GirlsGuideTo | 15 Diet Tweaks for Weight Loss

Losing weight is hard. We are a culture that likes to eat, and let’s face it, we like to eat the stuff that’s not good for us. One of the best ways to get started making healthier choices is by changing one small thing at a time. Small tweaks that over time add up to something big. But what’s the best thing to change? Shape gathered up expert opinions from trainers that reveal exactly what they tweak to get lasting results. Here are their tricks!

Jackie Warner: Drink 3 Liters of Water with Lemon
You already know drinking water is good for your overall health, but fitness expert, celebrity trainer, and Jackie Warner has a tip to take it up a notch in the weight-loss department. She recommends drinking 3 liters of water with lemon each and every day.

"Adding the lemon helps to detoxify the liver and metabolizes fat, so this can speed up metabolism by about 33 percent," Warner says. "That burns about 100 extra calories per day!"

Kathy Smith: Listen to Your Hunger
Even if you can't fully change your diet for the better, one simple way to lose weight is to eat just a little less. And the easiest way to do that is by listening to your hunger. Kathy Smith says to eat slowly, savor every bite, and pay attention to when you begin to feel full—otherwise you can consume more calories than your body needs at each meal.

"When you get the signal that you’ve had enough, sprinkle salt on the rest of your plate to avoid nibbling on the leftovers, " Smith says. "Those little bits of calories can add up quickly over the week."

Jennifer Cohen: Don't Buy Diet Food
Jennifer Cohen, Weight Watchers’ spokeswoman and author of No Gym Required,warns to not just choose foods because they're marketed as "good for weight loss." Instead, choose what foods you're going to eat based on their nutritional value and health benefits. By eating healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, you're sure to lose weight pretty effortlessly.

"Before you plan a shopping trip or order out, look up the nutritional value of the foods you're considering and ask yourself if your list matches up with your needs and goals," Cohen says.

Mandy Ingber: Eat a Salad Every Day
Can losing weight be as simple as eating a salad for lunch every day? Mandy Ingber, celebrity yoga instructor, thinks so.

"Replace your lunchtime meal with a large salad loaded with healthy greens," Ingber says. "If you are a meat-eater, add some lean protein. Load your salad with avocado, nuts, and all sorts of veggies that add color to your meal."

Nicole Nichols: Eat More Regularly
In order to lose weight, you should never let yourself get too hungry, says Nicole Nichols, fitness expert and editor for SparkPeople.com. In fact, waiting too long between meals can encourage overeating later.

"So plan for one to two snacks a day as needed, and you’ll likely eat less and avoid binges later," Nichols says.

Tara Stiles: Start Juicing
And by juicing, we mean drinking fresh vegetable juice! Tara Stiles, author of the best-selling book Slim Calm Sexy Yoga, says that juicing is the best thing she ever did for her health.

"Cucumber, kale, carrot, ginger...it is so good for you, gives you so much energy, and actually tastes good!" Stiles says. "The coolest side effect is that I stopped craving sugar and salts! Just like that, without trying. Amazing!"

Kristin Mcgee: Keep Almonds on Hand
We all know what it's like to be out on-the-go, totally hungry with no healthy options in sight. That's why Kristin McGee, a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor, recommends packing an Altoids-sized container of raw almonds with you at all times. A small portion of any raw nut helps to keep your blood sugar stable.

"The perfect portion size of about 22 almonds, 15 cashews, or eight walnut halves will fit in one, and studies have proven that people who eat nuts weigh less and eat less overall," McGee says. "The belly-slimming monounsaturated fats are excellent, and each type of nut has great benefits—walnuts have omega-3s and almonds are high in vitamin E. Plus, a little Altoids tin can fit in a purse pocket anywhere, so there's no excuse!"

Jari Love: Add Psyllium and Flaxseeds to Your Diet
Very rarely do you get advice to add to your diet, but that's exactly what Jari Love's easy diet secret is. She swears by psyllium seed husks, which are high in belly-filling fiber, and flaxseeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, for helping her stay at a healthy weight.

"Take your psyllium husks and flaxseeds, put them both into a Ziploc bag, and shake it up," Love says. "Keep this mixture in the fridge and add a tablespoon to each protein shake you drink throughout the day. This will help to keep you regular and give you those extra nutrients you need."

Andrea Metcalf: Eat Protein with Every Meal
Whether it's meat or a vegetarian protein like tofu or beans, Andrea Metcalf, a healthy lifestyle expert and author of Naked Fitness: The Proven 28 Day Weight Loss Program for a Slimmer, Fitter, Pain-Free Body, says that protein at every meal is a must for keeping away those hunger pangs. "Eat protein with each meal to stave off cravings," she says.

Fit Chef Katy Clark: Don't Drink Alcohol Standing Up
Here's a simple rule to follow whenever you're at a party or a happy hour: don't stand and sip! That's the advice of Fit Chef Katy Clark. Calories really add up when you're drinking alcohol, so be extra mindful of each drink, she says.

"I found that I grab a drink because that is the expected party behavior, and I use my drink as a buffer and will just take sips to look busy, even though I'm not really enjoying it," she says. "Instead, I drink cocktails and wine during great sit-down, relaxed moments. And at the party, I stand with bubbly water or nothing in my hand so that I can give out better hugs!"

Linda Larue: Watch Carb Serving Sizes
While carbohydrates are great for energy, it's easy to eat way too many if you're paying attention. Fitness expert and creator of the total-body core training system The Core Transformer Linda LaRue recommends to keep portions in check—especially when you're eating out.

"Remember that a recommended carbohydrate serving—such as pasta, pizza, bread, or rice—is 1/3 to 1/2 cup. That's the size of a golf ball or mouse," she says. "Most restaurants give you three cups of pasta. That's the equivalent of six carb servings!"

John Dull And Michele Collier: Choose Greek Yogurt
Everyone thinks of yogurt as a pretty healthy snack choice, but all yogurts are not created equal, John Dull and Michele Collier. In fact, many yogurts—including low-fat varieties—are loaded with sugar.

"A better choice is Greek-style yogurt," they say. "They have more protein per serving and very little sugar. Try adding fresh fruit for an added treat!"

Dr. Lynn: Swap Spicy Mustard for Mayo
Swapping mustard for mayo is a no-brainer. But using spicy mustard is even better, says Dr. Lynn Anderson. This is because hot spicy mustard amps up the metabolism by creating a heat effect in the body, she says.

"To increase metabolism and curb appetite, drink a glass of water mixed with a tablespoon of hot spicy mustard just before dinner. Not only will you increase your metabolism, but mustard seeds are a good source of antioxidants and omega-3s!"

Fred Devito: Ditch Sugary Drinks and Sodas
Fred DeVito, co-creator of the "Exhale: Core Fusion" DVD series recommends ditching sugary drinks of all kinds—including regular sodas, diet sodas, and high-calorie coffee drinks.

"Eliminate sugary drinks and diet soda, which can trigger your craving for sweets," he says. "These beverages are loaded with unwanted calories."

Lisa Hubbard: Try New Recipes
Who said healthy eating has to be boring or bland? Lisa Hubbard, star of the “Element: Total Body Pilates with Mini Ball” kit, recommends firing up your creative juices in the kitchen by investing in a new cookbook and trying new healthy recipes!

"Pick-up a new cookbook and experiment," Hubbard recommends. "Gear towards weight-loss types of recipes."

{Source: Shape}

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