Whether summertime is approaching or you’re making your New Year’s resolution, losing weight is definitely no small task.
And that why I’ve curated a list of great reads and infographics on weight loss (written by myself and others) so you can see the changes you want to see, and know how to get slim efficiently.
I’ve found that a lot of articles basically say the same thing: “eat these things and do these exercises, and you’ll lose weight!” But these tips on weight loss don’t cover everything. They don’t talk about what’s preventing you from losing weight or help you with meal planning.
And having a weight loss plan and starting off with the knowledge you need to make it happen is going to make your time losing weight so much easier and more enjoyable.
So check out these helpful reads and infographic that’ll help you get started!
Worst Foods for Weight Loss
When I first saw this post by Skinny Mom, I wasn’t sure if I’d get any weight loss tips out of it. Yes I know I’m not supposed to eat and drink chips and soda, but what else could they tell me that I didn’t already know?
Well, apparently they had a few things I never thought of. Things like trail mix or rice cakes. Trail mix is high in calories and has a small serving size that almost no one is gonna stick to. And rice cakes? The no fat low-calorie snack? Well, that’s rated high on the glycemic index. The glycemic index tells you how much certain foods affect your blood sugar. So sugar is 100, and rice cakes.. 82. Not so great.
Update: Article is no longer available for reading.
How to Actually Lose Body Fat
Buzzfeed actually gives a great list of ways to lose body fat efficiently. They go into great detail on each of the weight loss tips to give you an understanding of body fat and how you can get rid of it.
And one awesome thing that they cover is how many carbs you should take in a day so your body will burn fat more quickly. Dr. Loften, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, recommends “getting about 30% of your daily calories from carbs. This, btw, this isn’t a “low-carb” diet per se. It’s more of a lower-carb diet.”
Bob Harper – The Skinny Rules
A lot of you may know him as the host of The Biggest Loser, but he’s also written a book called The Skinny Rules
He cuts straight to the point in each of his 20 principles and shows you how to lose the weight. He also included a meal plan and tons of delicious recipes to help you step away from unhealthy processed foods.
And if that’s not enough, he also gives tips on what to stock your fridge with and prepare over the weekend so you have healthy food ready for crazy-no-time-to-cook nights. It really sounds like a great read!
6 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Trying (No Diet or Exercise)
In this post, I go into 6 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Trying (No Diet or Exercise) since I know many of us have a hard time sticking to strict diets and crazy workout routines. And not all of us have the time to go to the gym or have the will to throw out every unhealthy thing at once.
I share ways to stop mindless eating, subtle food swaps, tips for hacking your environment, and even small healthy habit ideas.
Here’s one of my favorite tips from the article: “If you’re eating out, ask for a to-go container when the food arrives (or even before). That way you can put half of it into the container and eat the rest at the restaurant. This is honestly so helpful since restaurant food tends to be huge and high-calorie.”
Lose 10 Pounds in 1 Week
A few months ago, I found this 7 Day Diet Plan to help people lose 10 pounds in a week. I thought that sounded pretty suspicious, but then I checked it out. This person has her weight loss tips down.
She goes into what types of foods you should eat (such as high fiber foods which will help you feel fuller longer), whether you need to lose weight based on your health, how much you should weigh for your height, and of course, the 7 day meal plan.
Read More from HubPages.
How to Walk Off the Pounds
It’s a given that walking is an easy way to lose weight. There’s not a lot of effort that goes into it, and it’s not intimidating like interval training.
But one of the writers from Skinny Mom found a great way to optimize your time walking and help you burn calories more efficiently.
She goes into how it helps you to lose body fat, how to keep a walking schedule, and of course the way you should walk if you want to shed those pounds.
Here’s what she has to say, “Make a commitment to yourself and draw up a schedule for your walks. Some days, it might make more sense for these walks to happen after dinner or during lunch at work, perhaps in the morning before your begin the day. You can also split them up if you’re already juggling a jam-packed day. Make the commitment and keep it because you can’t do any of those other things you have planned if you’re not healthy enough!”
Update: Site and article no longer exists.
