Get Ready to Lose

Sometimes it seems like the entire world is out to sabotage your weight-loss efforts, from the boss who only orders pastries for morning meetings to the cupcake-wielding co-worker to the pal who's pushing you to hit happy hour instead of the gym. And, of course, there's the fact that you're faced with food everywhere you go, including gas stations, department stores and all-night convenience stores. How can you succeed when you're up against so many obstacles day after day? The answer is to make some small adjustments to create a healthy environment that actually helps making losing easier. Try these tricks to make your life a little more weight-loss friendly:

Buddy up. Study after study shows just how important having a support system is when you're trying to slim down. You can encourage a friend to join the Best Life Challenge with you or find a workout partner. At the very least, have a pal or two you can call or email when you feel like straying from your healthy-eating and workout plan.




Clean house. Empty your cabinets and fridge of any less-than-nutritious nibbles and fill them up with healthier (but as tasty) options. If you do want to keep a few treats around, limit yourself to one or two choices, and opt for individually wrapped or clearly portioned treats, such as biscotti or Skinny Cow bars. (It can be tough to stop when you're eating cookies straight from a big box.) Also, try storing treats in a hard-to-reach place. Save the more conspicuous places (like kitchen counters or the top shelf in the fridge) for the healthy stuff. If you leave fruit and veggies in the crisper, you may forget about them. To learn what healthy foods you should keep in your kitchen, check out the Best Life Staples Shopping List.

Pack your bag. Keep a gym bag packed with all the essentials, that way if you find that you have an extra 20 or 30 minutes during the day, you can squeeze in a quick workout. You can stash one in your car and another in your office so you're always ready to go.

Downsize dishes. Healthy portions look downright skimpy on the oversized plates we all use today. Plus, studies suggest that the bigger the plate, the more you'll eat. So opt for smaller-sized plates and bowls, which allow you to eat a satisfying meal without overdoing it.

Rehearse your lines. You know that friends, family and coworkers will likely tempt you (unknowingly or not) to veer of course. So, come up with a few responses to deflect their offers. For example, if a friend wants to meet up, why not suggest that you skip happy hour and take a class together at your gym instead? Or, if you're headed to mom's house and you know she won't let you leave without having seconds of her homemade brownies, be prepared with a reason why you can't. It could be something as simple as, 'Mom, you know I love your brownies, but I'm really trying to eat healthier, so I'm going to pass.' You may feel a little guilty, but just remind yourself of all the reasons you want to lose weight. And remember, the taste of success beats homemade brownies any day!