Weight-loss expert Vickie Cummings, author of "Diet Tips For Busy Chicks" ($24.95, Rough Draft), has these tips for getting the weight off and keeping it that way.
1: Start TODAY
The time to begin is now!
2: Pay attention to your daily calorie intake
You can easily identify foods and beverages that are detrimental to your fat-loss efforts.
Removing some or all of these from your diet will have an immediate effect.
3: Consume fewer calories, not less food
You don’t need to eat less food to lose weight. Instead, you need to consume fewer calories; that is, eat foods that are ‘nutrient dense’ compared to those that are ‘energy dense’.
4: ‘Low fat’ or ‘fat free’ does not mean no or low calories
Be wary of slick marketing. The extra sugar that goes into your ‘fat free’ biscuits is what makes them taste so good and will only add to your calorie intake.
5: Trust your body
As you become more diet savvy you can be confident that your sense of what your body needs will take over.
6: Commit to a ‘feel-good’ day at least once a week
Increase your water consumption, skip or reduce processed foods, increase your intake of plant-based foods and go without alcohol. You will be amazed at how great you feel.
7: Do it for yourself
No-one cares more about your health and your looks than you do.
8: Don’t give up your favorite foods
Every Busy Chick has her favorite treat. Allow yourself a little indulgence, but watch out for the frequency and the quantity.
9: Choose exercise or an activity you enjoy
The reason so many Busy Chicks fail with a new exercise program is they choose exercises that are repetitive, boring, too difficult or offer little motivation to keep going. Find something you enjoy, so that you stick with it.
10: Don’t be fooled by fads
Most fads reduce your calorie intake substantially, which may lead to a quick initial weight loss, but it compromises your metabolism. And as soon as you start to eat normally again the weight creeps back on
