Shh…The Ultimate Secret to Weight Loss

Contrary to popular belief, diet supplements, the latest diet fad, and even exercise can’t help you lose as much weight as this secret. And I’m going to let you in on it….are you ready?

It’s portion control.

If you can control the size of your food and meal portions, you’re well on your way to looking great – and [bonus] feeling better.

It’s easy to over indulge, especially with those foods that may not be the healthiest for us. But don’t worry. You don’t have to give up your chocolate or lose the carbs.

Here are some tips that will help get your portions down to size [pardon the pun]:

  • Drink water instead. If you think you’re still hungry, try having a glass of water first. If, after 20 minutes your stomach’s still rumbling, go ahead and have a little more to eat.
  • Check the serving size. Don’t disregard nutrition facts. You might be surprised that you’re actually consuming 3 servings of your favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the bowl you just scooped.
  • Put it on a plate. Don’t eat your food right out of the carton or bag. Instead, put the right portion on a plate or in a bowl. That way, you have to think twice before you get up for seconds.
  • Slow down. Eating with chopsticks is how many Eastern populations end up slowing the constant hand-to-mouth routine, but try putting your fork/spoon down in between bites. You’ll be surprised how much sooner you realize when you’re full.
  • Forget the clean plate club. Seems silly, but many of us will keep eating after we’re full – whether out of boredom, fatigue, or just plain craving. How do you fix it? Listen to your stomach. Stop when it says it’s full. With the right portions, you should still be able to be a part of the club.

 

Obviously, you can’t eat the correct portion sizes of potato chips for every meal and expect to drop extra pounds. But with a healthy diet and just a little exercise, portion control could be your ticket to forgetting the latest diet plans forever.

Nicki Hicks is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast with a passion for all things healthy and organic. A web marketing specialist and search geek at flyte new media by day, Nicki works to increase her clients’ search engine visibility. By night, you might find Nicki coaching, practicing yoga, or pretending to be an artist. Nicki regularly contributes to the Guiding Stars blog.