So you want to lose a bit of weight and you’re not sure where to start? Reading this and starting to implement some of the basic changes discussed might be just what you need. It’s very easy when you’re all psyched up to go a bit crazy to change too many things at once. Cut all the crap from your diet, exercise every day for an hour, you know the drill.

Changing too many things all at the same time can make it hard to stick to and you lose the plot pretty fast, sometimes in just a few days! If that’s happened to you before, this time try just making a few changes at first. Manageable changes that you know you can maintain. Once you have mastered them, build on them. Sure, the results might be a bit slower but you’ll still be going with it in a month’s time.

1. Drink more water and less soft drink: Yeah, that water is a bit boring and the softdrink does seem a whole lot more appealing but we want to be working toward getting around 2 litres of water in over the course of a day. Your body needs to be well hydrated to work efficiently and this includes metabolising fat. If you’re not used to drinking much water – start small and aim for 1 glass each time you eat – it will add up quite quickly. Try carrying a bottle of water around with you to sip on as well. Every bit helps.
2. Use a smaller plate at dinner: Might seem a bit silly but humour us. Over the years our portion sizes have crept up and up and up. We eat off large dinner plates and we fill them up. As kids we’re frequently told to eat everything on our plates. Our minds are used to seeing a full plate so we’re proposing a little trick to help you reduce your portion sizes a bit without feeling deprived. You’ll be surprised how well it can work! If you put a smaller portion on your normal dinner plate you’ll feel like you’re missing out. Now, if you put that smaller portion on a smaller plate so it’s full. You’ll feel like you’re getting to eat a whole lot more simply because the plate looks full.
3. Eating breakfast: Yup, pain in the butt I know. You have to get out of bed earlier but it’ll be well worth it – promise. When you eat breakfast (as soon as you can after waking), it kick starts your metabolism for the day – meaning you will burn more calories all day long than if you don’t eat breakfast. People often say they don’t like to eat breakfast because it makes them feel hungry during the day. Feeling hungry is actually a good thing – it means your body is working as it should and burning what’s going in. Set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier and see how you go.
4. Swap full size chocolate bars for mini versions: We all get chocolate cravings. Sometimes they’re hard to ignore. By all means, try to distract yourself and do something else but if you really feel like a chocolate bar – get one. Instead of getting the big bar, get one of the Fun Size ones, a Freddo frog or a Milky Way. Just that and leave the shop. You’ll still get the chocolate hit but only half (or less!) the calories.
5. Swap fruit juice for real pieces of fruit: While there is a lot of good stuff in fruit juice, there also tends to be a lot of sugar. Especially in it’s processed form. The vitamins and minerals in fruit are essential for good health and balanced nutrition so even ditch half the juice and swap it for a real piece of fruit. The real deal also contains more fibre (depending on the fruit) which is great for your digestive health as well.
6. Learn some of the healthier options at your favourite fast food restaurants: Most fast food restaurants will either provide a nutritional guide in store or you can find it on their websites. Take a bit of time when you’re online to visit the sites of the places you often go with your friends when you’re out and about – you know, Maccas, KFC etc. They all claim to have ‘healthy’ options available but it’s best to have a look at the nutritional information rather than just taking their word for it. Even print them out so you can have a good look through.

If you have any questions about any of these little changes or what to let us how you got on with making them – jump on over to the Slim Force for Teens Facebook Page. Would love to hear how you go. Once you get these ones down, you can work on incorporating more.

Remember, while we all want quick results, we also want to be working on making sustainable changes that you will be able to stick to long term – to lead a happy and healthy life. Losing weight at a steady rate over time will help ensure you keep it off long term. It might take a little while to get there but the results will be AWESOME!