3 Keys to Weight Loss

3 Keys to Weight Loss

If you’ve been trying to lose weight but have experienced only limited success, perhaps it’s time to review the three main keys to successful dieting. Although there are also plenty of other factors that can play a role in weight loss, when planning your daily diet there are three main points to keep in mind. If you’re ready to jump-start your weight loss efforts by paying more attention to your daily diet, here are three tips to keep in mind.

Pay Attention to Serving Sizes

Even if you are careful to eat all the right foods, you could still have problems losing weight if you eat portions that are too large. In this age of “super sized” food portions, many people are simply not familiar with what healthy serving sizes look like anymore. Before planning your meals, take the time to do a bit of research in regards to serving sizes. For example, you might be surprised to find that a healthy serving of meat is no larger than an ordinary deck of cards. It can be helpful to use a food scales, at least in the beginning, so that it’s easier to learn what healthy food portion sizes look like. In addition to making sure you always eat the right amount of healthy foods, paying attention to portion size can also help you enjoy some of your favorite treats without undoing your weight loss efforts. For example, instead of eating an entire slice of pie or cake or perhaps a whole bowl of ice cream, try eating only a tiny portion instead. You’ll still be able to have a taste of your favorites, without the worry of derailing your weight loss efforts.

Watch Your Calories

Watching your calorie intake can be a very powerful tool when it comes to losing weight. Although it’s true that some foods are definitely healthier for you than others, it’s also true that eating too many calories during the day will cause you to lose weight. If you’re unsure of the calorie count of the foods you commonly eat, refer to the label or get a good calorie-counting guide.

Avoid “Bad Foods”

In addition to watching your overall calorie consumption, it can be helpful to make a conscious effort to avoid foods that are unhealthy for you. Foods that are too high in fat, calories, cholesterol or sodium are definitely not going to help you reach your weight loss goal. These foods are commonly referred to as “empty calorie” foods, because they provide very little nutrition in exchange for their high calorie content. By avoiding these foods, you’ll reach your weight loss goal faster.