14 Habits of Girls Who Are Always Skinny
I grew up in California where so many people seemed to be obsessed with health and weight loss (or at least they were in the areas I lived). And so I write on many of the same habits I’ve seen fit girls have to stay slim.
I go into detail on the ways they stay skinny, and how you can apply these habits yourself.
So for instance, I talk about how they don’t have “off-limit” foods, they weigh themselves weekly instead of daily, and even how chewing more affects their weight.
Read the article, 14 Habits of Girls Who Are Always Skinny here.
20 Healthy Appetite Suppressants for Weight Loss
When thinking of foods and habits you should eat and do during your time of weight loss (or in general), it’s important to think about the ones that will help suppress your appetite. They’re the ones that’ll help you not overeat and keep your weight down.
Another writer from Skinny Mom was able to create an awesome list of appetite-suppressing foods and habits. It’s an easy read and gives great weight loss tips on snacks and actions for losing pounds.
Here are some of the foods and tips she recommends: protein, water, eating slower, not skipping meals, avoiding insulin spikes, and eating at regular intervals.
Update: The site, Skinny Mom, no longer exists.
7 Best Foods for Rapid Weight Loss
I love charts that are going to show me exactly what I need to eat to lose weight. It’s like a cheat sheet to speeding up your metabolism. And whether you’re getting in shape for the summer or it’s your New Year’s resolution, this chart is a great one to go over.
Read more from Eat This, Not That!
16 Snacks That Are Ok to Eat at Night
I sometimes feel a bit scared to eat at night (or at least late at night) because I don’t want that extra weight gain the next day. But it turns out that there are snacks you can make to satisfy your cravings, and still stay on track for fast weight loss.
Here are my favorites from the list:
No-Bake Honey Peanut Butter Cookies: Also made with oats for healthy fiber and chocolate to give you that great chocolate and peanut butter flavor. It’ll pack you with protein and keep the weight gain away.
Frozen Blueberries: If you’re craving something cold, then frozen blueberries are a refreshing snack for the end of the night.
Read more from Live Strong here!
20 Lazy Girl Approved Fitness Hacks
Whether we want to admit it or not (or we just don’t care), we’re all lazy to some degree. But thankfully, some of us lazy people can lose weight too.
So if you don’t want to work out that much or that long, then opt for a more intense and fast workout. This will get your heart rate up and calories burning.
Read more from Popsugar here.
How to Kill Your Sugar Addiction
It’s happened to your friends and it can happen to you… no but in all seriousness, sugar really is addictive. So if you do things like choose seasonal treats over treats you can have anytime of the year (like chocolate), and you keep the portion control in check, your sugar intake should go way down.
Read more from Popsugar’s article here.
20 Foods to Keep You Feeling Full
You know how when you go out to eat at a Chinese buffet and you eat so much that you’re like, “Ugh… I can’t eat anymore, I’m so stuffe- oh! Egg roll!” Seriously, why do we get hungry so fast after eating Chinese?
But putting that aside, it’s great if you can find foods, like avocados with whole wheat toast or drinks like mint tea that might help you stay feeling full.
Read the rest of Popsugar’s article here.
14 Habits of Women Who Always Stay Fit
Most of us want to know what those habits are that keep those pretty women staying fit… because we’d like a cheatsheet ourselves. No sense in hiding all the secrets.
Indulge in moderation instead of cutting it all out. If you end up cutting it all out, you’ll feel miserable, binge, feel bad about binding, and repeat.
Don’t focus on a huge goal, just the goal of being active. So no you don’t have to run a few miles, but taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood should be just fine.
Update: Website and page are no longer available for reading.
101 Ways to Lose a Pound
This big list may seem intimidating, but it’s honestly an easy rundown on things you can pick and choose from so you can lose a pound.
So for instance, for some fast weight loss, you can take a 90 minute pilates class, do a 60-minute cycling session, or try 50 minutes of hula hooping.
Update: Original article is no longer there.
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Getting Fit
More lazy girl guides? Heck yes! So you know how I talked about getting burned out fast and then giving up and then repeating the same cycle over and over again? Well when you work out, you need to set reasonable goals for yourself.
Don’t tell yourself that you’ll lose 10 pounds in a week. If you don’t succeed in doing it, you’ll feel discouraged and give up. So just give yourself something smaller so that if you do go past your goal, you’ll feel encouraged and keep going.
