When you are dealing with something as diverse and complex as human beings, it is very difficult to create rules which will work equally well for everyone.
But there are a few things that are universally true. So here are some great basic principles that can help you to lose weight or help you maintain your fit figure once you’ve lost the weight.
Basic Principle #1
When it comes to weight loss, I’ve tried the low-carb diet, diet shakes, really the whole gamut as a teenager — but in my experience, it’s all about the numbers. Weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you take in. You shouldn’t find it difficult to apply this in some aspect of your life. Adjust your diet by cutting down on high-fat food, and high-sugar foods — these usually come in the form of packaged or pre-prepared items, like fast food, gourmet juice and coffee drinks, chain restaurant dishes, and packaged snack foods. Adding more veggies is a great place to start, because they are naturally super low in fat, low in calories and high in nutrients that you need every day.
Basic Principle #2
Take five minutes to think about what you drink on a daily basis. If it’s soda, sweetened coffee, diet drinks, or juices — change your drinks to only unsweetened tea, unsweetened coffee, and water. It may seem extreme at first, but my cousin did this and lost 30 pounds in 6 months. You’ll get used to drinking beverage without sweetener and chop calories quickly. If you use artificial sweetener, stop — because they can set you up for hunger pangs that lead to unhealthy snacking and excess calories. As RD Annemarie Colbin says, “artificial sweeteners can increase appetite because as the sweet taste hits the mouth, a message is passed on to the body that carbohydrates are coming in, then the pancreas swings into action and sends insulin into the bloodstream.”
Basic Principle #3
Going to see a professional nutritionist or dietitian can pay off big time — if only to understand how your current food choices affect your health and weight. If you go it alone — and you can — you will need to put in some serious research and build a folder of favorite go-to healthy recipes that are both high in nutrients and low in calories. Getting the advice and inspiration can help you power through to your weight loss goal!
Basic Principle #4
Find a friend to train or cook with. If you and a friend are both free at the same time of day or several days weekly, you can cheer each other on! Having someone to motivate you works great and when the improvement suddenly appears, you can celebrate together. Having a social aspect to your exercise or cooking routine can also help you look forward to it as well.
Basic Principle #5
Your attitude counts! Smile and always keep a positive attitude. Studies show that people who stay positive have a much easier time achieving their goals, and heck, they just have more fun along the way! Take a gracious attitude about it all. Isn’t it wonderful that we have the freedom and opportunity to live the way we want and learn how to improve and enjoy life more?
Are you ready to look better, feel more energized, and get back that youthful feeling you remember having as a kid? I can help you on a journey that will change the way you eat — for good. My 
As a healthy cooking expert, health coach and TV host, 
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