There are hundreds of diets out there, exercise plans and opinions on how to lose weight. While it is clear that there is no shortage of information, many times finding something that works can be extremely hard. The following 5 tips will help you to start on your weight loss journey. They will also help you lose weight effectively and increase your chances of sticking with it and keeping it off.

Tip 1: Eat
Many diets will have you restricting your calories or food intake so drastically that you are on the brink of starving yourself. In reality you will have more success if you eat 4 to 6 small meals a day. Make sure that you have filling foods like whole grains and lots of vegetables in your meals so that you aren’t returning to the fridge or filling up on junk food. Eat every 4 to 6 hours so that your body will stay satisfied longer and you do not find yourself hungry all day.

Tip 2: Eat Healthy Foods
One of the most important parts of a healthy life style is eating healthy foods. Don’t fill your body with fats, sodium and sugar. Instead eat foods that are rich in protein like fish, lean meats or poultry. Eat whole grains instead of white rice, bread or pasta, and reach for fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies.

Tip 3: Eat Slowly
Your brain takes an average of 20 to 25 minutes to register that it is satisfied. If you slow down when you are eating, you will find that you will be full before you have eaten all of your food. Replace fast foods with foods that take longer to eat like salads or soups.

Tip 4: Exercise
Exercising regularly goes hand-in-hand with eating right. Shoot for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 4 times a week. Do cardio and strength training as well to sculpt lean muscles and reach your desired goals.

Tip 5: Stay Active
You don’t have to go to the gym to stay active. Make an effort to move around during your everyday activities as well. Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. If you have a short commute, consider walking to work a couple of times a week instead of taking the bus or driving. You’ll be amazed at how fitting physical activity into your everyday life will impact your overall weight loss.

It is important to incorporate proper eating habits with regular exercise to achieve your weight loss goals. Making the commitment to change your lifestyle by eating healthy and staying physically fit will help you to lose weight more effectively as well as increase your chances of keeping the weight off and sticking to the program.