My best recomendation is just to eat healthier. Some simple ways to do this (or at least how I do it) are when going out to eat many restaurants have a portion of the menu that has healther options. You can also ask for your foods without cheese, less salt, butter on the side, substute veggies for your fries, drink water instead of other drinks (this is also cheaper), eat foods you know are healthier and don't be afraid to take home left-overs (even the drinks). Also know that Macaroni Grill is the worst restaurant (NOTHING is healthy there, not even the marinara)
At home the easiest thing to do is just not to keep junk food in your home, if it is not there you can't eat it. Also if you crave junk food, get the healthier ones (baked chips, saltine crackers). When you buy, if you buy, frozen dinners buy the dinners such as Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones. One of the things I can not emphasise enough is to read the nutrition facts! Calories matter, but don't forget about the fats and especailly saturated fat (sodium and sugar as well)! Know how much you are supposed to have for a 2000 calorie diet (or 1500 depending).
Don't let these fool you....
1.
organic does NOT mean it is healthier
2.
name brands are NOT always better
3. just because it
seems healthy does not mean it is
General tips (some of my favorites)
1.Soup (low sodium)
2. Walk (even for just 20-30 min. a day will help)
3. Other simple exercise (dance, sit-ups to music)
4. Eat small snacks throughout the day (plus the three main meals, just smaller). For example you have breakfast then a few hours later (between breakfast and lunch) have some carrots, crackers, 100 calories snack pack, etc...
5. Look up the nutrition facts for restaurants and fast food online before you go there (although avoiding fast food altoghether would be ideal)
6. Morning Star Products (they are amazing substitutes for meat and they taste just like them, except the bacon)!
7. Skim, no fat, and low fat milk (I use these in my cooking and flavored drinks such as hot chocolate)
8. less mayonnaise, use ketchup or mustard instead (and less ranch)
Other
1. No diet sodas (the chemicals in them actually make you
gain weight!)
2. Substitute foods don't elimiate them
3. Don't avoid all fats there are some that you need such as omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9 (many can be found in fish)
4. eat breakfast
5. Celery (loose calories eating it)
6. Gum (if you want to eat, but are not hungary)
One last impotant thing is if you start a diet, or change what you are normally doing, ease yourself into it. Good luck, and remember it is not about being skinnier, it is about being healthier. I hope this helps. ^_^