Your Summer Weight Loss Program

Now that you have completed a successful course on the hCG diet, how do you go back to normal dieting and still maintain your new weight?  While exercise is important, often the biggest weight loss changes come from your diet. Specifically, you want to make sure you burn more calories than you eat. One way to accomplish that is to follow a diet but keep in mind that many people have trouble following strict diets, so you may find greater success in making small changes over time.

Whether you decide to follow a specific diet or not, there are a few simple tips that will help you stay in control of your eating:

• Add healthier foods to your diet.  It’s always easier to add to your diet rather than take foods away.  Instead of cutting out entire food groups, try adding something healthy to each meal and eat it first.  Salads, fruit, whole grain bread or a glass of water are just a few ideas and you’ll find that grilling up on the healthier stuff leaves less room for the naughty stuff.
• Change one part of your diet.  Another way to approach this is to choose one unhealthy food you eat and get rid of it or finding a substitute.  Put all your energy towards changing just that one bad habit and leave the rest alone.  It’s easier to give up that Coke or candy bar when you know everything else stays the same.
• Eat out less.  Just cutting out one or two nights of eating out can make a major difference in your waistline.  When you cook your own meals, you know exactly what you’re eating, control how much you get and you can make sure the ingredients you use are good for you.
• Don’t skip meals.  Many people drastically cut calorie when they want fast weight loss and skipping meals is a popular choice.  The problem is, this can actually backfire.  Not only will you tend to eat more, you may actually slow down your metabolism which means your body is burning fewer calories.
• Watch your portion sizes.  This is always an obvious one when it comes to cutting calories and probably the most difficult to follow.  After all, what’s a portion size?  One way to manage portion sizes is to use smaller plates and bowls.  It’s an easy way to cut your portions without feeling like you’re missing out.
• Drink more water or tea.  Staying hydrated will ward off fatigue and help you deal with hunger and tea is often a great way to curb your appetite.  When you get the afternoon munchoes consider having a cup of calorie-free green tea instead of a candy bar.

One of the best parts of July? Welcoming back some of those warm-weather foods that help make summer so memorable. Who doesn't love to savor an ice cream cone after a day at the beach, dig into a burger at an outdoor cookout or munch on peanuts at the ballpark? The key, of course, is doing it in a way that allows you to still confidently pull on your swimsuit the next day. For tips on enjoying summertime snacks smartly, try a few of these game plans.