Losing weight can be one of the hardest things to do in your life. It can be also be frustrating because there are so many choices out there. When you feel overwhelmed, it’s best to stick to tried and true methods of losing weight. Here are some great ways to get the weight off.

When getting in shape, be sure to first invest in a good pair of shoes. When working out, a pair of shoes that fit well and support your ankles can make all the difference. If the shoes you are working out in don’t fit properly, you probably won’t get as much accomplished and might even suffer health problems later in life.

Chew your meals slowly to ensure you don’t overeat at mealtimes. This promotes weight loss by taking advantage of the natural timing of the digestive process. It takes several minutes for your brain to catch up to your stomach, making it easy to unintentionally eat past the point of fullness.

A great way to help you lose weight is to follow a proven diet that you can follow long term. There are so many fad diets out there and most of them will make you gain all the weight back or even more. It’s best to pick a diet you can follow over a long period.

An accountability partner can help in your weight loss journey. Having someone to share your mess-ups and successes with help keep you on track. No one wants to tell someone that they’ve done something wrong, so do the right thing, stay on track, and you can share your successes with your partner.

The average Americans diet is highly unhealthy. It consists sugary sodas, fast fried foods, and fattening desserts. If you’re looking to eat right it might be time to cut out those sodas and replace them with water. Transition from fried to baked, and from fattening desserts to low fat versions. If you don’t you may see an expanding waist line.

Before giving into your cravings, have a drink of water. The body can’t tell whether you are hungry or whether you are just in need of a drink; so before assuming that you are starving, try a glass of water and wait about 15 minutes. This can save your waistline and your pocketbook as well.

Buy a pedometer to track your steps. It can be a great investment if you are serious about losing weight. A pedometer tracks how many steps you have taken. Pedometers are not terribly expensive and can be found easily in stores or online. Make sure that you are taking at least 10,000 steps a day.

Check the serving size of your favorite cereal and then use a measuring cup to make sure you are getting the right portion. Most people pour their cereal and they think they can come close enough. Most of the time people eat more cereal than they think they do, which can sabotage weight loss.

When you are trying to lose weight you should always have some sugarless gum available. Chewing gum suppresses the appetite. It gives your mouth something to do and the flavor can distract you from cravings. Mint gums also make your mouth feel clean. Most people do not want to eat when their mouth feels clean.

If you are cooking for the family, cook the same meal for you as you do for me. A lot of dieters make the mistake of thinking that the family shouldn’t have to eat their “diet food”, but if the whole family can’t eat what you are eating then you’re fixing the wrong things. A diet has to be a life change and sustainable throughout your life, so get the family involved eating what you eat.

When eating at a restaurant, the portion size they give you is sure to pack on the pounds. In order to lose weight, ask the waiter to put half in a take home bag before you ever get your food. This will allow you to eat a normal size portion, and have another meal for the next day.

Don’t be an “extremist” with your weight loss journey. If your body is used to 3000 calories a day, and taking food in whenever you feel a pang of hunger, well it’s not going to like you limiting the calories to 1200 calories and “starving” through those pangs. Set a goal of 1500 calories and spread them out throughout the day. Eat an apple or even a small salad for a snack. Chew on some celery or carrot sticks You would be surprised at what you now like.

Weight loss can be challenging for everyone, but using tips like these can make it a little easier. These tips can be a good foundation for your weight loss, as well as help you see results that motivate you to keep going. Weight loss may not be easy but it is certainly worth it.