Ten Easy Ways to Lose Pounds

With that said, there are a few things you can do to shed a few pounds and feel healthier throughout the day. The following are 10 simple things that will help you do just that.

1. Eat Breakfast

That's right. You've heard it a million times. I know it's hard to wake up a little earlier than what you're used to, but you don't even have to do that. Pick up some fruit at the grocery store on your next trip and designate those items as "Breakfast only." Grab and Apple, Orange or Banana on the way to your car and either eat it in your car (be careful) or at your desk when you get to work (if possible.

If you have more time in the morning, try the following: Oatmeal (minus the sugar/butter), 1 whole egg + egg white (the yolk is about 80% of the calories. Whites only have apprx. 10 calories).

*Try to avoid granola bars as these have lots of unwanted sugar and unnecessary additives.

2. Do something during commercials

Make a deal with yourself that if you watch 1 hour of TV you do XX amount of push ups/jumping jacks/squats. You're not doing anything during the commercial anyway (besides mindless channel surfing) so why not be active?

Also, try doing leg lifts or various exercises DURING the television show.

3. Don't ask for help

At least when you can do the task yourself. How often have you said, "Honey, can you turn the lights off?" Or "Would you mind grabbing me a glass of water?"

If you can do it yourself, you might as well. Moving around gets your heart pumping and makes you feel better about yourself, too.

4. Pace while on the phone

Again, any opportunity to move around is one you should take advantage of. When we're talking on our cell phones or even landline phones (at work or at home) we often sit and listen. If you are able to move around while on the phone, do it! Try pacing back and forth. I promise, you won't look weird.

5. Walk to your local café/bistro/grocery store/etc.

Did you know that humans were made to walk? In fact, we can outwalk any animal on the planet in a walking race! So why don't you put your human talent to use? The next time you want to go to the local café, keep your car keys at home and use your feet!

If your grocery store/café/etc. is too far away, simply take a walk around the block. Take your pet with you!

6. Drink water instead of soda (even diet soda).

Water is so good for you. It helps clean out your system, detoxify and rinse away the yuck that builds up! Drink as much water as you can per day. Also, make an effort to cut the soda out of your life. I have several friends who have literally watched pounds melt away after they cut soda out of their diet completely.

*While diet soda has little/no calories, it has a substance in it that makes your metabolism slow down, thus making it more likely for you to gain weight. Soda is just bad.

7. Shop!

That's right, shop! Even if you're going window shopping, the act alone gets you on your feet and walking around. If you're interested in just how far you go when you're out, buy a pedometer (very inexpensive these days) and keep track of the miles you walk!

8. Get intimate

This is for mature audiences of course! Sex and foreplay offer some of the best workouts. Try interesting positions and move around!

9. Dance!

Dancing requires you to move your whole body and on top of that, it's fun! This weekend, go out dancing with your friends. And even if you're a homebody on the weekends or spend time by yourself you can turn up the music and get a little groovy!

10. Don't buy junk food

You know the saying "Out of sight, out of mind." Well, it actually proves itself to be true. If you don't have the junk food around, you probably won't have it on your mind. Simply avoiding it at the grocery store is the best way to not eat it.

Also, if you just HAVE to have something a little devilish in your cupboard, put it on a higher shelf that you can't see. How many times have you not been craving something sweet/salty and you open your cabinet and you say, "Oh! That sounds good"? This way, you only eat it if you're truly craving the item.

Print this out or keep it on your fridge to remind you how you can drop a few pounds with minimal effort!