In the world of weight loss, magic pills, fat-blasting machines and empty promises abound. While anyone who tells you that losing weight is effortless and requires no sacrifice on your part might also be trying to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge on the side, sensible, effective weight loss can be done. You can make losing weight as painless and easy as possible with a few tweaks to your lifestyle.

Easy as Pie (bad choice of words…)

Eating well should be convenient. Stock up on healthy foods you enjoy and prepare them as soon as you get home from the store. By washing and cutting up fresh fruits and veggies while you’re unpacking groceries, you give yourself healthy, ready-to-go snacks for the whole week. That way it will be as easy to reach for that piece of fruit as it is to reach for that bag of chips. Don’t feel like you have to force feed yourself foods you don’t like, but try to find ways to make healthy foods enjoyable. Pair raw vegetables like carrots and broccoli with a low fat dip or dressing or blend fresh fruit with fat free milk and yogurt for a fast breakfast smoothie. By eating well you’ll bolster your immune system and feel more energetic too.

You are What you Buy

You’re far less likely to pig out on junk food if you don’t keep it around at home. Shop wisely and try to stock your cupboards with healthy choices. Here’s a tip: most grocery stores are arranged with the healthier, fresher foods on the ends of the store and the packaged, prepared foods in the middle aisles. Try to spend most of your time (and money) in the outer aisles. Do a once over of your cart before you hit the check out line. What’s going to sabotage your diet if you take it home? Avoid the “hot zone” aisles where you know you’ll be tempted to load up on junk food. Planning a menu for the week and making a grocery list before you hit the supermarket is another way to make your life and your diet easier. By sticking to your list you’ll buy only what you’ve decided in advance that you need and cut out impulse buys, and a set menu for the week will keep you from snacking aimlessly.