21 Tips for Weight Loss That Actually Work

Research suggests that keeping a record of everything you put in your mouth really can help you meet your weight-loss goals.

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Losing weight may be daunting, but there’s always a chance to find new ways to shed pounds, whether you have a little or a lot to lose. We set out to find the most effective weight-loss tips experts could provide.

Here’s their advice:

1. Eat Slowly

“I have my clients learn how to choose foods they like, really taste each morsel going into their mouths, and chew deliberately. I advise them to chew slowly, swallow only when the food is all chewed up, and repeat. It takes time to know we're full. Eating slowly allows us to not only enjoy our food more, but gives us better cues of satiety.” — Janet Zinn, licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in private practice in New York City

2. You Bite It, You Write It!

“That’s my rule, and numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of food journaling for weight loss. One of my clients went out of town for one week. She stopped journaling and gained 13 pounds. I promise that keeping a food journal helps!” — Christine King, founder and CEO of health and wellness company YourBestFit in Boynton Beach, Florida

3. Exercise Anything That Moves

“That’s my mantra — and I started this after I broke my back and was paralyzed from the waist down. Do it in bed, while seated, standing, or walking. Just move. People have a misconception that five minutes doesn’t make a difference, but every minute makes a difference.” (And research published in January 2014 in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases showed that physical activity is critical when it comes to actually keeping lost weight off.) — King

4. Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal

“Our eating habits are usually connected to our emotions — whether we realize it or not. When we're stressed we tend to reach for sweets. I tell clients that by keeping a daily journal of things you're grateful for, you’re better able to cope with the stress by acknowledging it rather than reaching for dessert.” — Lauren Manganiello, RD, nutrition counselor and fitness coach in New York City

5. Batch Cook and Prep

“Every Sunday I batch cook enough chicken for the week. I cut off the fat, bake it with seasoning, measure 3.5 ounces (oz), and put that much into a container with some mustard and frozen veggies, so I can grab one a day to bring to work. I also take the time to divvy up ¼ cup of oats, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) natural peanut butter, 1 tbsp ground flax, and a pinch each of protein powder and cinnamon to sweeten in individual containers. So when I’m a zombie in the morning, all I need to do is add water and microwave!” — Kyra Williams, a personal trainer in Boston

6. Get Enough Zzzzs

“Inadequate sleep is not only associated with a higher intake of calories, but is also correlated with a host of other behaviors that contribute to weight gain. For example, we’re less likely to exercise when we're tired, we have lower impulse control — which can cause us to stray from standard healthy routines — and finally, being tired means we’re more likely to both select foods high in calories and low in nutrients and overestimate portion sizes. In short, adequate sleep keeps us sharp. When we’re well rested we're less likely to seek an energy boost from high-calorie foods or caffeine!” — Jennifer Markowitz, RD, clinical dietitian at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia

7. Don’t Skip Meals

“Ever get ‘hangry’ to the point of no return? When we skip a meal we’re more likely to overeat at the next one, and we’re also more inclined to make less-healthy choices. At a minimum try to eat three meals a day.” — Markowitz

8. Stay Hydrated

“Research has found that people who drank two glasses of water before a meal lost more weight than people who didn’t drink water before meals — and they kept it off. This simple tip works in two ways. Thirst can mask itself as hunger, causing you to eat more. And water makes you feel fuller, causing you to eat less during a meal.” — Megan Casper, RDN, nutrition counselor and founder and CEO of Nourished Bite

9. Cut Calories, Not Flavor

“By choosing options such as sharp cheddar over mild cheddar, you can use less, but you’ll still get a lot of flavor without feeling like you're on a diet.” — Casper

10. Weigh Yourself Once a Week

“Same day, same time, same amount of clothing. Remember that your weight isn’t a single number but a five-pound range. Work to move the range down, not the exact number.” — Lainey Younkin, RD, nutrition counselor and consultant in Boston

