I'm trying to get back on the wagon myself. Need to lose some pounds I gained over the holidays. I've managed to lose weight recently, so it's all a matter of getting the will power up again. Of course, every one is different and what has worked for me won't necessarily work for you, but I offer these suggestions that I've used with great results:
While the gym is great, you'll lose more weight through healthy eating than working out.
Drink more water. I strive for at least 8 glasses or more per day.
Eat more often. Sounds counter-intuitive, but if you eat 5 to 6 meals per day with the extra meals being a piece of fruit or some healthy snack, you'll speed up your metabolism.
Eat more veggies. Steamed is always better than fried or some such.
SMALLER PORTIONS! As a red-blooded American, we have the tendency to eat until we're stuffed. WRONG thing to do. Cut back on your portion sizes. Just this simple act will make a big difference, and you'll probably be surprised (as I was) at how little your body needs to eat in order to feel satiated.
Common sense, the double cheese burger, large fries, and jumbo coke are not good for you. Limit your intake of crappy food. Hey, we all splurge every once in a while, but try to minimize them.
If you're gonna eat those calories, make it worth it. Forget the piece of pie at Denny's. It's probably not all that good and you probably won't be satisfied with it anyway. Save those empty calories for a really good desert at a good restaurant.
Cut the sweets. No more candy bars, junk snacks, chocolates, shakes, etc. Only once in a while, not every day. If you're gonna snack, snack on healthier foods, fruit, veggies, juice, etc.
Pasta is loaded with carbs. Bread too. Switch white bread with whole wheat bread. Switch white rice with brown rice.
"Eat to live, NOT live to eat."
Keep it up. This will take a while. Don't expect results overnight.
Will power. You have to want it. Badly. If not you're just fooling yourself.
I spent hours at the gym and got in fairly good shape. I went from about 285 down to 252. But I never really altered my eating habits. Well, along comes a back injury limiting my exercise from a fair amount to almost nothing. Now, my exercise consists of daily walks (only about 1.3 miles) and changing my eating habits. In the past 4-5 months I went from about 250 down to 224 (+7 from the holidays :blush: ). I lost more weight from changing my eating habits then I ever did going to the gym and working out.
Good luck, and keep it up. If you want it bad enough, you'll do it.