Update: The article has been removed.
16 Helpful Charts That Teach You How to Actually Work Out
Thank you Buzzfeed for your accumulation of awesome charts. Seriously, this is super helpful. There are charts on this list that’ll help you know how to have...
- Proper form when working out so that you don’t mess over your back or other parts of your body.
- How to do a real push up so you can get the most out of it.
- Understanding kettlebells, what they can do for you, and how to use them. They may look intimidating, but Buzzfeed’s found a great infographic to help you out with that.
Read the rest of Buzzfeed’s article here.
18 Youtube Channels That’ll Help You Get in Shape from Your Living Room
I’m a better visual learner, so if I’m reading a magazine on how to do an exercise, it’s gonna go right over my head. So Buzzfeed’s list of awesome youtube channels to watch for getting in shape is just right for me (and plenty of you out there).
They have Youtube channels like POPSUGAR Fitness, Turbulence Training, and Live Sonima.
Check out the rest of the Youtube fitness channels here!
21 Creative Ways to Become a Morning Exerciser
Want to work out in the morning because you know that when the afternoon rolls around, you won’t feel up to it? Awesome, well here are some great tricks for you, and especially if you like sleeping in!
- Place your phone on the other side of the room. You now have to get up in order to turn it off which ends up making you wake up even more.
- Make it a date or schedule a time to go with a friend so that you end up making sure that you get to the gym in the morning.
Read more from Buzzfeed here!
The Only 12 Exercises You Need to Know to Get in Shape
Want a fast and simple guide for finding the best exercises to get your body in shape? Well Buzzfeed has a short but great list of them. They’ll teach you how to properly do exercises like pushups, planks, and a glute bridge.
Check out the rest of their exercises here!
Rules for a Flat Belly
This awesome chart shows what foods you should eat and actions you should do if you want a flat stomach. Just make sure to do your own research to make sure you’re getting the right advice!
Update: The page with infographic no longer exists.
5 Ways to Magically Turn Carbs Into Protein
Eating healthy gets easier when you find the right ingredients and snacks that don’t make you feel like you’re missing out. That’s one of the tricks to losing weight and Cosmopolitan gives some awesome tips on doing just that. Here are a few of them:
- “Butter” your toast with avocado: I’ve done this plenty of times and it tastes so good! It’s easy and more filling than just putting butter on your toast.
- Use a full-fat dressings: Taking in healthy fats from things like olive oil (which you can find in vinaigrettes) is so much better for your body. So stay away from these low-fat dressings!
Update: Original page is deleted.
7 Five-Minute Dinners Nutritionists Eat
If you wanna know what a nutritionist eats and you also want quick dinner ideas that are healthy, then this is the list for you! It’s a nice cheatsheet for those evenings when you’re way too busy but still want to be healthy.
Check out the recipes on Women’s Health!
10 Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals in One Hour
Prepping for meals on a busy week is the best thing you can do to ensure that you don’t end up in the drive through lane at McDonald’s. It really is great to get things finished so you can relax and eat healthy every single night.
You can get the healthy recipes here!
Portion Control
I really appreciate this list of ways to do portion control so you don’t overeat or have to measure everything out (because who has time for that?).
Update: Article no longer exists on ELLE.
12 Foods to Help You Detox Naturally
I originally shared this article some years ago, but after knowing more about weight loss and nutrition, I can’t honestly say that detoxing foods help you lose weight.
Update Article has been removed from LIVESTRONG.
What to Eat Before & After Doing Steady State Cardio
Protein and good fats are everything (well almost) when it comes to working out. They provide you with the right kind of calories you need to workout and build muscle.
Also, Buzzfeed provides a list of ways you can start eating healthy meals for specific types of workouts. So for instance..
If you’re a weightlifter or do short high intensity workouts, you’ll want to eat less carbs and more protein and fats.
But they also go into the simple facts of how and when you should eat if you want to burn those calories and be healthy.
So if you eat small before a workout you won’t be working out on a heavy stomach. And you should make sure to eat an hour before you workout so that you can give your body time to digest the food.
Read more from Buzzfeed here!
