“Eating crappy food isn’t a reward — it’s a punishment.” – Drew Carey

You don’t need to be a doctor, fitness guru or weight loss expert to realize when it’s time to shed a few pounds. It just takes the awareness that your personal health isn’t where you want it to be. Being committed to losing weight also takes the willingness to fight the battle of the bulge while discovering what your body needs and what it doesn’t need to lose weight.

Along the way, and with the help from your doctor, you learn the foods to avoid, the exercise to embrace and the inspiration it takes to stay committed to a healthy diet. But no matter what your weight loss goals happen to be, you have to be determined – and you have to be inspired – to achieve it.

Let this guide encourage you to feel vibrant, happy and inspired to begin losing weight today so you can enjoy life again!

Be realistic. You’re going to have days when you eat too many sweets or carbs – just try to limit those days to one per week. It’s okay to have a splurge day because denying yourself of the foods you enjoy will lead to resentment, weariness and sometimes defeat.

Eat all of the fruits and vegetables you want. Have fresh bananas or strawberries for breakfast. Enjoy munching on a few carrots for your morning snack. Dive into a healthy salad for lunch and then finish the day strong by having two servings of vegetables with dinner and maybe later, enjoy a peach or apricot as a late-night snack.

Always eat breakfast. Foods like eggs, meat, fruit or oatmeal are good, but watch out for pancakes and biscuits. The goal is to eat a substantial breakfast to give your body a healthy start to the day.

Try to cut out your late-night eating. The best strategy for breaking the midnight-munching habit is to change your routine. Instead of reaching for the pint of ice cream, reach for a book or take a bath. If you feel the urge to eat, fill up on a cup of tea, a couple of celery stalks or maybe some cottage cheese.

Think of diet as a noun; not a verb. In other words, stay focused on the types of foods you’re eating rather than on the quantity of foods you’re eating. It’s about being mindful and balanced with your approach to food. For example, watch out for sugar, desserts, bread, pasta and chips as well as sauces like Alfredo. Tune into what your body really needs like protein and calcium. When you think of diet as a noun, you will become more inspired to eat better and feel less bitterness about what you’re not eating.

Be inspired to see results as soon as today by following these three important, but easy weight-loss tips:
1. Drink plenty of water each day.
2. Start counting calories so you really know how much is going in. Consult with your health care provider to determine the right number of daily calories for you.
3. Avoid huge meals. Smaller, more frequent meals are better.

About Alex Blackwell
Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer.