Losing weight is a process that takes a combination of time, effort, and information. You cannot lose weight just by hoping for it. Information abounds on different key ways that you can use to start to shed the pounds. The information you will find in this article is a great start on your way to weight loss success.

You may be tempted, when trying to lose weight, to cut fat out entirely. But it’s important to remember that fat has a high satiety value in foods, so a little will go a long way. Case in point: baked potato chips may have no fat, but because of that, they don’t trigger your satiety level as quickly as regular or even the “fat-free” Olestra chips do. So, you’re tempted to eat the whole bag. Better, for example, to eat a small amount of high-quality, high-fat food – let’s say, a small high-end dark chocolate bar – then to gorge on large quantities of low- or non-fat foods. You’ll be more satisfied without having to say “No” to treats.

Before sitting down to a meal, have a glass or two of water. This creates a feeling of being a little full, and you won’t eat as much. Water is a good way to make sure you don’t gorge yourself, and it’s also a good way to clean your system.

Take your time when you sit down to eat. Not only will you eat less because you are eating deliberately, but you will also take in less air, resulting in less gas, overall. Eating slowly can also make eating a more enjoyable experience, since you have more time to taste your meal.

When making breakfast in the morning, try to choose cereal for the majority of your meals. Selecting a cereal that is high in whole grains and fiber will help you control blood sugar, which will ultimately lead to weight loss. Stay away from cereals that are loading with artificial flavors and colors.

Try eating foods that contain healthy fats. Foods like nuts, olives, and several different types of fatty fish contain healthy fats that will make you fill full. They will also help you fend off hunger and cravings. As is the case with any healthy food, just make sure you practice moderation.

Skip the elevator and tackle those stairs! It might just be one flight or a more challenging multi-floor trip but it is a great workout for muscles and metabolism. Although this may seem minor, climbing stairs provides you with a cardio workout. Not only is this good for your health, you will lose weight. If you can, run up the stairs as you become more comfortable.

Since losing weight is ultimately about taking in fewer calories than you expend, you must know exactly what you are eating. Begin now to keep a detailed food diary or journal of every single thing you eat or drink, including water, so that you can map your food intake to the way your weight is changing and can adjust your diet accordingly.

Feel free to make mealtime as fun as possible. Incorporate tons of colors so it is a joy for them to eat. You can also form foods into different shapes. Make dinosaurs for your boys one night and flowers for your girls the following night. They will have so much fun looking at the food that they won’t think twice about what is in it.

Be aware of what you drink. Avoid any drinks that contain alcohol or sugar, replacing them with water, low-fat milk or tea. Sugary drinks are packed full of empty calories that add no nutritional value to your diet. Drinking one sugary drink a day can cause you to put on unnecessary weight and increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.

When trying to lose weight, follow a balanced diet. While you may not lose the weight as quickly, you will be more likely to stick with the diet long term, and you are ensuring that you lose weight in a healthy manner. It’s all about common sense: reduce your total calorie intake, increase exercise, and make sure that you follow a sensible diet consisting of carbs, protein and healthy fat sources.

Try to limit the amount of alcohol you are consuming each week. Women should drink only 1 drink a day, and men should limit it to two. Drinking alcohol will give you a lot of unneeded calories, and will also increase your appetite so you will eat more while drinking.

If you are trying to take off some weight, make sure you always wait 10 minutes whenever you have a craving to eat something that you should not have. Get busy doing something else to distract yourself, and you will often find that the momentary craving disappears. It helps to drink a glass of water, too, since you may actually be thirsty and not really hungry at all.

If you’re trying to lose weight, buy yourself a pair of comfortable athletic shoes. The easier it is for you to walk or run, the more likely you will be to do it. Wear them all the time, even when you go to the mall, and you’ll find yourself lasting longer and getting exercise at times you didn’t even expect to!

There is no one right way to lose weight. Diet, exercise, and your own motivation levels will all play a key role on your way to achieving the body you want. The steps we’ve talked about are just a starting point. Take what you’ve learned here and find what works for your life and your body.