Drop Pounds: Real World Tips That Work

From the Editors of Prevention

Losing weight doesn’t necessarily require big modifications in your lifestyle. Research tells us it’s the small decisions that add up to change. Here are some of the latest findings about what makes us tick and how to overcome common diet obstacles.

The Price of Self Control

The real reason dieting is so hard? New research suggests we have a fixed reservoir of self-restraint. If you use willpower in one area (like, you stop eating chocolate), you become impulsive in other ways (say, blowing money on shoes). When University of Minnesota marketing researchers asked volunteers to write an essay and then go shopping, those who were free to write about any topic spent $1.21 on average; essayists who were forced to exercise self-control, by restricting themselves to certain topics, gave in to the temptation to spend more ($4.05 on average). The lesson? Before you start your summer diet, hide those credit cards!

Your Worst Diet Days… Solved!

You wouldn't watch Saturday morning cartoons on a Wednesday, and you wouldn't vote on a Friday. Well, there are certain days you probably won't be able to stick to a diet, either, found new research. Cornell University scientists say it's all in your mind-set. "A Monday diet is usually a reaction to an indulgent weekend and can be too extreme and too limiting," says lead researcher Brian Wansink, PhD. Here, science-proven tips to make your diet survive the days you're most tempted to give up.

Monday:
Chips and dip, french fries, and cake, oh my. Your weekend was filled with junk food, and now you're in withdrawal. Eat veggies and fruits so you're not tempted to fill up on nutrient-poor snacks.

Tuesday:
Motivation flags: You dread making healthy changes all week and all year. Bribe yourself with scheduled snack times. Eat low-fat yogurt or a handful of almonds 1½ hours before a meal; protein can take the edge off hunger.

Friday:
Weekend fun begins, and you can't refuse a dinner out with friends. Split a dish--many are 1,000 calories or more; half is the perfect portion.

Reset Your Thermostat

You may burn more calories if your body is working harder to maintain its core temperature. Obesity researchers speculate that some of the population's weight gain may be due to the increased use of heating and air-conditioning. Added bonus: you’ll save money on your electric bill!

Next: More Real World Tips