Lose Weight Now - 5 Tips to Help You Lose Weight

In the race to find the "magic formula" to ditching the extra weight you are carrying, don't throw caution to the wind - you may land yourself in more trouble than before.

Losing weight rapidly is not good. You will lose fatty tissue as well as muscle tissue and water. Muscle helps to burn up the calories, so losing it will slow down your weight-loss and leave you feeling sapped of energy.

Rather than following a diet that you couldn't possibly enjoy or live with for more than a very short period of time, why not consider 5 little tips that will help you not only lose weight, but also keep it off.

1. Make small but determined changes

* Avoid eating between meals - it has been found to work well if you are eating a well balanced meal at regular meal times.

* Eat slowly - your brain can take up to 20 minutes to register the feeling of fullness. If you eat too quickly, your brain will not have time to register what is happening and you will eat more than you need.

* Eat smaller portions. As a rough guide for your main meal, divide your plate into three: half the plate should contain vegetables and/or salads; a quarter should include protein, such as meat, chicken, fish, etc.; the remaining quarter should be made up of carbohydrates.

* Don't skip meals - this slows your metabolism and you will therefore not burn up the calories and guess what - you will not lose weight!

2. Set yourself a realistic goal

Aim to lose 0.5 - 1 lb per week. For example: "By the end of 4 weeks I would like to have lost 3 lbs". Don't open yourself to frustration and disappointment.

Once you have achieved the first goal, re-set your goal for the next month or two. Reward yourself when your reach the various goal posts

3. Increase your level of activity

Increasing your level of activity does not mean you have to go to a gym or join a running club or join the local aerobics club. Nothing stopping you, if you would like to do that, of course!

For many folk, rigorous exercise is not possible due to a pre-existing health condition.

But, realistically, there are a number of bite-size tasks that you can do without straining yourself or your budget:

- Get off the bus one stop earlier
- Park your car further from the shopping centre
- Take part in activities you enjoy
- Start walking for 15 minutes twice a day or 30 minutes daily at least 5 times a week
- Take regular breaks from your computer - walk around the office
- Avoid sitting down for very long periods at one stretch
- Use the stairs in stead of the lift
- Use a pedometer - it counts the number of steps you take. Increase the number of steps you take - little by little each day

4. Write everything down

"Oh no, don't ask me to do that!"

Think about this - you are about to embark on one of the most important challenges in your life - improving your health and your looks! If you make a success of this - and you can! - you'll have a brilliant record of how you did it, what major obstacles you overcame and the exhilaration of reaching your ultimate or even interim goal weight. You'll be able to motivate yourself to maintain your weight and help others to reach their aspirations. Wow!

Keep a note of your progress - starting weight and measurements. When you've had a "good" day, jot down what made it a good day. If a bad day, jot down the reason. Remember, emotions can play havoc when trying to lose weight. Use your diary to strengthen and overcome the weak areas and reinforce the good practices.

5. Drinking water is good practice!

Fluids are important when trying to lose weight - but not all fluids.

Avoid sugary and alcoholic drinks, tea and coffee with milk and sugar. These contain a many calories. The best option is water - cold or boiled. It helps flush your system and aids weight loss.

Use above to tip the scale downwards!