product!

Getting in shape and losing weight is a manageable goal, and is one of the best steps that you can take to better your health. Small changes can add up to big results in the long run! Hopefully, you have a lot of success.