You can easily lose 15 pounds in less than two months. These diet tips will have you looking and feeling your best in as little as six to eight weeks.
1. Write it all Down
Keep a diet journal in which you write down everything you eat and how much you exercise. This will help you monitor your plan to get the best results. You can also use it to track your progress by writing down your body measurements and pounds lost each week. If you aren't seeing the weight loss you are working for, you can analyze your journal to decide where to make your changes. You might need to exchange your favorite dessert for a low-calorie alternative, such as exchanging ice cream for a sugar-free frozen fudge bar. You can also use the journal to help you find which foods are the most satisfying for you. For example, if you find yourself hungry between breakfast and lunch, you can look at your breakfast for possible changes, or opt to add a snack before lunch. A diet journal is your customized plan for success.
2. Weigh Yourself Twice a Week
This will help you to make sure you are on the right track. Since you will need to lose about 2 to 3 pounds per week, checking your weight mid-week will let you know if you need to make any changes in your plan. If you haven't seen progress during the week, you may need to adjust your caloric and fat intake or add more exercise to burn extra calories. Use your diet journal to determine which changes will be best for you. Be sure to weigh yourself at the same time of day with as little clothing as possible. Early morning is usually the best time to get the most accurate results.
3. Eat
You won't be successful on your diet if you don't eat enough. When you deprive your body of fuel, it begins to slow down its processes and functions, including your metabolism. A slower metabolism burns fewer calorires and will hamper your weight loss, which is the opposite effect of what you are working to achieve. Eat no less than 1,200 calories a day, and eat several times throughout the day to stave off hunger.
4. Fill up on Fiber
When you eat the right types of food, you won't feel hungry on a diet. Fiber-rich foods take longer for the body to digest, thereby leaving you feeling satisfied longer. Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber, as are whole wheat grains. Nuts also have fiber. Eat a handful of them for a filling snack that also has antioxidants and protein. Eat a serving of yogurt with a piece of fruit to pair up your fiber with some calcium. Aim to eat at least one fiber-rich food at each meal. This is easy to do with a side of vegetables or a whole-wheat roll.
