The number one question we get through our Ask a Nutritionist form is, “How can I lose weight?” It is a tricky question since there is no one right answer. Every person has his or her own special needs.

What we do know for sure - you don’t need a fancy meal delivery service, or a special diet plan to lose weight! Healthy weight loss comes from a little knowledge, and a lot of dedication. Below we’ll share some of our favorite, free tools and tips to help you meet your personal weight loss goals while saving money. 

The first step in managing your weight is knowing how many calories your body needs. Your own personal needs are based on your age, sex, height, weight, and how much physical activity (exercise) you get daily. You can find your healthy eating style using the MyPlate Plan. For a quick estimate, you can use our “Calories Needed Each Day” guide.  

Once you know what you need to do to lose weight, you need to make sure you do it. That means keeping track of what you eat and drink daily. You can do this by using your MyPlatePlan. You can also write it down in a daily journal, or in the notes of your phone. If you enjoy technology, the free Start Simple with MyPlate app or MyFitnessPal app may work for you.

Your body is not meant to go without food for long. It’s a good idea to enjoy meals every 4 – 6 hours with small snacks in between (every 2 hours). This keeps your blood sugar steady and prevents hunger from causing you to overeat.  

Another tip for preventing hunger is to choose healthy, filling foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans contain fiber. These foods fill up your belly and keep your blood sugar steady. Protein also helps to keep your blood sugar level and prevents cravings. Adding a protein-rich food to every meal will help you eat less. Fill up on the following healthy foods:

• Fruits and Vegetables - Half of the foods you eat during the day should be fruits and vegetables. Some great examples of filling fruits include apples, berries, oranges, bananas, pears, and melon. Fiber-rich veggies include leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, onions, okra, and celery.   See Vegetables the Easy Way and 14 Tips for Using Canned & Frozen Fruits for more ideas.
• Whole Grains - Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, quinoa, oats, and popcorn are a few of the filling whole grain foods. Find more Whole Grain Tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov.
• Lean Proteins – Chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, nuts, beans, eggs, and lentils are some of the healthiest protein foods. See the Cheapest Protein Foods and Save Money with Plant Proteins for more inspiration.
  

Snacks tend to have a bad reputation. That’s because many of the packaged foods we call “snacks,” like chips, cookies, cakes, are loaded with sugar, salt, and too many calories. To learn what makes a great snack see our Healthy Snacking Tips guide.  You can also pick from our Healthy Snack Recipes, or explore 13 Homemade Snacks.

We’ve talked about this on the blog before (here, and here, and even here). Water is the best choice in drinks. It doesn’t have calories which means you can drink as much as you want. Some studies have even shown that drinking water before meals helps to reduce your appetite. Besides, when staying active, it is important to get enough water so that you keep hydrated. Aim for 6-10 cups to day. Learn more at Water First for Your Thirst.

Don’t forget to move as much as you can! The more you move, the more calories you burn. Plus, all that movement helps to build muscle which helps to burn even more calories. Talk about a win/win!! Find lots of ideas on ways to get more activity in your day on the Move Your Way website. Keep it fun so you'll stick with it. Play with your kids, take a walk with a friend, or follow along to an exercise video on your phone.

It's always a good idea to discuss your weight loss goals with a trusted physician and/or dietitian. They will know more about your personal health and physical abilities. Also, when losing weight, slow and steady is best. Fad diets that promise quick results often lead to weight gain. Lasting weight loss takes time. You can do it!

I may have overdone it on the pie at Thanksgiving. Okay, I pretty much overdid it on everything from November until now. I feel gross. Anyone else out there feeling gross? I need some physical activity in my life. I have exactly zero time to wait and zero dollars to start. Luckily, there are lots of options to get moving at home and around town. Here are some ideas based on where you live.

Getting more physical activity can keep your heart healthier, your muscles stronger, your bowel movements more regular (seriously), boost your mood, and may even improve your memory and thinking skills. And if none of that motivates you - it also burns calories. Adding more physical activity in your life doesn't have to mean sweating away at the gym, or twisting yourself into a pretzel at a yoga studio. While those are great ways to become more active, there are lots of other easy ways to get moving. Below are some activities you can do on a typical day (while also accomplishing other things!) to burn 100 calories*: 

Staying active can sometimes feel like just another thing on your to-do list, but here are a few ways to fit more fitness into your daily routine.

Pushing a stroller, shoveling snow, and washing a car are forms of physical activity, but because they require less effort than a playing a game of soccer, you'll need to put in more time. To burn around 150 calories, it would take*:

If you don't have time for pick up basketball, try doing a few chores around the house or taking the long way home when walking your dog. The easier the activity, the longer it will take to burn calories, so keep this in mind when considering ways to accomplish your New Year's Resolutions. For more ways to get active, take a look at our exercise tips, and let us know if you have any to add!