Small changes that make a big difference in your diet!

Small Changes That Make A Big Difference

Instead of trying to do a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise program, it may be easier to think about the small things you can start doing today to give your healthy weight loss program a boost.

You may think that small changes won't really help you - but actually the opposite is true. Small changes do add up and do make a difference when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, decreasing your risks of chronic diseases and helping you be more successful at losing weight.

Here are some tips to guide you:

1) Sprinkle your food with healthy fats. We know that if you include some fat in your diet, you will feel more satisfied and less hungry overall. This will help you stick with your diet program. Consider sprinkling your salads, yogurt or stir fry dishes with a handful of heart healthy nuts like walnuts, almonds or pistachios.

2) Take more steps. Too often, I see dieters delay their exercise program because they can't afford a health club membership or don't have the right equipment at home. I tell them to just start walking - anywhere and any time - during the course of their normal daily routine. All steps count and add up to burning more calories. Start parking your car farther away, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to mail a letter or walk your pooch longer. And all you need is a good pair of gym shoes!

3) Make a list. Your diet will only work if you have the right foods at home to help you follow your meal plan, try a new healthy recipe or start bringing your lunch to work. Place a pad of post-its in your kitchen and everyday jot down some healthy staples for your weekly grocery shopping list. Commit to shopping from a list and you'll soon find that you're more organized, can do better planning and you'll have the right snack foods available to encourage healthier eating.

4) Ask one person for support. We all need support but especially when it comes to making lifestyle changes to lose weight. Your family members and friends are not mind readers and don't really know the kind of help you need. Identify someone you trust and ask that person for specific help. For example, you may ask your spouse to babysit so you have time to get in some exercise or you may ask a neighbor to be your walking buddy in the neighborhood. Or you may reach out to the Diet.com support community by posting weekly questions on the premium member message boards or blogging weekly about your weight loss journey.

I hope these four tips will give you new ideas of what you can start doing today to help yourself lose weight.