8 Tips For Losing Weight On A Budget

Weight loss is popular topic. If you've ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, you've most likely searched through dozens of articles that all claim to have the best method for weight loss. It always comes down to the extremely time consuming or expensive diet and exercise changes. Workout for an hour or more a day, eat organic, unprocessed foods, drink protein shakes, eat more protein. I've read all of the articles too. It always sounds like a great plan, but if you're anything like me, all of those lifestyle changes are too expensive and time consuming to keep up with, and anytime you try to make drastic changes, you end up back to your old habits in no time. Well, I have some helpful advice for you; ignore all of the fitness-crazed advice. Instead, try some of these budget-friendly tips that won't take up all of your time.

1. Drink more water. — Yes, I know you've heard that one before, but it is really one of the best things you can do for yourself. Cut back on the caffeinated drinks (caffeinated drinks dehydrate you and usually contain a lot of sugar and empty calories) and replace them with water. If you don't like drinking a lot of plain water, try adding sliced lemons, limes, oranges, or strawberries to it. It's even more helpful to drink a glass of water before each meal.
2. Eat what you like. — You read that right. Extreme diet changes are harder to maintain long-term. Instead, eat the foods you like, but pay attention to your portion sizes. Instead of three slices of pizza, eat one and have a salad with it. Try to find healthier versions of some of your favorite foods. Even if you only substitute some of your meals for the healthier versions, it's a good start. The key is reducing your calorie and sugar intake without giving up your favorite foods.
3. Save very unhealthy foods for an occasional treat or special occasion. — Things like fast food, fried foods, and soda shouldn't be a staple in your diet. Try to limit them to once a week or less.
4. Exercise, but in a way you enjoy. — Exercise is important, but that doesn't mean you have to hit the gym five days a week. Do something you like and can be consistent with. Ride a bike, go for a walk, swim, hike, dance; it doesn't matter what you do. The important thing is that you get moving. Do it two days a week if that's all you can manage. Get up and move whenever you can, even if that just means standing up once an hour and walking around your house or apartment for a few minutes. Train yourself to not want to sit still.
5. Buy yourself new clothes. — Even if it's just a new shirt that you love, but buy it in a size or two too small. This will give you more incentive to lose that weight.
6. Be aware. — Train yourself to be aware of your habits. Be aware of what and how much you're eating. Notice how much you're moving or sitting still. The more aware you are of what you're doing, the easier it will be to make good choices. That's what losing weight comes down to, choices.
7. Track your progress. — Don't obsess over the numbers on the scale, but keep a record of your progress. Once a month, weigh yourself and take your measurements. It's a good idea to track both. Sometimes you'll lose inches while your weight stays the same because of muscle gain. Seeing your progress, no matter how small, will be more motivation for you to keep up your good habits.
8. Set goals. — It's easy to have a long-term goal like hitting that target weight you're after. A long-term goal is good but it's just as important to set short-term goals. It could be something as simple as going down one pants size, or losing five pounds. Or it could be something like exercising two days a week for the next month. Congratulate yourself when you meet that goal and then set a new one. It's too easy to get discouraged when you focus on your long-term goal; when we get discouraged we give up. Take pride in all of the milestones you meet.

Losing weight isn't about becoming a fitness-obsessed health food junkie. It's about making small changes that don't disrupt your lifestyle, that you know you can stick with. It's about feeling good and being happy with yourself. Start small and add in changes you can handle. I guarantee you'll be able to stick with it and lose the weight you want. It won't happen overnight, but every day you work towards it is a day that you win.

Using all of these methods, I was able to make permanent, healthy changes, and I lost 97 pounds in 16 months after having two children. If you really want to be healthy, I know you can do it, too.