Even though we all know that we need to keep ourselves fit and healthy, many of us fall into a rut, where we find ourselves out of shape and overweight. When it comes to taking the right steps to regain our fitness and lose those unwanted pounds, it can be tricky to know how to go about it. With so many fad diets on the market these days, people often get confused and quickly give up and go back to their old ways. I’m going to share with you some tips on how you can kickstart your journey into becoming a healthier you.

Using your common sense is the first step to take. Everybody knows that choosing a packet of chips over an apple is the unhealthy choice. Do a little research and find healthy alternatives, and try new foods. You will be pleasantly surprised on how many really tasty and healthy options are out there. Eating foods that won’t encourage fat to form is also something you should be thinking about.

One thing you should also look at is your portion sizes. Many of us overindulge when it comes to filling our plates, and we have lost sight on what is the correct amount to be eating. This may prove a challenge at first to reduce your portion sizes, as you may feel hungry faster than before. If you stick to it though, you will find your stomach size will shrink and the capacity that it can hold will lessen. Also, eating until you find that hunger has gone is something that will help too. Most of us think that we should eat until we are so full it’s hard to do any activity afterward. This is a common sign that you’re overeating, so that’s something else you may want to consider.

Monitoring what liquids you put in your body is important too. Alcohol and soda should be taken in moderation. They can not only affect your weight, they can affect your teeth, stomach lining and much more. Consider switching to just water, as it’s the best way of hydrating yourself. If you want to mix it up a little, you could try drinking skinny tea as not only does it help prevent bloating, but it’s not harmful for your body in anyway.

Exercise is next on the list. Many of us don’t particularly enjoy exercise because we envision ourselves running endlessly on a treadmill. Find yourself an activity that will get your heart rate up, and one that you also enjoy. You could join a local team for some friendly matches, or grab a buddy and go for some long walks. Walking is also a great way to de-stress your mind and body.

As you can see, you don’t have to follow some fad diet to lose weight successfully. Remember that you’re aiming for a lifestyle change and not a crash diet. You want to remain healthy once you have got your fitness levels back up.