Diet Tips

Weight loss is all about calories in vs. calories out. But sometimes it's not that easy. The tips in this section were submitted by readers, and include a few of our own favorite ways to stay on a healthy weight-loss plan. Check back often for new and fresh ideas to jumpstart your diet, or help you get through those little hurdles along the way. Have a tip to share? Send it to us!

Going out for pizza

If you go out for pizza, or order takeout, ask for half the normal amount of cheese. Avoid deep dish crusts, as they have much higher fat and calorie content than thin or regular crusts. If you must have pepperoni or other meats, ask that they only use a small amount, or less than half the normal portion. Finally, grab a stack of napkins and blot as much of the grease off the tops and bottoms of your pizza as possible.

Two for One

Share food, such as a main dish or dessert, with your dining partner.

Doggie Bag It

Restaurant portions are generally too large. You can discard part of it, but you can also ask for a container to take the leftovers home. If you do this, ask for the container at the beginning of the mean and go ahead and put half aside. Don’t wait, because you may not have any left over!

Just eat!

Eat 3 meals and 2 small snacks every day to help boost your metabolism and avoid the “starvation” mode which packs on pounds even with few calories. NEVER skip breakfast.

Read your way to fitness

Enjoy your quite time with a good book or magazine about fitness. The more educated you are about your health, the easier it will be to make smarter choices.

Cool sensations to prevent overeating

As soon as you have finished eating a reasonable portion, put a super-minty candy in your mouth to help resist further temptation.

It’s what you CAN have that counts

Focus on what you can have, instead of what you can’t have Cinnamon bagel with nonfat cream cheese instead of a doughnut, for example.

A real treat

Set small weight loss goals then pamper yourself with a manicure, haircut, etc, whenever you reach them.

Don’t be so strict

Follow your diet during the week, but allow a little flexibility on the weekends. This can help you stick to your diet without feeling deprived.

Take your time

Don’t crash diet. It’s important not to set yourself goals you can’t meet when you’re trying to slim. Plan to lose weight over the next year, not by February. It probably took you 12 months to put it on in the first place.