How to lose weight without trying, 10 quick tips

culled from:tescohealthandwellbeing.com

Every day you’re faced with choices - choices that make the difference between a size 8 and 18. We don’t get fat overnight and one big blow-out won’t undo a week’s worth of healthy eating. It’s the day-to-day decisions, those consistent choices we make that make us slim, or keep us overweight.
I’m sure you’ve seen those "naturally" thin people who seem to eat whatever they like and never gain weight. I bet you that A: they only overeat occasionally B: they stay active and C: their usual diet is healthy and moderate.
It’s the everyday stuff that’s important. It’s easy to say but more difficult to put into practice. There's a lot of temptation out there - fat tastes good, sugar’s sweet - but that swimsuit reminds you of your good intentions. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Think what biscuits really are – refined carbohydrate and saturated fat. A few biccies once in a while won’t hurt you, but people who make a regular diet of them have difficulty staying slim.
2. Buying that exercise equipment was a great idea, but only if you use it. Most people end up hanging their clothes on the treadmill, or it gathers dust in the box room. If you buy home-exercise equipment, set it up in an obvious place where you actually will use it. Make sure it’s something you like to do. Try it out in a gym first and don’t buy the cheapest model, because it probably won’t function well.
3. Eat to live…don’t live to eat. The "secret" of slim people is that they eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. Don’t eat because the clock tells you to. Smaller, more frequent meals are healthier than a large meal. If you’re not hungry at your assigned lunchtime, then have a small snack and another snack a few hours later.
4. Many of us eat more than double the amount of protein necessary for good health. Active people need about .8 - 1.0 grams per kilogram of body weight daily (1 kilo = 2.2 pounds). A "normal" serving of meat, chicken or fish is about three to four ounces, which is about the diameter of a normal-sized hand (palm).
5. Studies show that restaurant meals are enormous and people who eat out more often are more likely to be overweight. It stands to reason that bringing your own lunch helps you control calories, sodium and fat - notoriously high in restaurant foods. Eat out less often and stay slimmer.
6. The secret of staying slim is showing up. Joining a gym is easy but using it takes commitment. Join the gym closest to your house or workplace…don’t join one that takes too much effort to get to - you won’t go. Gyms are great because you can establish a routine and meet new people. But, if it’s too inconvenient to get there, forget about it.
7. Travel light; in food choices, that is. Food courts in airports are identical to food courts in shopping centres - not a lot to choose from - mainly deep-fried, from burgers to Chinese to Italian. Bring yoghurt, cereal, fruit, nuts, even sandwiches.
8. If you see an overweight dog, look at its owner. Dogs need to stay slim to avoid diseases like diabetes and heart disease, just like people. Your dog can be your best motivation to stay active. Walk your dog - it’s good for you too.
9. If you’re thirsty, you’re not drinking enough water. Drink at least eight (200ml) glasses daily and avoid fizzy drinks at all costs. One can has about 9 teaspoons of sugar and around 150 calories. Juice is not that much better, a few vitamins and minerals, sure, but its not as good as water to satisfy your thirst (and costs you the same calories as fizzy drinks).
10. Don’t be a waste disposal. I know women who finish everything on their kid’s plate and wonder why they can’t lose weight. It’s OK if your kids don’t finish everything on their plate. Let them eat until they’re full – it’s a smart thing to do because it teaches them not to overeat. Just don’t finish it - otherwise you’ll end up wearing it.

And one more point: If you need to buy stock in the athletic shoe company, then you’re on the right track to permanent slimness. Health experts report that the best indicator of success in keeping the weight off is exercise. Stay active… stay slim.
How you live dictates how you look. Make smart choices consistently, and you’ll stay slim.