Fast Weight Loss - How to Jump Start Your Weight Loss Plan With 8 Tips

Have you tried to lose weight, were successful for a while, and then got really frustrated when you stopped losing weight? Is it hard for you to stay motivated because you are not getting the results you expected?

I was in the same boat, I absolutely know how frustrating it is to watch what you are eating so carefully and not see the results of all your hard work. Weight, for some people, can be intricately tied to self image and self confidence so when the weight doesn't come off as expected, it can really make you feel bad about yourself. That was me - every time the numbers on the scale dropped, my confidence went through the roof and I continued to make good food choices. When the scale went up - not a good thing - it made me feel worse about the extra pounds on my body, which made me want to eat things that were not the best choices (i.e sugar, high fat carbohydrates), which then made me feel bloated, tired and fat, which then made me feel worse. A vicious circle that wasn't getting me to where I needed to be - healthy and 80 lbs lighter.

There are some tips that I started using to help me through the rough days and keep me on the path to weight loss and I want to share with you these same techniques that are working for me. Keep in mind, I am in the process of shedding a large amount of weight so if you have under 20 lbs to lose, these tips may not be for you but do try them if you have reached a weight loss plateau.

1. Drink Water

Yep, I know we have heard this a million times but it is the truth. Drinking water can help to suppress appetite. Sometimes, I think I am hungry - I make sure to have a glass of water first and my hunger often disappears. If I am still hungry, then I will have a snack.

2. Keep the Aspartame/Sucralose/Other Sweeteners to a Minimum and Don't Eat Sugar

3. Eat Low Carb with a little bit of Fat

Eating food low in carbohydrates got a bit of a bad rap a few years ago but it really works to help lose weight. At this point in my weight loss, I make sure to stay away from flour, sugar, pasta, bread and processed foods. Veggies, fruit, lean meat and fish are my go to choices. Frankly, how can we not be healthier by getting rid of processed foods from our diets? Most whole foods are naturally lower in carbohydrates (and low on the glycemic index) which are better for the natural processes of our bodies. I do keep to lower carb fruits also - like berries rather than ones like banana or pineapple. Fats are important to include also. I love butter so I do use when I make eggs for example. Olive oil I will use when I make salad dressing. Sauteing vegetables are done in equal amounts of butter and olive oil, or if they are roasted, I brush them with olive oil. I do not shy away from fat - it helps me to feel full - but I do make sure it is good for my body. Nuts are another source of oils that I do eat in small amounts. Avocados are good once in a while if you like them - I can't stand the texture or flavor so I don't eat them myself.

4. Make Sure you are Getting your Fiber

Eating lots of vegetables and fruit will help you get a healthy amount of fiber in your diet. the bonus is that it helps to make you feel full. I often add a serving of soluble fiber (like Metamucil or Benefibre) to water once a day to make sure I have lots of fiber in addition to veggies and fruits. Since I tend to stay away from grains (at this point of my weight loss, it just works better to not include them in my diet) I want to make sure my body has its necessary daily fiber. Helps to keep the plumbing running smoothly as well.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Strangely enough, I have found that when I am tired I make terrible food choices. Make sure you are getting your 7+ hours per night of sleep to ensure you are well rested and of clear mind. I personally need about 10 hours a night of sleep but every one is different.

6. Plan, Plan, Plan

Pre-planning my menu for at least a few days in advance does wonders for making sure that I eat well. I either buy pre-cut veggies or as soon as I get them home, I chop them up for easy snacks. I am a big fan of frozen vegetables that can just be zapped in the microwave to add to lunch or supper or even, for example, frozen spinach in a breakfast omelet. Make sure you have lean protein in the freezer - chicken, steak, fish - or the fridge for easy access. I like to poach chicken breasts in advance, chop them up and store them in the fridge to add to salads. I hard boil eggs by the dozen for an easy, quick snack.

7. Exercise

A fifteen minute walk a day is better than sitting on the sofa watching TV or surfing the internet. Make a commitment to do some sort of exercise every day - it will make you feel good AND feel good about yourself. As a person who suffers from depression, I find that time spent outside walking or hiking is a great way to increase my happy mood and energy level.

8. Protein Shakes

I always keep vanilla and chocolate protein powder around to make protein shakes. I make sure to buy protein powder that is low in carbs per serving (3 grams of carbohydrates or less) and has no sugar in it. I will buy a powder that is sweetened with sucralose (an artificial sweetener) but since I don't use it in huge amounts I feel that is OK for me. 1 cup of water, a scoop or two of protein powder, some espresso powder or some sort of flavoring (ie sugar free orange, rum, banana, raspberry etc) 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and 6-8 ice cubes and whirred up in the blender makes a great shake. I will sometimes use a protein shake to replace a meal if I am in a rush or if I am not too hungry. You can create lots of different flavours with some creativity.

I make sure that I eat well and don't worry about calories too much. I know that as long as I am eating lots of veggies and lean protein, I am on the right track. If I find that my weight loss stalls, following the tips above works well to get the body to release weight. Taking your body measurements is important too - sometimes when I am not losing weight, I am still losing inches and that can make a bad scale day all better!

Weight loss following the 8 tips has worked really well for me - I have lost 16 lbs in two weeks! and then it usually tapers off to 3-4 lbs loss per week. Once I am in the groove, I can do this for weeks and months at a time. My issue is getting back on track quickly when I fall off the wagon, so if you follow these tips and stray from them, its not the end of the world. Just get back on track right away. Good luck with your weight loss success!