Congratulations on taking the first step to losing weight! It may be a simple task for some people, but most people struggle with reaching their weight loss goals. Below are a few tips that will give you the edge over everyone else and get you ready to lose that extra weight!

Find ways to exercise all day to help lose weight. It’s hard for a lot of us to find time to go to the gym, but if you start finding little ways to get in some exercise, it can add up to losing pounds. Park as far away from the office as possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator and play with the kids at the park. Little items like this will make a dent in your weight loss.

A great way to help you lose weight is to change the way you think about yourself. If you’re overweight, you might think negatively about yourself, and that can sabotage any efforts that you make when trying to lose weight. Thinking positively about yourself is key in changing your lifestyle.

One weight loss tip that sometimes goes unnoticed, is to eat more at the beginning of the day and less at night. Think about it, you need energy to complete your tasks for the day, so it makes sense to eat a moderately large breakfast, a regular lunch and a modest dinner. Plus, it’s a good excuse to make eggs and bacon for breakfast (turkey bacon of course!).

When baking, try to reduce the amount of unhealthy fats that the recipe calls for. This can make your chosen recipe healthier in the long-run. Watch the amounts of whole fat milk, butter and oils and try to either cut their amounts down or find healthier alternatives.You can always use things like yogurt, healthier butter varieties, etc.

When you start losing weight, you will notice that your fat is starting to burn off. While this is happening, you are most likely going to get constipated. In order to counteract this, you should take fiber to help your digestive system with the change in your body’s food intake.

Eat more beans. Protein is great for your body when you are exercising and trying to lose weight. Meats are high is protein, but they can also be quite expensive. Beans are a great alternative. They are high in protein, inexpensive, and very filling. They also contain less fat than most meats.

You can lose weight while watching TV. Walk on a treadmill, do stretches on the floor or dance during the commercials. Short bouts of exercise can add up to the recommended 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Weight loss isn’t good for just you; it’s good for your whole family. Begin making subtle changes now, without announcing them, and your family will be better able to manage their weight too. Examples of this would be buying reduced-fat cream cheese, peanut butter, low-fat or nonfat cottage cheese, moving gradually to lower-fat or fat-free milk, and even reduced-fat cheeses, which can be quite flavorful.

One weight loss tip can be observed by looking at a certain group of people: the fidgeters. People who fidget are generally thinner than people who keep still. So if you’re not a naturally fidgety person, try to build some fidgeting into your routine. At work, if your environment permits it, when you take or make a phone call, get up and pace back and forth, jiggle your leg, or develop some other rapidly repeating movements you can do while attending to other tasks. Those micro-calorie burns will add up over time.

Increase your fiber intake. Fiber can help you feel fuller throughout the day. To add fiber to your breakfast, be sure to eat whole wheat toast. There are many high-fiber cereals available, such as Raisin Bran. You can also get fiber from eating fruit that has the skin on, such as apples.

If you’re pregnant, make sure you’re not on any kind of weight loss diet. You don’t want to lose weight during this critical time. If you’re dieting and trying to lose weight you’re not only depriving yourself of nutrients, but you’re depriving the baby of nutrients. Don’t forget that you’re eating for two (or three!) when you’re pregnant.

Eating vegetables and fresh fruits on a daily basis can be hard. Consider freezing either when possible to keep a host of options on hand at all times. Having frozen broccoli in the freezer makes it easier to throw together a healthy meal on short notice. This allows you to make the best decision possible and not have a reason for any other options.

If you would like to lose weight, stick to home cooked meals. Cook meals from scratch, to ensure that you’re eating healthy. Fast food restaurants reuse cooking oil over and over again. Each time it is reheated, it is thickened with toxins. If you follow this one tip, you can easily see your success, within 15 days or less.

Splurge on a great tasting meal made of low calorie foods every once in a while. Some foods that fall under this category include lobster, shrimp, and salmon. You will be rewarding yourself with a delicious meal while still sticking to low calorie intake. Looking forward to these meals can help you stick to your goals.

Drinking more water is a great way to lose weight. Before meals, drinking a glass of water can help reduce the amount that you eat because you will not be as hungry. Water also serves as a replacement for high calorie beverages such as soda. Finally, water keeps you hydrated when you are exercising or working out which helps you go longer. Try to incorporate more water into your day!

Hopefully these tips have given you the motivation and information you needed to get on your way to achieving your dream weight. While it may not be an easy road ahead, keep pushing yourself and eventually you’ll reach your goal. Just keep your goal in sight and don’t quit. Good luck!