15 Ways to Lose Pounds in a Healthy Way

Drink Up

According to Prevention.com, people who guzzled water throughout the day lost more weight than those who didn't. Aim for 8 glasses of water a day, even more if you're working out.

Go Halfsies

Divide your normal portion in two, and save the rest for later. If you're eating out, split an entree with a friend, or have the server box half of it it up. You will probably feel full on less food than you'd think.

Eat Clean

Make a point to eat clean, fresh and healthy food rather than packaged food. In doing so, you'll cut out the additives that packaged food contains. The next time you go grocery shopping, shop the outer perimeter of the store where the fresh food is located, rather than the inside aisles

Fidget More Often

Studies show that fidgety types burn significantly more calories than their stationary counterparts. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, stretch out your legs at your desk, or cross and uncross your legs every once in awhile. Even playing with your hair can burn calories.

Take Walking Breaks

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Schedule walking breaks in your day. It could be as simple as walking around for two minutes every half hour, or five minutes every hour. At the end of the day, those walking breaks will add up, leading to calorie loss.

Eat at Home

According to Prevention, meals eaten away from home have 134 more calories, on average. By eating dinner at home, and packing lunches for work and school, you will know exactly how your food is prepared, and what you're feeding your body.

Train for Something

Whether it's a one mile fun run, a 5K, a triathlon, or a marathon, you will be more determined to workout when you've set goals. If you're new to exercise, or just getting back into it, try the couch to 5K running plan to help you get started.

Stop Drinking Your Calories

Did you know that supersize soft drinks can contain up to 500 calories? That's one-third, or a little less, of your day's worth of calories- and don't think you can get away with drinking diet. The artificial sweeteners may actually make you more bloated, helping you to gain even more weight. Juice isn't much better because of its high sugar content, and we all know that alcohol packs on the pounds.

Work Standing Up

Over the course of one day, you'll burn 30 percent more calories standing than you would sitting. If your office allows it, raise your desk so that you can work standing up. If that isn't a possibility, try a balance ball chair and take frequent walking breaks.

Stop Dieting

Even Oprah's said it- diets don't work. Yo-yo dieters tend to get fatter, rather than thinner. Instead of following a fad diet, make a lifestyle change, incorporating healthy foods and regular exercise into your routine.

Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It revs up your metabolism and prepares you for the day ahead. If you're out of breakfast ideas, try this healthy recipe that'll keep you full until lunch:

Eat More Yogurt

A recent study revealed the foods most identified with maintaining a healthy weight, and yogurt ranked among the best. For an extra punch of protein, eat 6 oz. of Greek yogurt (one container), which contains around 14 grams of protein.

Meditate

Finding some alone time to pray, practice yoga, or meditate can do wonders for your mind and body. Stress can sabotage your diet goals, and meditation will remind you of your good intentions.

Brush and Floss

This is good for more than oral hygiene. Brush your teeth right after you eat to avoid a temptation just an hour or two later. Why would you want to ruin that minty fresh breath?

Learn to Knit

Or play guitar, or sew,or reading . Anything that keeps your hands and mind busy will keep your mind off of food.