Some of us just don't want to work hard to lose weight. We don't have the time to spend 30 hours in the gym every week and the idea of not being able to eat crisps is less than appealing.
But it is possible to lose weight by making small but significant changes to your everyday routine. In fact, many of my clients have seen some dramatic results.
So here are my top 10 weight loss tips that don't require very much effort.
1. Stick a picture of your ideal self on the fridge.
Maybe there's an old pic of you when you were slimmer and looking good. If you take that and stick it on the fridge, you'll be reminded of your goal and how good you looked. This means that when you reach for those extra snacks, you'll think twice at the moment that you see that awesome picture.
2. Park in the furthest parking space that you can find.
Whether at work, supermarket, shopping centre, whatever, try to park in the furthest spot away. This means that you'll have to walk to get to where you are going. And, if you have to walk some extra steps with some shopping bags in your hands then that great too.
3. Take the stairs.
Again, most of us are parking close to work, getting in the lift, only to sit down all day at work, leave the office, get in the car and sit down for dinner. All that sitting is bad for your health. So as well as parking further away, take the stairs to your office. You'll be moving more than you did before and in a few weeks, you might find that you start running up them.
4. Sip water when you eat
This tip is awesome because sipping water at meal times will slow down your eating. Many people have got into the habit of eating quickly which means that it becomes really easy to over eat. But if you take breaks in your meals to sip on water, you will force yourself to eat slower, enabling your stomach to tell you when you're full.
5. If you're going to drink swap beer and wine for white spirits.
Okay, so alcohol is not the best thing when it comes to dieting. Alcohol is normally full of sugar, so its like eating a pudding that makes you also want to eat pizza at the end of the night.
But for many people alcohol is also fun and a social outlet. Therefore, if youre going to drink swap beer and wine for white spirits.
Its all about the calories. A standard 5% strength beer will have between 170 and 215 kcal per pint.
A standard measure of gin and slimline tonic only has 59 calories
So if you're going to drink, then gin it is....
6. Wear your tight clothes for a day.
You will have some clothes in the wardrobe that are a bit tight when you put them on. Get them out. A lot of us have no idea that we are putting on weight and can ignore it simply by buying a bigger size. But this tip is about forcing you to realise that it is happening and take action.
By wearing these clothes for a day, you will put your weight to the front of your mind, you'll be able to feel roughly how much has gone on and you'll be inspired to get back into that outfit.
7. After you have done number 6... take yourself shopping and buy an awesome outfit in a size smaller.
Treat yourself to that dress or shirt that you want to look good in. Buy it in the size you want to be and tell yourself that you're going to get there. Hang it in the place that you can see it. Imagine how awesome you're going to look and feel when you get there.
I use these techniques with my clients and (many more) they have seen some great results. Weight loss isn't just about calories. Its about changing your attitude and your relationship with yourself.
Below is a recording specifically designed to help you to get started. To become more aware of your body and to train your mind so that you are more in control of your cravings.
