100 Weight Loss Secrets That Took Me Years to Learn!

There is not one big secret to weight loss, there are lots of them. Here are some tried and tested ways to boost your metabolism and kick start weight loss that you can try right away. The trick is to start today, gradually and steadily adopting a few new tips.

• Drink 1 liter of water for every 50lbs of body weight.
• Minimize caffeine – it’s a quick fix that ultimately drains you. 
• Explore an array of vegetables and find out what you love.
• Eat organic – it’s higher quality and more nutritious.
• Rest before you reach the point of crashing.
• Move your body in ways you enjoy.
• Consistently diversify the foods you eat.
• Befriend your body; pay attention to and understand its signals.
• Get a really good health coach who inspires you.
• Find a creative outlet that inspires you.
• Eat plenty of green vegetables.
• Get really clear on what you’d like your health to look like.
• Hang out with friends that energize you.
• Get out of the office at a decent hour even if you still have a lot to do.
• Eat something raw with every meal.
• Undertake the journey to lasting weight loss with a friend.
• Drink smoothies instead of sodas.
• Get out in the sunshine and fresh air during the day.
• Eat Asian food.
• Walk or bike to work.
• Take as much vacation as you can guilt free.
• Play with children or at least the child within.
• Quit the gym if you hate it and find other ways of exercising.
• Focus on what you want – this creates an entirely different future.
• Drop friends that drain you.
• Upgrade your chocolate to dark and organic.
• Improve your communication skills to conserve energy.
• Use technology to automate as much of your life as possible (bill paying, etc.).
• Ask for help or pay someone to help you with extra work/chores.
• Ask your friends what they appreciate about you.
• Ditch artificial sweeteners. Use Stevia instead.
• Raise your voice – or lower it.
• Reflect upon and write a list of what you really desire in life and go for it.
• Eat whole grains and root vegetables daily.
• Cook some of your own food.
• Practice yoga.
• Learn how to have healthy boundaries.
• Immerse yourself in like-minded community.
• Avoid or reduce white flour.
• Meditate frequently.
• Make friends with your kitchen and fridge.
• Experiment with eating less meat.
• Explore Indian spices like turmeric.
• Believe in yourself – become very clear what your strengths are.
• Write a journal tracking what energizes you and drains you.
• Eat more beans and legumes.
• Eat seasonally.
• Allow yourself downtime to recharge and do nothing.
• Take hot baths.
• Cultivate self-love.
• Spend time in nature.
• Wind down effectively at night in order to get a good night’s sleep.
• Stay away from the TV and the computer 1 hour before bed.
• Eat regularly – don’t skip meals.
• Reduce your dairy intake.
• Upgrade the quality of your food across the board.
• Throw out any hydrogenated oils in your pantry.
• Get the sugar out of your diet – start reading labels.
• Grow fresh herbs in your window and add them to your food.
• Drink herbal teas.
• Allow yourself enough time to sleep.
• Observe your breath and strive to breathe deeply.
• Maintain a high level of oral hygiene; especially flossing.
• Get and give massage or bodywork.
• Be bad once in a while.
• Eat a wholesome breakfast.
• Eat slowly and chew well.
• Eat even more vegetables.
• Avoid MSG and other food additives.
• Take responsibility for your own happiness.
• Eat lightly in the evening.
• Enjoy soups frequently – learn how easy it is to make your own.
• Do a cleanse once or twice a year.
• Write gratitude lists periodically.
• Eat a range of seaweeds.
• Skip the elevator, take the stairs.
• Explore your sexuality.
• Use extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil and organic butter.
• Take a walk after dinner.
• Don’t take all the fat out of your diet.
• Love your body however it is.
• Drink freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.
• Incorporate sprouts into your salads.
• Reduce white sugar by adding in less refined natural sweeteners.
• Know your body’s needs for rest.
• Eat a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables daily.
• Create a good support network.
• Include a variety of flavors in your diet not forgetting bitter, astringent and pungent tastes.
• Set aside one night a week all for yourself.
• Foster a sense of humor – laugh a lot.
• Experiment with green superfoods like spirulina and wheat grass.
• Discard your table salt and go for high quality sea salt.
• Learn to cook quick, easy and delicious meals.
• Sing or hum to yourself on the street.
• Face your fears – where there is fear there is energy and power.
• Eat fat dissolving vegetables daily.
• Eat your main meal at lunch time.
• Go out dancing without drugs or alcohol and/or take dance classes.
• Have openness, curiosity and endless appreciation for all life.
• Make pleasure a priority in your life.
• Most of all cultivate a positive attitude and an inspired environment around you and enjoy the process of becoming healthier every step of the way!

This article is reprinted with permission from the author, Christa Orecchio, CN, HHC, and first appeared in The Whole Journey.