Weight Loss Tips for the Real Person

This is the time of year when people start to make resolutions to lose weight and start a diet. Health clubs are well aware of the after New Year's rush to hit the gym, so many start offering deals that include free months, no start up or registration fees and bonus visits with personal trainers or nutritionists to jump start your weight loss. As seen on TV and overnight cures rev up this time of year as their manufacturers are clambering for the beat the bulge buck.

Any gym or health club will tell you that the rush to the door is generally short lived. Some even have special notations on their paperwork that say that some machines and equipment may have waits in the months of January and February. Soon, the gumption to lose weight is left behind and packed away for next year along with those red bows and stockings.

Reasons for the mass exodus from the weight loss bandwagon vary, but many include the time it takes to see results and the time that is required to hit the gym and prepare the special foods. Much of it boils down to one simple thing - Time.

There are easier ways to start losing a small amount of weight and generally feel healthier. These are five little things that you can do that do not take a lot of time or energy and can make a world of difference.

1. Park farther away from your destination. Let's face it. We've all heard this before. Park farther away and get a few extra steps in your day. But, even though we've heard this adage time and time again, we still circle the lot looking for that one "princess parking" spot. Make an effort to park farther away. If you can not bring yourself to do that, pledge to park in the first spot you see. Take it as a sign or what have you.

2. Drink more water. Yep, another one that we have heard time and time again, but this one really works. Purchase a large mug. Think of those gallon size monsters that you see at discount stores every spring. Fill it with ice water and keep it buy your desk or next to your spot on the couch. You'll be surprised at how quickly the thing goes down. If you're a person who doesn't like to drink water, try putting a few drops of lemon juice in there as well. That may be enough to turn you on to water. This is a virtually no effort step to help you get healthier and lose weight. Just think, you may add some of those steps when you're running to the bathroom more often.

3. Drink one less soda or pop per day. This is a good start if you can't bring yourself to switch to diet or non-carbonated beverages. Just one less soda can per day can save you 100 to 120 calories. Those few calories can really add up over time.

4. Try to eat at home a few times a week. By the time you collect orders and make the run through the drive through, you've already burnt much of the time needed to actually make dinner at home. Sit down restaurants are even worse for time management, and for portion control. There are many convenience-style dinners on the market that take little to no culinary ability and even less time to prepare. Some even have everything you need in one bag - you just plop the contents in a skillet, eat and eat. There are some great easy meals in the freezer case that are very low in fat and calories and actually taste good, too.

5. Have snacks on you. This may seem counter productive. You're thinking, "Hey, I'm trying to lose weight, not eat more. Why would I want snacks on me?" Well, it all falls back on what type of snacks you have on you. I can understand if you're not quite ready to make the plunge to boxes of raisins and apples, but there are ways to fill that snacking need that are low in calories and fat. Check out the latest offerings in the 100 calorie pack lines. There is everything from cakes, chocolate, peanut butter and chips all easily packaged and ready to go. These take the same amount of time to purchase as a candy bar or bag of chips, but they are more diet-friendly. You just might avoid those vending machines at the mid-afternoon slump by having one or two of these pre-packaged goodies on hand.

These tips are just the jumping point, but they are a good place to start and present more reasonable goals then most of us make this time each year. You will not drop a dress size in a week with these ideas, but they can help and just might inspire you to do something more, or at least stick with it. Good luck and happy dieting!