Everyone wants to look smart and slender. But most of us have extra pounds which we want to get rid of. All those nights of binge eating and food therapy will catch up with you eventually.

I’m always looking for tips to get rid of that extra weight. We need to remember that there is no short cut to losing weight, even though it takes less time to gain it and more time to shed off those pounds. We have to work and be patient about the results. We can be assured of results, but to expect these results to be achieved overnight is wishful thinking.

Here are a few tips for effective weight loss that have been tried and tested.

Trust me when I say that I was in the same boat as you are right now. I used to read such articles and not believe a word written in them because I felt like it was all a gimmick and that, if it was so easy, everyone would be doing it. But then this one time I decided to give it a shot.

To my surprise, I started noticing tangible results and saw my body change, just by following a few simple tips. You will have to be realistic and include these tips in your everyday routine.  The best part is you won’t have to go through the silly regime of starving yourself.

So here are my tried and tested tips:

1. Drink water

Drink a lot of water – literally, a lot of it. 

Water hydrates your body, helps in digestion and reduces cellulite. It also helps you get clearer skin. Water is a natural and world-known regime for weight loss as it improves your metabolism rate. Start with drinking at least eight glasses of water a day and then slowly start increasing the amount. Carbonated drinks, beverages and preserved fruit juices that come in cartons are a big NO! If you’re accustomed to drinking beverages with your food, substitute it with fresh juices.

2. Grape fruit

Grapefruit is high in enzymes that burn fat.

It has high water content and less sodium. A combination of these three characteristics makes grapefruit the perfect intake for increasing your body’s metabolism. Make a habit of consuming at least one grapefruit a day. Try eating a grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice every morning with your breakfast and you will notice how quickly you shed those extra pounds.

As it might not be everyone’s cup of tea because of its bitter taste, add some salt and black pepper to the juice. Remember, grapefruit or grapefruit juice should not be consumed at night as our digestive system slows down to rest and rejuvenate. The citrus from a grapefruit might end up giving you heartburn and make you restless while trying to sleep.

3. Portion control

Limit your portions. Divide your daily meals into five or six small portions.

Small portion intake accelerates digestion. If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 15% to 20%, you will end up losing weight without the strenuous workouts. Most of the portions served both in restaurants and at home, are bigger than you actually require.

Pull out the measuring cups to get a handle on your usual portion sizes and work on paring them down.  Trick your mind and get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates, and cups. You’re psychologically eating your usual portions as your mind thinks you’ve filled up your plate.

This tip actually works wonders and makes a huge difference when it comes to seeing results, without have to starve yourself or eating that diet food which just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It’s all about mind over matter. A cup of green tea after your meal also does wonders for your regime.

 

4. Eat mindfully

While eating, avoid indulging in any other activity.

Keep your mind present and concentrate on eating. Chew and eat slowly. This helps your mental appetite to be fulfilled and satisfies your hunger as well. Eating while reading a book or watching television makes you, unconsciously, consume more. Follow the rule of ‘table, chair and plate’. Just put your food in a plate, sit and eat it peacefully. This way you’re monitoring what you’re eating and remember eating the amount consumed.

 

5. Give yourself a ‘cheat day’

Leave one day as a cheat day.

This is the day where you can sneak in a treat like frozen yogurt, so you work hard all week and look forward to that one cheat day.

6. Make goals for yourself

Promise yourself that you will be more active.

Try to take out some time out of your busy routine for work out, even if its just a 15 minute walk down your street. Take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators. Every little bit counts!

 

7. Eat more vegetables and fruits

Try eating raw vegetables and fruits, as they are low in calories.

They are full of vital vitamins and minerals that help in reducing weight. They also help in food digestion, boost your energy and control blood pressure.

 

8. Switch to lighter alternatives

Try choosing low fats and low-carb food.

Instead of juices try eating fruits to get enough fiber. Use salsa and hummus in sandwiches rather than cheese spreads or mayonnaise. Eat sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. Use skimmed milk in your coffee instead of cream. Use lemon dressing on salads rather than heavy oils.

 

9. Green tea

Green tea increases you metabolism and helps you burn more calories.

Green tea also controls cholesterol level; though it will take few weeks for its effects to materialise. I started drinking two cups of green tea per day without any dieting or working out and after a few days, I was amazed when I checked my weight – I had lost almost three kilograms! You can add sugar, honey or lemon in it, as per to your taste.

 

10. Be honest with yourself

Make a food journal and list down everything you eat.

It’ll help you know your consumption of calories which will enable you to cut down on those unnecessary calories you didn’t notice earlier. Note down everything that you put in your mouth, even if it’s a few M&Ms or a handful of nuts. After a while, set a certain calories limit and try to stick to that approximate intake.

If you have decided to start this regime, remember that it all depends on your will to control yourself. If you see yourself moving away from the right path, don’t give up. Instead, get back up and continue with the routine. It is guaranteed to help!