SMARTER WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHTS

Losing weight doesn't have to be so hard. Here are 50 easy ways to reach your goal.

Smarter ways to lose

Losing weight, unfortunately, isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. What helps one person shed pounds may backfire on another. Because we're all so different, from our food preferences to our body chemistry, the only successful way to reach and maintain a healthy weight is to find what works for you. We've read the studies, the books, the reports, and the theories. We've been talking to experts and trying to keep ourselves trim for years. There probably are a million ways to gain 10 pounds, but here are 50 ways to lose them—whether you want to know how to lose the last 10 pounds or first.

1. Water yourself

Research shows that dieters who guzzle plenty of H2O lose more weight than those who don't

                                     

2. Halve at it

Divide your normal portion by two and save the rest for later. You're likely to feel full on less food than you think.

3. Go meatless

In general, vegetarians have lower body weights than their meat-eating peers. Follow their lead—at least until you drop a few pounds.

4. Go vegan

Vegetarianism not helping you lose? Take it to the next level by swearing off eggs and dairy, too. Cheese can be a diet killer.

5. Get fresh

Eliminate packaged foods and eat only fresh ingredients you've prepared. No bags, boxes, cans, or cartons allowed.

                                 

6. Diet 2 days a week

If you can't stick to a program all the time, try slashing your calories to 650 a day just two days a week and eating normally the other days. One study suggests this offers protection from breast cancer as well as assistance with weight loss.

7. Not so sweet

Everyone knows sugar isn't healthy, but when you start reading labels, you find it in unexpected places, like pasta sauce and frozen entrées. Cutting the sugar out of your diet will mean healthier meals overall.

8. Cut the flour

The short-term elimination of floury foods like white bread and pastries can efficiently kick-start your weight loss plan.

                                  

9. Be a virgin

Alcoholic beverages are some of the emptiest calories out there. Replace them with water, and the weight comes off.

                              

10. Walk 2 minutes out of every 30

Short walking breaks add up to weight loss. Plain and simple.

11. Fidget more

Studies show that fidgety types burn significantly more calories than their stationary peers. So go ahead: Tap that foot, drum those fingers, and totally shake those knee.

14. Eat at home

Meals eaten away from home have 134 more calories, on average. 

15. Find a buddy

You know you're more likely to show up at the gym if someone is waiting there for you.

16. Lose to win

Bring a taste of The Biggest Loser to your own gym, work, family, or circle of friends for extra motivation.

17. Veg out

Fill two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, which are less calorie dense and more nutritious than any other type of food.

                                

18. Go nuts

A recent study found that dieters who snacked on shelled pistachios shed more pounds than those who ate other snacks, even though they contained the same amount of calories.

19. Try a grapefruit diet

Eating one grapefruit daily helped 58% of subjects to lose weight, according to research.

20. Remind yourself to eat better

One study found that people chose better-for-them foods when they were prompted to "consider the healthiness" before digging in.