Five Easy Things to do to Lose Weight

I still have about 25-30lbs left to lose before I hit my goal weight but I've lost over that amount in the last year.  I bet you are wondering how I did that.  So here are 5 things that have helped me get this far.  I'm sure you've heard them before, but I am proof that they work!  If I can do it you can do it!

Drink water.  I hate drinking water.  I've tried drink mixes and things but that never did it.  What finally worked was putting it on my to do list dry erase board on the refrigerator.  Every morning I write out 5 things I need to do and then I write in "Drink Your Water."  Every time I drink a glass I erase one.  It not only makes me feel good that I'm doing something great for my body, it also feels good to mark something off of my list.  I also drink a small glass every time I go to the bathroom.  You've washed your hands and you are right there, just down a cup.

Stop finishing the kids leftovers and make your plate how you would make theirs.  If you have kids you know how hard it can be to "waste" that little bit (or a lot) of food that they might leave.  Quit doing it!  It is just causing body waste that you will have to work off later.  If its big enough, wrap it up and give it to them later.  Usually I give the little leftovers to my dog.  I know some people will say its not okay to feed dogs table food, but I've seen her eat poop so I think she'll be okay.  I also make my portions as though I was making the plate for my toddler.  It gives me wiggle room for later.  If I eat a cookie or have a snack its okay because I never have a huge meal.

Sweep and run the vacuum everyday.  If I don't sweep and mop my floors and vacuum every day I can feel such a difference in my activity level.  It's an added bonus of walking.  It may not feel like you are doing a whole lot, but you are taking extra steps and its something you can do when you have little ones.  You can add some squats or lunges in while you're doing it if you feel so inclined.  I tell myself that my chores are my workout.  Because I can turn any chore into a workout.  Oh and your house will thank you for it as well.

Eat Chocolate.  I don't believe in denying myself or extreme dieting.  I eat chocolate and dessert.  Do I sometimes have to do a little extra working out? Yes. It's worth it.  Food is good.  Once a month I would probably steal chocolate from the hands of my children and growl if they attempted to get it back.

Do crunches while you watch T.V.  Once the kids are all in bed I love to surf the DVR for my favorite shows that are not always kid appropriate.  Instead of just being a couch potato I lay in the floor and do crunches and leg lifts.  Of course it doesn't happen every night, but I'd say 4 out of 7.  Its like a bonus workout.

That's it.  If its gross outside and I can't go for a walk or run, or I just didn't get to it that day, I can always turn on some good music and have a dance party with the kids. I quit beating myself up about missing a workout, I quit defining what working out was (even 5 minutes is better than 0) and I've put my health and happiness first.   Less stress less weight?  I think so.