Losing weight is never easy. From changing up your diet to adding in exercise, it can require making swaps and sacrifices. And one area that tends to be troublesome when it comes to ditching weight is the belly. (Here are 9 foods to avoid if you want to lose belly fat.) That fat that accumulates there, also known as visceral fat, may be stubborn—but not impossible to lose.

And these seven women all successfully lost belly fat and weight naturally. Here are 12 of their tips to help you, too.

“PLAN! Always have a plan. Since the very start of my journey every Sunday I still sit down and plan all my dinners for the week with my shopping list. I even pre-track meals so I know how many points I have to work with before dinner. If we are having a night of eating out I check out the menu before I go and plan my meal out. I’m not afraid to bring my own items to the restaurant.”

“PREP! I stock my fridge and pantry with foods that I know will fuel and fill my body. I try to not let myself get too hungry, but I’m a busy mom and sometimes I don’t listen to my hunger queues and before I know it I’m starving. By keeping items on hand that I know fit my budget helps to not binge.”

“SWAP! I have learned to take the foods I enjoy and love and ‘tweak’ the recipe to make sure it fits my plan for the day. Some of this includes swapping out pre-made pizza dough for 2-ingredient dough (equal parts self rising flour with 0% plain Greek yogurt) Using whole grains bread over white. Chickpea pasta over regular pastas.”

– Tuesday Gray

“Cut out fast food, fried food, and alcohol. Remember, nutrition is key. And we can’t outwork a bad diet.”

“Drink a minimum of 1 gallon a day. The more the better!”

“Be cautious of dressing and sauces. They carry more calories and fats than you think. Go for sugar-free options.”

“Make sure you workout 4 times a week, incorporating cardio and core.”

– Laura Guzman

“My #1 tip is substituting processed carbs/high sugar foods with more protein-enriched whole foods. If I ever got a craving for cake (high calorie, high sugar, high fat), I’d sub it with a homemade protein pancake. It was richer in nutrition, lower in sugar/fat/cals, and it satisfied my cravings for cake.” – Connie Chan

“My best tip for losing belly fat is to be in a consistent calorie deficit! You don’t even have to exercise if you don’t want to. But being in a calorie deficit will shed belly fat!” – Jasmine May

“My number one tip would be to not be afraid of fruit! I spent years avoiding fruit because it was programmed in my brain as being bad for me and to avoid it because of the sugar and carbs. It’s nature’s candy and delicious! Don’t be afraid of it, have it and enjoy it at least twice a day!” – Jennifer Douglas6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

“Eat your vegetables. In my personal experience, I ate the vegetables on my plate first. Having more nutrient-dense foods (such as having veggies or mixed green salads with lunch & dinner) really helped me feel more satisfied. It’s super easy to eat a family-size bag of cheese puffs, but really difficult to eat 5 helpings of broccoli.” – Chloe Campos

“My #1 best tip to successfully lose belly fat is: so long soda! I would realize that after drinking sodas, my stomach would bloat like nobody’s business. Plus, it was loaded with sugar. Now, I mostly drink water, tea, or non-carbonated drinks.” – Christina Spencer

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Weight loss without exercise may seem impossible, but Raven-Symone proves nothing is such. Her 40-pound weight loss has stunned followers, especially when she claims she doesn’t exercise. The actress and former The View host stopped by the show for their 25th season celebration to discuss life now and the remarkable weight loss journey that has fans buzzing.

Last year Raven said that she wanted to focus on her health. When asked what made her want to change, Raven said, “What made me want to change was her,” gesturing to her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday. “I want to be here for her as long as I can, and I found out some numbers at the doctor that were not pleasant for someone in my age bracket or any age bracket, to be honest with you.”

Raven-Symone contributes the support and guidance of her wife for her successful weight loss. Raven nixes all sugars from her diet, eats keto-friendly whole foods, and practices intermittent and extended fasting. The lifestyle changes that Raven has incorporated have contributed to her 40-pound weight loss, taking her from 210 pounds down to 170. Raven solely credits her weight loss to dietary changes and zero exercises—although she does regularly take walks.

RELATED: 16 Celebs Share How They Make Oatmeal

So, what does cutting sugar from one’s diet include? Sugar is addictive, and it affects the brain and body in many unhealthy ways. Simple carbohydrates from foods such as candy and soda turn into glucose in your bloodstream, contributing to the “sugar high” most people experience after consuming such foods. Starchy foods such as bread, white rice, pasta, and french fries contain complex carbs that turn into simple sugars. These foods can make your blood sugar levels surge and crash, just like the sugar from a candy bar.

