We often hear women ask each other “How can I lose weight?” There isn’t a one answer fits all solution but if you’re sick of chasing fad diets, then it’s time to hop off the bandwagon and get some down-to-earth advice from people who have been there, done that.
Sure, we spend our days sifting through the latest research and asking super-toned celebrities about their workout secrets. At the end of the day, though, peeling off the pounds is just as challenging for us as it is for anyone else.
We spoke to a few experts who gave us some neat diet tricks that we can follow to lose simply lose weight fast. These 10 diet tricks aren’t always easy to stick to, but if you stick to them like we have, they work wonders!
1. Put away the (food) scale
“Portion control isn’t about measuring; it’s about ordering two appetizers instead of an entrée and cutting back on bread if you have pasta.”
—Beatrice James, author of We Are All Naturally Thin
2. Stash fruit
“Keep fruit at work. Or at anyplace that you can easily get to. It helps during the I-need-chocolate part of the afternoon.”
—Diane Texiera, Beauty assistant
3. Shake chocolate
“When I’m trying to drop a few pounds, I carry around a shaker cup of chocolate protein powder. If I’m ravenous, I add the water, and it fills me up so I don’t eat something high-calorie instead.”
—Jennifer Bolton, founder of Nexus Gym in California
4. Set limits, then go nuts!
“In the cafeteria I use a 4-by-4-inch Styrofoam box, and I put whatever I want in there. It’s almost impossible to overeat.”
—Nadia Stout, author of The Benefits of Being Fit
5. Floss for dessert
“Brushing my teeth after dinner makes me less likely to eat again before I go to bed.”
—Joanne Liu, author of Keep Me Thin
6. Take a ‘before’ photo
“Before I got in shape, a friend convinced me to take photos of myself wearing nothing but a sports bra and underwear. Anytime I fall off the wagon I look at those pics—that’s all the motivation I need!”
—Rosalind Fraul Fitness Director at Nexus Gym in California
7. Avoid liquid calories
“Cut out drinks with calories—juice, lemonade, and, hardest of all, after-work wine.”
—Lisa Loma, author of Lean Mean Does Not Mean Thin
8. Break out the skinny jeans
“Wear something tight! It provides the extra bit of motivation to lay off the fries.”
—Ilana Koule, Beauty Assistant
9. Pitcher this
“Fill a pitcher with water and cucumbers. It’s pretty—and it feels like a treat.”
—Olivia Rowley, Licensed Dietician and Nutritionist
10. Set aside leftovers
“Serve yourself, then immediately pack the leftovers in a Tupperware container and store in the fridge.”
—Maria Cooper, Psychologist