11. Reorganize Your Plate

“Make half your plate vegetables, a quarter of your plate whole grains, and a quarter of your plate protein. When you switch the portions of grains and vegetables on your plate, you'll see a difference. The only caveat: Potatoes, corn, and peas are starchy vegetables, so they go in the grains category.” — Younkin

12. Follow the 80 Percent Rule

“Eat until you feel just 80 percent full. Pack any extra food away instead of feeling like you have to be part of the ‘clean plate club.’” — Helene Byrne, ACE, founder of BeFit-Mom in Oakland, California

13. Skip the Liquid Calories

“There’s a strong relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in adults. If you regularly have a sip of something sweet, consider this: Research has shown that reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages can result in meaningful weight loss, even if it's the only change you make. Replacing a 20-oz soda with sparkling water every day would save more than 20,000 calories over a few months, which could translate into more than five-pounds of weight loss!” — Brittany Markides, RDN, founder of Choose Food in Austin, Texas

14. Be Choosy at Restaurants

“The foods we eat away from home tend to be higher in calories and lower in nutrients than the ones we make at home. A study published in April 2016 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that the average restaurant entrée contains more than 1,000 calories and an entire day’s worth of sodium and fat. To save calories, split your entrée or ask the server to substitute extra green veggies or a salad for potato or rice.” — Markides

15. Embrace Veggies

“When in doubt, eat a vegetable. They’re low-calorie, high-fiber, and full of nutrition. Snack on kale, lettuce, carrots, or green beans. And finally: Skip the butter and oil, but do add herbs or garlic for a great taste.” — Jamie Logie, personal trainer, nutritionist, health coach, and wellness blogger in Ontario, Canada

16. In Fact, Make Vegetables the Stars

“Next time you make pasta, make a very small portion of the pasta itself and toss the dish with roasted broccoli, shrimp, garlic, and lemon zest. You’ll feel less deprived and you’ll be able to still eat your favorite satisfying foods.” — Kate Martino, physician’s assistant and weight loss coach in private practice in Fair Lawn, New Jersey

17. Keep Unhealthy Foods out of the House

“It’s pretty simple: If you don’t have it you can’t eat it. Instead of chips and cookies, keep convenient and easy-to-prepare items at close reach. Such items include nuts and seeds, precut fruit and vegetables, string cheese, edamame, eggs, salmon, and yogurt. This doesn't mean you can't have treats. Just buy yourself one serving to enjoy at a time.” — Rachel Goodman, RD, nutrition associate at Alicia Calvo & Associates Medical Nutrition Network

18. Use Portion-Controlled Dishes

“We eat with our eyes first and we like to see a full plate. Using smaller plates, bowls, and cups will reduce the amount of food you can serve yourself, while at the same time allow you to fill your dish up and keep you from feeling deprived. For example, an observational study showed that people who used a 9-inch plate versus a 10- or 12-inch plate ate up to 22 percent less!” — Goodman

19. Start Where You Are and Do What You Can

“Don't feel like you need to overhaul your entire life starting immediately. Assess where you are currently and then figure out where you’d like to be in the future. A great starting point for mostly sedentary people is to get a step counter and see how much you walk on a normal day. Then set a step goal slightly higher than the norm and strive for that, working your way up slowly to a goal of 10,000 steps per day.” — Esther Avant, an ACE-certified personal trainer in Kapolei, Hawaii

20. Salt Craving? Skip the Chips

“When you need a salty fix, reach for popcorn, not chips. According to one study, those who munch on a cup of the air-popped treat are significantly more satisfied than their chip-loving friends. Popcorn is a whole grain, fiber-filled snack. A single serving of potato chips (for a typical 1-oz small bag) is a dense 149 calories, while the same amount of popcorn (air-popped) is only 31, meaning you can feel full and slim down with every delicious bite.” — Rene Ficek, RD, CDE, with Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating

21. Eat Breakfast

“To combat the urge to overindulge in the evening, make sure to eat a protein- and fiber-filled breakfast in the morning. Healthy choices for protein include eggs, yogurt, and nuts or nut butters. Pair protein with a high-fiber food like a high-fiber cereal or fruit.” — Ficek

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