Sugar is associated with weight gain, fatigue, and diabetes, among many other health problems. Most of us take snacking very seriously, so here are some ways you can snack smarter while limiting the sugar in your diet:

Keep it fresh by substituting sugary sweets for the natural sugars found in berries and other organic fruits. Try tossing diced strawberries into a cup of low-sugar yogurt or oatmeal for a satisfying snack. Craving cookies? Raven says she still eats them but chooses homemade keto cookies rather than sugary processed ones.

Here are 5 Specific Steps To Stop Sugar Cravings, According to a Brain Doctor.

Sugary foods taste sweet on your tongue, so your tastebuds must be retrained not to crave those sweet sensations. Try skipping dessert or lessening the amount of sugar you mix into your coffee or tea. Small changes over time can add up to long-term weight-loss results in the future.

Still curious? This Is What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Soda For 100 Days.

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that help support a healthy heart. Reach for 70 percent cacao content or higher to slay your sweet tooth without sabotaging your health. Keep in mind that dark chocolate is calorie-dense, so nibble in moderation.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Want to know more about this sweet treat? Here’s What Happens When You Eat Dark Chocolate.

Sometimes sugar cravings may just be your body’s way of letting you know it’s dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ward off unnecessary cravings. Add a slice of fresh lemon, lime, or orange for a refreshing flavor that may aid in digestion and provide additional health benefits.

Find out more about the Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Lemon Water.

Extreme sugar cravings or dizziness may signify something more serious such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies such as magnesium, or hypoglycemia. See your healthcare provider to determine whether your blood sugar levels are imbalanced or if there are other underlying issues.

Managing your sugar intake could help aid in weight loss and provide you with more energy. Maintaining a healthy weight increases your quality of life and may prevent health issues in the future. Raven-Symone is an excellent example of what eliminating sugar and making healthier lifestyle choices can do. Her zest for life, successful career, and ambition make it hard to deny that she can achieve anything when she puts her mind to something.

READ MORE: 7 Mind-Blowing Celeb Weight Loss Transformations

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Although losing weight can be a challenge, many people find that the toughest aspect of weight loss is preventing those pounds from creeping back. According to one meta-analysis, more than half of lost weight is regained within two years, and by five years, that number zooms up to 80%.

So, what are those who are successful in keeping the weight off doing right? A new study in the journal Obesity reveals their top strategies.

Researchers surveyed more than 6,000 participants in a weight-loss program WW who had lost more than 50 pounds and kept it off for over three years. Answering questions about their motivations and tactics, these were the most cited tips. Keep reading to find out how to keep those extra pounds off, then check out Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians.

Perseverance was the biggest theme in the survey responses, and also a key method for dealing with inevitable setbacks, according to lead researcher Suzanne Phelan, PhD, in the department of kinesiology and public health at California Polytechnic State University. By having a long-term view, it was much easier to restart quickly instead of giving up the effort to maintain control over consumption levels, she says.

For nearly everyone who was successful in maintaining their weight loss, tracking food had become a daily habit, even after hitting their “goal weight.” One maintainer advised, “You have to get up every day and make a choice to track and eat right. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Another notable strategy is not to think about weight at all as a primary motivator. Weight loss maintainers noted that the most important changes were “non-scale victories” like reduced pain, better control of chronic medical conditions, feeling a greater sense of confidence as well as more ease in their bodies, and having more consistent energy and lighter moods.

As one maintainer noted, “Think of changing your eating habits as part of creating a healthy lifestyle.” That means weight loss comes as a result, or even a side effect, of that shift instead of being the main focus in itself. That also helps you pivot toward other healthy changes that have been shown to improve weight loss maintenance, like daily activity, quality sleep, and reduced stress.

For more on weight loss, check out 26 Worst Belly Fat Myths, According to Experts.

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Finally, 2022 is upon us. If you’re looking to shed some pounds or get healthier this next year, you’re certainly not alone.

For those embarking on a weight loss journey this year, you may need some helpful inspiration to get you started. That’s why we’ve collected 13 different pieces of advice from people who have successfully been down the tough road of weight loss.

Continue reading for some helpful weight loss tips, and for more healthy weight loss help, make sure to check out 15 Weight Loss Tips That Are Evidence-Based.

“If you’re hesitant, that means you’re ready for a change. It’s okay to be nervous. Take that leap. The day you start is the day your life will change forever. When you look back 11 months from this day, you will be so proud that you started and did not give up.”