21 High-Protein Snacks To Eat When You’re Trying To Be Healthy
Snacks are great, and if you want to snack and not gain weight, then this list is full of awesome recipes you can make to do just that. So instead of a bag of “healthy” (*cough* deep fried *cough*) veggie chips, you can make yourself things like Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Seed Pudding, Apple Sandwiches with Almond Butter and Granola, or High Protein Fruit Dip with Sliced Apples.
Check out the rest of the healthy snacks here!
25 Ways to Eat Vegetables and Actually Like Them
Some of us like to eat fruits and veggies, and some of us don’t. And if you’re in the ladder group, then here are some hacks you can try to make it more enjoyable!
- You can toss some spinach into a non-green smoothie and you’ll never know it was there. Seriously, I’ve done this and couldn’t taste a thing.
- Or use lettuce for a wrap instead of an actual wrap. I’ve also done this before and I could only taste the yummy filling, the lettuce didn’t come through at all.
Check out more easy healthy recipes here!
21 Healthyish Recipes for People Who Can’t Live Without Bacon
If I can stick to eating healthy (or healthyish) and still eat bacon, then that’s awesome. And these recipes like Loaded Bacon Sweet Potato Skins, Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast Bites, and Zucchini Noodle Carbonara all look so good!
Check out their awesome bacon recipes here!
15 Slow Cooker Recipes That Are Actually Healthy
Slow cooked meals are the best, and these recipes keep you eating healthy but allow you to be a bit lazy as well! Also, their recipes like Hawaiian Pork Burrito Bowls, Chicken Fajitas, and Black Bean, Butternut Squash, and Quinoa Chilli look mouthwatering!
Take a look at the rest of their healthy slow cooker recipes here!
Best Teas to Drink for Weight Loss
Make sure to do your own research before stocking up on certain teas! Some teas can help you lose weight (like green tea), but it’s been shown in studies to not be a significant amount.
Update: Page with infographic is no longer available.
Fruit and Herb Flavored Water
I really appreciate this infographic on how to make infused water drinks and how they’ll help your body. And out of all of them, I think this one is the best:
All Citrus Flavored Water: Not shown in the infographic above, this infused water is packed with Vitamin C which can be helpful for weight loss .
Update: Site no longer exists.
Infused Water Recipes for Clear Skin and Weight Loss
More easy and healthy infused weight loss drinks? Heck yes! Also, they just look so darn pretty, so I knew I had to share. It really is a fun way to lose weight while also staying hydrated throughout the day!
Check out this recipe and other weight loss drinks here!
Drink Your Way to Weight Loss
This is another one I shared many years ago, but it’s very important to do your own research before assuming any of these will help you lose weight.
Update: Site can’t be reached.
Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Weight Loss
Smoothies are so tasty, and especially on a hot day. But I would personally suggest the…
Blueberry Smoothie: Packed with antioxidants for weight loss and fighting stress (stress can also cause weight gain), this blueberry smoothie is a great option to have when looking for something a bit more hearty and delicious.
Update: Page no longer exists on site.
10 Healthy Smoothies for Weight Loss
This definitely won’t be the last smoothie option for you when looking through this list. Smoothies are just a great way to get healthy and fill yourself up (so you’re not eating the bad stuff).
Update: The site, Crazy and Easy, is no longer available.
12 Healthy Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes
This list of weight loss drinks is great, and I’m pretty sure my favorite is…
Green Mango Smoothie: Now if you’re a bit timid about putting spinach in your smoothie, then don’t worry, you won’t taste it. It might feel a bit strange to be drinking something green, but it’s so worth it when it’s helping you lose a ton of weight!
Check out the recipes by Beauty Epic here!
Top 10 Weight Loss Smoothies
More smoothies! I told you it wouldn’t be the last. Seriously, smoothies are the best which is why I listed so many of them as great weight loss drinks. And this one is especially awesome!
Pineapple, Banana, Coconut, Turmeric, and Chia Seed Smoothie: Now that might be a bit of a long name, but it’s honestly an amazing drink. There are so much nutrients packed into one smoothie, making it a great option!
Check out the rest of the weight loss drinks here!
