Tips and Helpful Pointers

As all successful MFPers already know, counting calories does work!! So this is for the doubtful and skeptical new comers like I once was. In order to count calories and see satisfying results, here are some helpful hints that worked great for me!

1. DRINK lots of water. Get it at least 4 bottles a day if you can manage. It will be your best friend during these times, and you'll find that it really makes a calorie difference since it doesn't have any. Try to stay away from the sodas and sugary drinks, they enemy territory. The sugar throws the pounds on your body, slows you down and draws from your energy, and lastly racks up you calorie intake. Try eliminating them from your diet and drinking only water for a few days and see the difference it makes on your body.

**For those looking for that extra boost to eliminate belly fat, have more energy, or feel fuller faster, Google "The Lemonade Diet" (a fast for 7 to 10 days). Drinking a bottle or two a day helps for all those things.

2. LATE night meals are a no-no. We've all heard it, but for most people it is absolutely true. Aim to eat your dinner or last meal before 6pm, 7pm the absolutely latest if you must. When you go to bed just a few hours later, it's harder for your body do digest and get rid of all that food while you're sleeping. Even if you did everything right during the day including a good exercise, you'll find that that one meal can hinder your hard work and your weigh-in number probably did not change.

3. WEIGH yourself often. You might've been like me, afraid to stand on a scale and see that dreaded number, or forcing myself to do it again week after week. But now, after embracing the number I have and accepting the fact that It needs to change, I do it first thing in the morning and actually look forward to it. I'm anxious to see how the efforts of the day before paid off. and if it didn't I know I must work harder today. It builds great momentum and believe me, once you start to see that number drop everyday, it can be one of the most exciting feelings in the world and sometimes the best part of your day.

4. EXERCISE every chance you get. If it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking the dog around the block just one more time, try to get it in any chance you get. Exercise doesn't have to be something you dread. Do something that will make it interesting and wiggle your workout in your day somewhere. If listening to music or watching tv isn't enough, volunteer to take the kids to the park, ask your friend to walk with you to the shop instead, or walk to the second nearest bus stop rather than the closest one to you. One workout I've begun to favor are the stairs, as I live on the 3rd floor. All years I hated them, but now it's a stair-master right outside my door. Walking up and down stairs for 30 mins alone can burn more than 300 calories!

6. FOCUS on your goal. Even when all your friends are eating that delicious looking pasta, or when you smell that amazing pizza. After a while, you will see these foods differently, especially the greasy ones. When eating out, order the smaller portion or the meals that have a healthier indication on it. Ask your waiter for a calorie and nutrition sheet for their menu. When you're at home craving that burger or that chocolate cake, drink another bottle of water and be strong! Encourage yourself when no one else will! Try to remember it will all pay off when you step on that scale again and the number dropped just a little more than yesterday! You can do it!! You WILL do it!!