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Four Methods:Initial StepsFood And DrinkExerciseMental OutlookCommunity Q&A

Some people are probably considering losing weight to become healthier and possibly happier. It's not an easy process, but plenty of people have tried and succeeded at it. Here are some ways you can lose weight both happily and healthily.

Method 1
Initial Steps

  1. 1
    Understand why you're doing this. Are you trying to lose weight to feel healthier? To make the softball team? Impress guys? To get into the wedding dress of your dreams or a bikini for summer? Understanding your motives for wanting to lose weight will give you a better chance at achieving your goals.
  2. 2
    Get rid of unhealthy foods. Things that tempt you like sugary cereals will no longer tempt you if they're in the trash. If you live with roommates or relatives and simply discarding unhealthy food isn't an option, ask them to hide it or put it in a less tempting location.
  3. 3
    Write out a plan. Whether it's an exercise plan or your meal plan for the week to avoid eating unhealthy foods, writing things out is a great way to commit yourself to achieving your weight loss goals.

Method 2
Food And Drink

  1. 1
    Don't starve yourself. Never skip meals, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the meal that starts your metabolism for the day, so the longer you delay breakfast the longer it'll take for your metabolism to start burning fat. Small/light breakfasts are a great way to start your morning because they kick your metabolism into gear without overloading on calories.
  2. 2
    Stock up on healthy foods. On your next trip to the grocery store, pick things like fruits, vegetables, chicken, turkey, fish and whole wheat bread. Low-fat dairy, like yogurt and milk, is another good option as well.
  3. 3
    Order something healthy when eating out. For example, grilled chicken with a side of vegetables is a lot healthier than a burger and fries.
  4. 4
    Drink more water. You should be drinking about eight glasses per day. In addition, choosing water over high calorie drinks like soda can save you several hundred calories per day. It will also help you digest your food better and keep you hydrated. The more water you drink, the less your body stores.
  5. 5
    Chew slowly. When you're eating food, chew slowly and make sure all of your food is finely "mushed." Not only does this help your digestive system, but it makes you feel full. The reason for this is that if the food is un-chewed, it stays chunky through your digestion and builds up in the stomach area.
  6. 6
    Eat slowly. If you actually eat slower, you feel fuller! This is because your brain takes up to 20 minutes to tell your body you ate. So if you try to eat slow, by the time you finish, the message is sent, and you're not eating unnecessary extra servings.
  7. 7
    Cook food at home. If you're cooking your own food, you have total control over what you're putting into your body. You can find healthy recipes for any meal of the day on lots of different websites.

Method 3

  1. 1
    Set up a healthy exercise routine. You will want to set aside a certain amount of time to exercise like 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week.
  2. 2
    Mix up your exercises. Find ways to make it fun. Pop into your roller blades, jump rope, do an exercise video or wake up early and take a jog. You could also take up sport lessons or a team sport.
  3. 3
    Stick to your plan. If you take days off from your exercise routine, it will take that much longer to get back into shape and meet your weight loss goals. Make sure to find the time to exercise.

Method 4
Mental Outlook

  1. 1
    Don't go by what the scale says. You will lose more weight some weeks than others. If you don't lose any weight one week, it does not mean you failed. Look at the overall process rather than a number on a scale. Do you feel healthier? Are you in better shape? Do your clothes feel looser? Stick to your plan and you will eventually achieve your desired results.
  2. 2
    Do it with a friend. If you and a friend are losing weight together, it'll be easier. As a plus, you can talk to them about your experience and eat out at healthy places together.
  3. 3
    Make a reward for meeting a mini-goal. The reward should not be pigging out at a diner or eating chocolate cake! Make it something like going shopping to get new clothes in your new, smaller size. That way, you are motivated to meet your goals.
  4. 4
    Don't give up! If you didn't meet or exceed your goal, that's okay! You are working towards it. Some people meet their goals faster than others and it's perfectly normal.

Community Q&A

Ask a Question


  • Don't eat because you are bored or food looks especially tasty. Only eat when you are hungry.
  • Sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're actually thirsty, so try that first (unless you haven't eaten).
  • Your period makes you bloated, so if you are trying to lose weight and you start your period, and it looks like you haven't lost anything or even gained a little, don't worry. It's just water weight. Once your period has ended, you'll be back on track.
  • Right before you're about to eat something sugary think to yourself, is it really worth it?
  • After you eat, brush your teeth or gargle some mouth wash. This is to keep a fresh clean taste in your mouth, causing you to not eat any further.
  • Don't forget that you'll love the new you!
  • Snacking strategically can actually keep your metabolism revved between meals, meaning you'll burn more fat! Just grab a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts for a healthy snack.
  • It's all about moderation. Don't make yourself skip dessert all the time. Bite-sized portions of foods that you enjoy will make you not feel as deprived.
  • Do not cut your calories intake drastically. This would encourage your body to store up fat in the long run. This is because cutting down the intake of calories sends signal to the body that it needs to store up more fat for survival as the body is not getting the adequate amount of calories.
  • Weigh yourself once a week, in the morning, after you've used the bathroom. You should be losing about 1-3 pounds a week . Anymore than that is unhealthy.
  • If you really do it, it really works
  • You need to have adequate intake of calories to keep a high metabolism and at the same time reduce the amount of calories gradually so that the body will tap into stored fat to produce the required energy.
  • Remember to keep a realistic weight in your mind. Foods that grow under the ground like potatoes and carrots really won't help if you're trying to lose weight. A little junk food here and there isn't so bad either. You should necessarily eat foods you are craving so that when you run into them ahead of time you don't binge eat.
  • Eat green vegetables and citrus fruits. Avoid bread as much as you can.
  • Don't eat for the sake of it, but only when you're hungry.
  • Small lifestyle changes can be more effective than big ones. If you decide one week to give up chocolate, and the next to stop eating fries (and so on) you will be far more likely to stick to it and lose more weight. It could even be something as small as standing rather than sitting on the bus!

Article Info

Categories: Youth Diets and Nutrition

In other languages:

Español: bajar de peso (para chicas), Italiano: Perdere Peso (Per Ragazze), Português: Emagrecer (Para Garotas), Русский: похудеть (для девушек), Deutsch: Gewicht verlieren für Mädchen, Français: perdre du poids (pour les filles)

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