These 10 weight loss tips — including a couple that might surprise you — can help get you started on a weight loss journey. It’s all about making a few small changes that together can make a big difference.
Highlights
- Set yourself up for success with realistic planning, simple tracking tools and support systems that keep you accountable without extreme dieting.
- Focus on daily habits like smarter food choices, portion awareness, hydration, movement and sleep to create steady, sustainable progress.
- Build balance, not restriction by fueling your body well, choosing healthier snacks, supporting gut health and leaning on others when motivation dips.
10 Ways to Overcome Vacation Weight Gain
When it comes to achieving our weight loss goals, we have to start somewhere. Our time is limited and we need realistic advice to be successful in our weight loss journey. You might not be in a position to hire a nutritionist, registered dietitian or a personal trainer and that’s OK because we’ve all got what it takes to do it on our own!
Each of these tips is a simple lifestyle change or recommendation I have used in the past to shed that dreaded holiday and vacation weight gain. It’s all about making a few small changes that can add up to a big difference.
1. Make a Plan
This section is sponsored by Simple Life.
I never do my best work without a plan. So I would never start on a weight loss journey without a plan either. That’s where Simple Life comes in. The app starts with a quiz and uses my answers to build a personalized plan for me. No strict diets, no running marathons, no unrealistic expectations.
Instead, the virtual coach helps me change my behavior to meet my nutritional, wellness and weight loss goals. Plus, there’s a cute emotional support feature named Blinky. He’s a furry friend who cheers when I log meals, sulks when I don’t, and spirals when I ignore him — just the nudge I need to get back on track.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Use code SIMPLE60 before Jan. 30 to save 60% off Simple Weight Loss Plans.
2. Avoid Unhealthy Carbs
It’s true that not all carbs are created equal. Start by cutting the unhealthy carbs you consume each day — those with processed sugars, such as white bread, white rice and sugar-sweetened beverages. This will jump-start your weight loss journey because it will help you avoid water retention and, even better, it can reduce your appetite.
Find out more about which carbs to cut here.
3. Control Those Portions
Most of the time, our eating habits play the largest role in our weight gain. When you start monitoring your portion sizes, you’ll notice a difference in the number of calories you’re consuming. This doesn’t mean that you can never eat ice cream again, it just means that if you choose to splurge, do so with healthy limits.
Portion control will help you to avoid overeating and will create a healthy balance for mealtimes. If you need assistance, try starting with a portion control plate. These are great for training us to put the right amount of each food group on our plate at mealtime. Portion control is the easiest of all the tips listed here for me. Honestly, it’s easier for me to put a portion limit on myself than to force myself into a diet that limits me completely.
4. Start an Exercise Routine
First of all, an exercise routine will be different for everyone. It’s important to start a routine that is easy for you to maintain. If you make it a goal to do an hour-long at-home workout video each day and it becomes something you dread doing, then you’re more likely to give up. Perhaps what’s best for you is to start with the goal of walking 1 mile each day or running for 30 minutes on the treadmill. Whatever your goal, make sure it’s something you can stick with. The objective is to do some type of exercise EVERY DAY.
For me, it’s also important to find a routine that can be done at home. I have a gym membership, but I’m not able to use it as frequently as I’d like. If the kids get sick or something comes up, I’m the one who has to shift my schedule to accommodate those things and exercising at the gym is one of the first things to go. This means that I need to have an exercise routine that I can carry out at home.
Having the right exercise gear can make it easier and more fun to work out at home. Here is the workout gear I bought:
- Exercise Mat
- All-Purpose Dumbbell Set
- Resistance Loop Exercise Bands (I travel a lot, so I’m especially fond of these. They are easy to pack and go with me everywhere so I can keep up my exercise routine even on the road!)
5. Drink More Water
I know this tip comes as no surprise to you. It’s worth adding to this list because it’s been said that 75% of people don’t drink enough water. Why is it good for weight loss? For three reasons:
- It helps boost your metabolism.
- It helps suppress your appetite.
- It cleanses your body.
Try one of these motivational water bottles to track your water consumption each day.
6. Ensure You Get the Right Nutrients
Losing weight can mean limiting caloric intake. To ensure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients each day, try using a nutritional supplement. If you’re maintaining a good workout routine, a nutritional supplement can also enhance your athletic performance.
7. Go Ahead and Snack!
Snacking isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on the snacks you choose. If I’m watching TV or working in my office I know I’m going to feel “snacky.” So I try to always be prepared with healthy snack options. Here are some of my healthy snack favorites:
- Mixed Nuts
- Hummus and Veggies
- Hard-boiled Eggs
- Apples and Almond Butter
- Avocado on Sprouted Bread
- Greek Yogurt
8. Remember the Probiotics
Probiotics help to balance the bacteria in your gut; it’s important to have a healthy gut when you’re trying to lose weight. While this tip alone may not promote weight loss, we think a combination of this suggestion and some of the others on this list will make a difference.
When shopping for probiotics, look for one with at least a billion CFU (colony-forming units) like this one. Even my kids take a daily probiotic; it’s a healthy habit for the whole family to start.
9. Take a Nap
You read that right. You know you need to sleep more, but did you know that lack of sleep contributes to weight gain and actually increases your appetite?
When you are well rested, you have more energy to exercise; it’s harder to stay physically active when you’re tired. Click here to learn more about how poor sleep dramatically alters the way your body responds to food.
10. Ask for Support
This is such an important tip. One that shouldn’t be dismissed. We all need support.
- Find a friend or family member you can text when you’re about to consume an entire bag of Cheetos because it’s been one of those days with the kids.
- Ask your significant other for support so that when you’re getting meals-to-go, they can help pick places that have healthier meal options.
- Invite someone to go on regular walks with you so you less tempted to forego daily exercise
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