Fat Flush Detox Drink
If you want a simple way to lose weight and stay refreshed, then this green tea, mint, and lime infused water is perfect for working into your daily routine. Maybe batch make a lot of it at beginning of each morning and enjoy it throughout the day?
Take a look at the recipe by Budget Savvy Diva here!
How to Make the Perfect Skinny Smoothie
Now this is an awesome infographic to show you how to make an easy weight loss smoothie. It breaks it down and shows you the best ingredients to up your protein intake and boost your health. I think it’s a win.
Read more from Skinny Ms. here!
The Science of Weight Loss
This graph is packed with awesome information that shows you how to live healthy, how to measure your progress, and how to figure out what’s right for you. It even goes into the best weight loss programs and how successful they are. So if you’re curious about what might work for you, then this is definitely something to check out.
Oh and you know what else is great about this infographic? It shows how you can spot a weight loss program scam or know if it’s just hype. That’s pretty helpful.
Eat This, Not That for Breakfast
That was some pretty great info in the last graph, but actually knowing what your healthier food options are is a huge help too. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so check out these healthy meals to start your day off right.
10 Superfoods That Burn Belly Fat
This graph is great because it shows you the snacks and foods you can incorporate into your meals to start feeling better and see results. Mix, combine, and add as a side; this is some helpful food for thought (pun definitely intended).
Update: Fitness Republic is no longer there.
Flat Belly Made Easier
Now I like this one a lot because it goes into the details of what benefits you should expect from eating a certain food, drinking a certain drink, or doing a certain action. It’s kind of fun just knowing how I’m benefiting myself when I do these things.
Update: Fitness Republic is no available.
Metabolism Booster Cheat Sheet
I’m all about knowing how I can speed up my metabolism, because that’s probably the biggest key to losing weight. So many of these healthy lifestyle changes play a factor in boosting your metabolism. And when you’re given a rundown on how to do it, then you can put it into action!
Update: Page and site no longer exists.
How Much Exercise Should You Do?
Now I’m pretty sure that we all know how we shouldn’t over exercise at first because we’ll get burned out. But how much exercise is good for you as an individual? How can you know what’s too much and what’s too little? What type of exercises can you do to meet your goal? Oh yeah, and what are the benefits?
This infographic has it all written down for you!
Update: Page is gone.
10 Exercises You Can Try in Your Bed
Now we all want to workout and look great, but not all of us have the motivation. So here’s a fun little graph that shows you how to get a great workout in bed. It’s honestly great for people who are a bit busy, a bit lazy, or somewhere in between.
Update: Site is gone.
3-Minute Workout
Want to get in shape but don’t have the time (or at least not that much)? Great, then this one is for you! In 3 minutes, you can be one day closer to having more toned arms.
Just put on a 3-minute song to make it more fun, and you’re all set!
Read more from Buzzfeed here.
How to Do an Exercise Correctly
The whole point of exercising is to get healthy and be mobile later on in life when you’re older. But if you’re hard on your body, then there won’t be much of a future for you to stay active.
You may not feel it now or soon, but in the future, it won’t feel so great. And that’s why it’s so important that you learn how to have proper posture and form when exercising so that when it is later in life, you’ll still be able to stay in shape.
Update: Page with infographic is not there anymore.
The Only 15 Exercises You Need to Get in Shape Right Now
Buzzfeed made an awesome infographic if you’re looking to get an all around awesome workout for when you’re at home. It’s simple to follow and very handy to save and keep around. Learn some of them, make a routine, and you’ll start to see results soon!
Check out the exercises here!
8-Minute Abs
If you have a bit of time to dedicate to working out in the morning or evening, then these 8-minute ab exercises are perfect for you!
It’s not a huge time commitment, it’s not too intense, and it’s something you can easily work in at different points of the day.
Update: Page isn’t there anymore, but site still exists.
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.
Eating, at least 6 vegetables and 2 fruits, a day, really helps me. I also, drink plenty of water. Your info was very helpful. Thanks!!!
So glad to hear!
Hi,
Great article. Avoiding Oil and Dairy works for me very well.
Great read.
Thank you Alison! 🙂
Thank you very much for this wonderful information.
You’re very welcome. 🙂