5 Sweat-Free Ways to Lose Weight

Sometimes a few tips are all that a woman needs to kick-start her weight-loss. If you hear the words “diet” and “exercise” and immediately recoil, that probably means that you have had many negative experiences with previous fitness plans. Well, this article will help you find some less traumatic ways to lose pounds and promote health.

1. Add food, don’t subtract. “Adding in really works, taking away never does,” says registered dietitian David Grotto, RD, LDN, author of 101 Optimal Life Foo. Add in healthy treats you enjoy, like deep-red cherries, juicy grapes, or crunchy snow peas. Put your favorite fruits into your bag lunch and breakfast cereal; add the vegetables to soups, stews, and sauces. If you eat the healthy foods first, often you will eat less of the high-calorie, high-carb foods that used to plague your diet. Once you develop a taste for these healthy indulgences, you will crave them more than the heavy, greasy foods you once longed for.

2. Don’t call it “working-out.” Think of the things you love to do – take walks on the beach? Go for bike rides? Scuba-dive? These and thousands of other activities will get you moving, get your heart rate up, and burn calories. Just don’t think of it an exercise. Think of it as a fun, refreshing treat and a break from the pressures of daily life. You will be much more inclined to make snow angels than haul yourself to the gym if you think of it as a fun activity and not a chore.

3. Go for walks. “Walking when the weather’s nice is a super-easy way to keep fit,” says Diane Virginias, a certified nursingassistant from New York. “I enjoy the seasons,” she says, adding that even when she’s short on time she’ll go out for a few minutes. “Even a five minute walk is a five minute walk.” If you don’t live in a neighborhood suited for strolling, she recommends some practical ways to add steps to your day:
-Trade your power mower for a push version.
-Park your car at the back of the lot.
-Get out of the office building and enjoy walking meetings.
-Sweep the drive or rake the leaves instead of using a leaf-blower.
-Get off the bus a few stops earlier.
-Hike the mall, being sure to hit all the levels.
-Take the stairs every chance you get.
-Sign up for charity walks.
-Crank the music and get your heart rate up the next time you mop or vacuum

4. Lighten up the foods you love. This is an easy one. If you love pizza, why not try it with reduced fat cheese? And that ice cream probably won’t taste any different if you buy the same brand, but with less calories. You don’t have to give up your guilty pleasures, but you can try to find healthy alternatives. If you can’t handle the low-calorie drinks, one nutritionist recommended adding a small amount of the healthier drink to your normal drink, and slowly increasing the ratio as you adjust to it.

5. Drink water constantly. This not only keeps the body hydrated, but it is a well-known trick for those who seek to reduce their calorie intake. Down some water before a meal and you won’t feel so famished. Research has also shown that those who snack compulsively should keep no-calorie beverages at hand. This keeps your mouth busy and less likely to snack on junk food.
These are just a few ways to supplement your weight-loss and stay healthy. Small changes may make a big difference if you stay disciplined and school your bad habits.