How often do you look in the mirror, stare at your reflection and fervently wish that there was some sort of magic powder or pill you could use to instantly shift your body to become the size and shape you’ve always dreamed it could be? How often do you think “I could stand to lose a pound or two.” How often are these wishes and thoughts paired with wishes for more energy for exercising, more time for cooking, more desire to eat healthy foods and less cravings for salty and fatty junk you can get at a fast food restaurant? Just about every person has wished for these things. Even if you like your current weight, you have probably wished to weigh less at least once in your life. If you would like to start off on the right track, here are some weight loss tips you can use.

Only drink water. It almost seems too simple, but one of the best ways to drastically cut down on how many calories you consume is to simply cut out all of the drinks like fruit juices, energy drinks and soda you drink each day. Cold water is the best to drink. Water does not have any calories. Your overall level of health is much improved when you drink water (and it keeps you properly hydrated). Even if you just delete two servings of soda each day you will be cutting out at least two hundred calories (or more, depending on the brand and type of soda you drink). Not only is water good for you and helpful for cutting down on your calorie intake, it helps you decrease the amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup you consume (as well as other ingredients and chemicals that don’t help your health).

Start paying attention to your food’s labels. You might think that this is a time waster or too much of a hassle but believe us when we tell you that ingredients do matter. You want to steer clear of things like high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Make trans fats your enemy. Make sure that the foods you buy at the store don’t contain any of these ingredients. Substitute new brands that are healthier than the brands you are used to using. You probably won’t notice a huge difference right away but eventually you’ll see that your body reacts better to foods that are healthier.

Look for a distraction when you are working out. Try listening to music or watching television if you exercise at home. Read a book while you ride a stationary bicycle. Distracting yourself will keep your mind off of the work your body is doing. If you have something else to occupy your mind, you are more likely to keep doing your workouts. Distractions also keep you from being bored. If you get bored during your workout you are more likely to slack off and then you won’t see the results that you were hoping to see.

Weight loss is something that every person ponders at least once in his or her life. The trick to completing a successful weight loss campaign is to approach it with the right attitude and enough inspiration to keep you going. When you stay positive and find the good in things you are more likely to stick with what you are doing and complete your task and get to your goal weight!