Article

 Contributed by Renu Paryani

Small

Changes Make a

Big

Difference

When you were little and first learned to tie your shoes, someone taught you how to do it by breaking it down into smaller steps.

First tie a knot.

Then make the loops.

Now tie the bow.

Splitting any task up into stages helps it seem more manageable, and gets you to goal quicker. The same goes for weight loss.

As you accomplish each “mini-goal,” you’ll feel like a winner. That sense of accomplishment is great motivation for meeting more mini-goals, and more, until suddenly you’re at the weight you’ve always wanted.

“Making small changes one at a time is a great strategy,” agrees Howard Rankin, Ph. D., a South Carolina psychologist. “It’s not overwhelming, and it results in a slower, more steady weight loss.”

Remember: When it comes to weight loss, slow and steady wins the race. It’s the pace that will help you get to your goal, then stay there.

A bunch of small changes add up to big results. Maybe cutting the cream out of your coffee seems like a small feat to you. But once you’ve got that down you can add another small feat, then another.

Small Eating Changes

• Water, water, water, water. (Your skin will look great, too!)

• Order half portions at restaurants, or share a full portion with somebody. Or ask for a “to-go” container when you order your food, and pack up half the portion before you even start eating.

• Cut back on butter and mayo.

• Limit fried foods to once or twice per week.

• Use less or no sugar in your coffee or tea.

• Try at least one new food every week. If you’re bored with what you’re eating, you’re more likely to give up.

• Eat fresh, raw veggies with sandwiches instead of chips.

• Measure your portions until you’re sure you know what a cup, a half-cup, and a tablespoon look like. This will help you practice portion control, an essential key to weight-loss success.

• Try not to drink high-calorie beverages.

• Dip your fork in a side of salad dressing before each bite, instead of pouring it directly on your salad. You’ll find that you are satisfied with much less than you usually put on.

• Find healthy alternatives to all your favorite foods.

• If you don’t really love it, don’t eat it.

• Never eat out of a bag or box. Take out a measured/counted quantity of food and put it in a bowl. This way, you know exactly how much you’re having.

• Always eat something for breakfast.

• Read food labels. Check serving sizes.

• Add vegetables to everything.

• Plan meals in advance; use that information to make out a complete shopping list.

• Give food to guests to take home.

• Write down everything you eat and drink, without fail.

• Plan ahead for special occasions by accounting for higher-calorie foods before you eat them.