Diet Challenge

How to eat to lose weight: what a 1,500 calorie day looks like

Nifer — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:24:52 +0000

Did you know that one-third of New Year’s resolutions pertain to weight, diet and health? It’s true. Unfortunately, the majority of us are successful for no more than one week. You’re 10 times as likely to keep your healthy-eating resolutions, however, when you set an explicit goal—like, say, by following a meal plan.

Diet Challenge Tip 28: Celebrate Small Victories

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:51:11 +0000

Tip 28: Celebrate Small Victories.

You’ve made it through the month-long diet challenge…congrats! Keep your weight loss going by setting small goals and rewarding yourself for reaching them. When you reach a goal, treat yourself to something special: a pair of designer jeans, a pedicure, a massage. Rewards really do work.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 27: Find Your Diet Derailers—And Ways to Overcome Them

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:48:40 +0000

Tip 27: Find Your Diet Derailers—And Ways to Overcome Them.

Some people can’t resist chocolate. Others get tripped up by cheese curls and tortilla chips. And then there are those of us who can’t walk by a bakery without breaking down and buying a giant cookie. We all have our “eating-trigger” issues. Review your food journal, do some thinking and figure out what your eating triggers are. Then strategize ways to cope with them. Find some tips here.

Diet Challenge Tip 26: Move More

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:44:17 +0000

Tip 26: Move More.

Incidental exercise—the kind you get from every day activities—significantly increases overall calorie burn. For instance, taking the stairs burns 107 calories in 10 minutes, straightening up the house burns 62 calories in 20 minutes. This week, try taking those small actions that can add up to a big difference in calories burned. Find out 4 foods to fuel your workout.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 25: Make A Bet

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:38:46 +0000

Tip 25: Make A Bet.

You create a goal, set the stakes and assign a friend to keep you accountable at stickK.com. Fail to meet your goal and the site pays a charity from your credit card (if you enter one...money is optional, but placing a wager may more than double your rate of success, say the Yale researchers who launched the site).

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 24: Savor a Small Treat Each Day

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:33:49 +0000

Tip 24: Savor a Small Treat Each Day.

Savor a small treat each day—it won’t break your diet, says new research in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Under-150-calorie snacks: 16 oz. skim latte, two squares of dark chocolate, ½ cup (nonpremium) ice cream. Or try one of our yummy 100-calorie snacks.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 23: Have Some Soup

Nifer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:25:56 +0000

Tip 23: Have Some Soup.

In one study, published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, people consumed the fewest calories on days when they ate soup. Broth-based soups packed with veggies give you the biggest bang for your caloric buck. Get recipes for 30-minute low-calorie soups here.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 22: Cut Up Veggies

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:29:12 +0000

Tip 22: Cut Up Veggies.

Use some weekend free time to cut up veggies and place them in airtight containers or bags. Having prepped veggies on hand turns them into convenience food. When you’re looking for a quick snack or easy meal throughout the week, dip into your veggie stash for a healthy option. Try one of these low-cal vegetable-packed dinners.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 21: Ask a Friend to Take a Walk

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:16:08 +0000

Tip 21: Ask a Friend to Take a Walk.

Buddy up and get moving. Talking a walk, hitting a dance or yoga class or doing another favorite activity with a friend is a great way to spend quality time that’s healthy for both of you.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 20: Ditch the Top Slice of Bread

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:13:07 +0000

Tip 20: Ditch the Top Slice of Bread.

Opting for an open-face sandwich instantly erases 100 calories. Choose whole-grain bread–the fiber content will help keep you feeling full. Plus, research suggests whole grains can help erase belly fat.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 19: Pack Your Snacks with Protein and Fiber

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:10:27 +0000

Tip 19: Pack Your Snacks with Protein and Fiber.

Protein and fiber are both especially satisfying—they help keep you full longer and on fewer calories. Try carrots and hummus, nonfat cottage cheese and orange slices or an apple with almond butter.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 18: Breakfast Like a Champ

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:07:33 +0000

Tip 18: Breakfast Like a Champ.

Research shows dieters are more successful at losing weight—and keeping it off—when they eat breakfast, and repeating the same meals can help you shed pounds, says a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A favorite of EatingWell’s nutrition editors? A whole-wheat English muffin topped with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and half a banana, sliced (278 calories). Find more filling low-cal breakfasts.

Diet Challenge Tip 17: Have Some Yogurt

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:02:43 +0000

Tip 17: Have Some Yogurt.

Of all foods it’s the most closely linked with weight loss, according to a recent Harvard study. Find out the four other top weight-loss promoting foods (and the five that make you gain).

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 16: Spend 30 Minutes a Day Running, Swimming or Biking

Nifer — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:52:14 +0000

Tip 16: Spend 30 Minutes a Day Running, Swimming or Biking.

Need some motivation? Just 30 minutes of exercise every day burns an extra 250 calories—which equates to burning an extra ½ pound per week. Challenge yourself to get 30 minutes of cardio in each day this week.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.

Diet Challenge Tip 15: Gulp Water

Nifer — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:50:09 +0000

Tip 15: Gulp Water.

People who downed two cups of water before meals lost more weight than those who didn’t in one 2010 study. Plus, drinking water can help edge out calories from calorie-laden beverages like juice, soda and even sweetened tea or coffee. Find out how much water you should drink each day.

For more diet challenge tips, meal plans and get-started guide, visit the Diet Challenge landing page.