How to Lose 10 Pounds (or More) in 5 No-Nonsense Steps

In many cases, just giving up soda is enough to shed those 10 pounds with minimal effort. Whether you're drinking regular or diet soda, there is nothing in that 12 oz. aluminum can (or 64 oz. plastic cup) that is going to benefit your body. Your body needs water to do its work and if the only water you're getting is from sugary carbonated drinks, you're probably walking around dehydrated most of the time.

If you need extra incentive to give up soda for good, try googling "Is soda bad?" and reading some of the results that come up. There are actual scientific studies that back up the fact that all soda (even the zero calorie kind) does in fact cause people to gain weight!

If you find it's too hard to give it up completely, try weaning yourself off slowly. Of course, if you can quit cold turkey, all the better. Learn to love water and your body will love you back.

2. Get down and dirty with housework

If you're not an exercise buff, you'll love this next tip. Did you know that washing dishes by hand can actually help you lose weight? It's true! Actually there are dozens of tasks waiting to be done in your own home that can easily take the place of long sessions at the gym.

Try washing dishes by hand instead of using your dishwasher. Wash several loads of laundry, hang to dry and then fold and put everything away. Vacuum every room in the house yourself, instead of turning on the Roomba. Get outside and weed your backyard, plant some flowers or mow the lawn instead of paying someone to do these things for you. All these activities will get your heart rate up, are better for the environment and will have your house sparkling by time you're done!

3. Become a part-time vegetarian

You don't have to go all out and become a vegetarian overnight, but the truth is that most Americans consume way too much meat than is good for us. So just give up the meat every other day and eat a more plant-based diet. There is a wealth of resources out there with yummy vegetarian recipes or you can just skip the meat in your traditional recipes.

However you decide to do it, believe me, your body will thank you for the break from meat. The nice thing about this one is that the weight loss becomes almost effortless. You'll find that when meat is not an option your food choices usually become healthier automatically. Just go easy on the cheese (a common mistake that vegetarians make).

4. Chew gum like a maniac

Many people find it hard to resist the temptation to snack between meals or overeat altogether. And usually we're not even really hungry, but we're bored and popping food into our mouths seems like an easy remedy to that. Well, next time you get a craving, try popping a stick of gum in your mouth and see if the urge to nosh doesn't lessen or completely go away.

I find the chewing gum tip to come in especially handy at nighttime when I'm watching my favorite TV shows and mentally going through my cupboards trying to decide what I should snack on. When I chew gum, my mind doesn't automatically wander off and start to think about food. I don't know why it works, it just does.

5. Downsize everything

If you make no other change in your diet, just try getting your portion sizes under control. Use smaller plates, bowls and cups at home during mealtimes. Stop buying family-size anything and instead opt for single servings.

If chips are your weakness, look for the individual snack sized bags instead and buy them only when you're having a craving. At fast food places, order a small drink instead of your usual medium (or go for plain water instead) and stay away from super-size anything. Many of us have a problem stopping until we've cleaned off our plates. So if there's less on your plate to begin with, you're less likely to overeat.

No matter how small or simple of a change you make, just remember that small changes add up to a big difference. Love yourself enough to keep it up and you'll find a healthier you is right around the corner.