Weight loss: Easy Ways To Cut Calories

Most of us are in routines that are just as much a regular part of our day as the first cup of coffee, or our morning shower. We have these habits because we've just done the same thing over and over again sometimes solely because they are a source of comfort to us. Well, as you know some habits are not in our best interest. By changing some very common habits, you can actually cut calories from your regular diet, and lose weight gradually. As you need to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound of body weight, making some of these changes can help you do this effortlessly. Here are some common ways to cut calories from your present diet without changing your life completely:

Typical Habit	Substitute	Total Calories Cut from Diet
2 tsp. Of sugar in your coffee	1 tsp. Of sugar in coffee	16 calories per cup
Soft Drink - just one can per day packs a whopping 120 calories (12 ounces)	Ice water, even diet soft drink	120 calories per can!!! If you break this habit, you'll save over 1,000 calories per week!!!
Potato Chips - 1 snack bag	10 rice cake chips	10 bite sized rice cakes have 60 calories; 1 bag of potato chips has over 500/17 grams of fat!
Hot chocolate	Diet/fat free	A savings of 80 calories per cup per day.
The house dressing on your salad at your favorite restaurant	Served on the side rather than all over the lettuce	You will use at least 1/3 less, and still retain the flavor you enjoy with the same satisfaction.

It is very difficult to change your life completely. Therefore, it is easier for you to change just a few things at a time rather than revamping your entire diet and life. You can lose and maintain weight without a significant amount of change in your life.

Sneak Some Calorie Burning Into Your Busy Day

Besides cutting calories from your diet, there are also ways you can burn more calories throughout the day. These are small changes that will contribute to your ultimate goal of weight loss.

For example, do you have a habit of parking in the spot nearest to the office? Consider the last spot and walking a little further. Take giant strides and move your arms for additional calorie burning activity. Better yet, if you live close enough to work, consider walking. You will certainly arrive at your workplace less stressed because you will not be fighting traffic every morning, and think of the money you'll save on gas for the car!!!

If making copies is a regular part of your job, try to do a few deep knee bends while you're waiting for your copies. This is a great thigh toner.

When you are sitting at your desk, be sure to take a few minutes for deep breathing exercises. Numerous studies have shown that deep breathing supplies oxygen throughout your system, enhancing you body's own natural calorie burning power.

Try switching from coffee to water before 10 a.m. Taking in several glasses of water per day is an excellent way to release toxins from your system and it delivers much needed fluid to your joints and organs. If you suffer from frequent headaches, backaches or fatigue with no medical cause, the culprit may be mild dehydration.

The most important thing to remember is that weight loss is an attainable goal. You do not need to be model thin. You do not need to make yourself unhappy or change your life dramatically to reach your goal. What I am recommending are some slow, and easy lifestyle changes. Small changes can grant great rewards.

Part 2

I lost 40 pounds when I was in high school. This was more than 17 years ago-I have maintained 32 pounds of that weight loss. How did I accomplish my goal? I went to habits), and I undertook an aerobic exercise program (this was really popular in the 80s). My journey began. It was a very gradual weight loss, but it was a weight loss. Believe me, it is truly difficult to be 15 years old and eating yogurt while your friends are eating French fries and chocolate candy. I'll bet you can guess who has the adult weight problem now? My friends who ate whatever they wanted as teens are battling the bulge now. People still cannot believe how much weight I lost and how I have kept it off since high school!!

The team approach can also help you attain your weight loss goal. Do you have a friend, family member or co-worker seeking to lose weight? Consider enlisting their help with a Buddy System. I think you will find this makes weight loss much easier, too.

Weight loss is to be looked at as a lifestyle change. Change is difficult, so if you can make your change gradually and ease your way into a complete lifestyle change, that will be better. Don't expect drastic changes in a short period because it takes time to lose weight. The slower you lose the weight, the longer you will keep it off. Just remember, you can do this, and you will do it!

I know how hard this battle is, and I also know that it can be won. You can decide if you will succeed or fail. The most important thing to remember is that when you "fall off the wagon", or eat something that you shouldn't just remember Scarlet O'Hara's famous phrase, "Tomorrow is another day". Remember that it is okay to make a mistake or get off track with your diet. You can always make a fresh start the next day, or just add a few minutes to your exercise routine, which is also very helpful to burn off those "naughty" calories.

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