6 Strategies For Successful Weight Loss

1. Weigh yourself often

If you feel that going on the scale can discourage you from your weight loss journey, then you better find a better coach than yourself. Truth is, by keeping track of your progress and be brutally honest to yourself is the only way you can be successful on this journey.

However, you don't have to be too obsessed with the readings. Just be conscious about what has gone wrong or what you have done right throughout the week. Personally, I do it every week, if you wish to do more often, hey, that's your choice. But once a week is definitely minimal.

2. Turn off the TV

Have you ever sat in front of the TV with a huge tub of ice cream and a big pack of potato crisps when a blackout happened? No, I'm not talking about an electricity blackout here, I'm talking about your mind blacking out, and the next thing you find next to you is an empty ice cream tub with the crisp wrapper in it.

Rule of thumb: DO NOT snack while watching TV.

If you're trying to cut calories, you most definitely need to stay away from the TV. TV time can be converted into exercise time to burn calories instead of couching off hours watching silly programs. Oh and did you notice watching the Food Network can make yourself feel fat?

3. Beware taste bud betrayal

Have you ever noticed that eating food that are excessively salty and overly sweet doesn't curb your hunger as much? (Think Potato Chips, Soda and Chocolate Bars) If you eat them when you're hungry, your taste buds will even trick you into thinking that it's a lot tastier compared to when you're well-fed. I'm not suggesting bland food here, just watch the amount of sugar and salt that goes into your food, it can keep you satisfied, hydrated, and even happy on your next weigh in session!

4. Snack on Almonds

Almonds are nutrient dense food. It's packed with monounsaturated fat, protein, and fiber, which together combines to make you feel full.

Go for the raw, unsalted types for the least amount of unnecessary calories. 15 to 20 almonds should do as a healthy snack.

5. Use dairy in your diet

Despite all the bad press on dairy products, I still feel it is one that has helped me tremendously in my weight loss journey. I love low fat milk in my shakes and yogurt as snacks. Not only do they provide satiety, they are a good source of Calcium too.

Get the just-right amount by taking in two 8-ounce glasses of low-fat milk (699 mg), a cup of low-fat yogurt (338 mg), and an ounce and a half of cheese (287 mg).

6. Gamble on yourself

When was the last time you took a bet on yourself? Chances are, you have been betting on others all this while, your favorite football teams, favorite player, etc. Take a gamble on yourself, bet with your friends that you are going to melt away all that fat and challenge them to challenge yourself!