–Amma Okrakru, who lost 72 pounds using WW (formerly Weight Watchers)

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“WW is a tool to help you live a balanced healthy lifestyle. It’s not all or nothing. You can and should eat what you like! If this is going to be the way you live the rest of your life, you’ve got to find a happy medium where you are eating foods you enjoy and moving in ways that feel good to you! Have patience – this is not a race and there isn’t an endgame – this is about changing your mindset forever.”

–Jenni Crutcher, who lost 27 pounds with WW

“Take it one day at a time. I know that sounds really simple, but on my first day, I felt so overwhelmed about how long it would take to hit my goal or to ‘get healthy’ but I then realized I didn’t have to worry about the future, I just had to worry about today. And just focusing on my meals and exercise for that day made it easier to do it that day, and the next day, and the day after, and the journey became less daunting.”

–Meghan Fernandes, who lost 58.4 pounds with WW

“One key weight loss tip that helps me stay on track is refraining from eating meat, which also greatly improved my gout. I am now more active, going for walks, and doing yoga for exercise.”

–Paul Kirchubel, who lost over 200 pounds with Lose It!

“My main tip is to stick with something that is realistic for you. Cutting out something entirely is not always realistic and you could end up binge eating afterwards.”

–Zoey Rowe, who lost 130 pounds with Lose It!

“Becoming more active was key for me, and now I feel physically much better and more confident. Since I began weight training, I hits my protein goals every day to help build muscle along with fat loss.”

–Nestor Rene Williams, who lost 92 pounds with Lose It!

RELATED: 20 Ways to Get 20 Grams of Protein at Every Meal

“I’ve been using a program from a company called MetPro. They help you hack your metabolism. There are no pills or shakes or anything. I’ve never eaten healthier. I’m a very picky eater. I always joke that I have the palette of a 10-year old boy at a theme park. I eat five times a day (three meals and two smaller snacks). I’ve learned to eat in a way that’s sustainable. I think that’s the biggest change.”

-Tom O’Keefe, who lost 50 pounds this year with MetPro.

“I first lost weight by using a weight loss meal delivery service to get some weight off quickly and then started heavy lifting 4 days per week to build muscle.  I worked with a trainer over Skype and set up a gym in my garage so I could work out without having to drop my kids off at a child watch.  So, my number 1 tip is just start and stop putting it off!

–Maggie Sutherland, who lost 35 pounds

“My #1 tip for lasting, sustainable weight loss has always been taking the focus away from weight loss and more on muscle growth. Before I lost 60 pounds, I was stuck on the yo-yo cycle of “eating less, exercising more” in the hopes I would see the number on the scale drop. But, I had no idea what this does to sabotage your metabolic rate. It was only once I started focusing on building muscle (and everything that came along with it—like eating enough calories and protein, consistently strength training, and getting adequate sleep) that I started watching the fat and weight melt off with ease.”

–Larissa Nicole, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who lost over 60 pounds

“In hindsight, I think the number one tip is to do it slowly. Developing good habits that can last a lifetime rather than rush and starve yourself and gain it right back. Two pounds per month rather than two pounds per week.”

–Leslie Saul, who lost 22 pounds

“I lost weight by learning thought management techniques to overcome emotional eating. I did this with the help of a life coach who inspired me to go on to become a life coach myself.”

–Natalie Fayman, CPC, who lost 85 pounds 

“8 years ago, I read up on low carb diets and about 4 years ago discovered intermittent fasting. I also started interval training and running regularly. At this point, I was 30 pounds overweight. Through the low carb/intermittent fasting combination, I lost all the weight and have kept it off.”

–Jonathan Bennet, certified wellness coach who lost over 30 pounds

“My number one tip is to cut sugar out of your diet. Sugar was the culprit behind my food cravings. Once I cut it out, the cravings were gone.”

-Gregory Cole, who has lost 100 pounds

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Today I’d like to share the most helpful and uplifting quotes on feeling lost.

Timeless thoughts that will help you to stay strong through tough times and to find your way back to yourself and to your path and journey in life.

But before we get to that here’s two things that have helped me to remember when I’ve felt lost:

You are not alone in this.

If you feel lost then that doesn’t mean you’re alone in that. We all feel that way sometimes. It’s just a natural part of life and the human experience.

It’s temporary. 

Yes, it may sometimes feel like that feeling of being lost is something you’ll be stuck in for the rest of your life. 

But in my experience that feeling will be replaced with an idea of what to do or maybe a step forward that you find you can take. If you keep your focus on figuring things out and on trying to move forward. 

I have found that journaling about my thoughts and feelings of feeling lost, talking to someone close to me about my challenge to get some helpful input and to read about what others have done when they’ve been lost have been very helpful when I’ve felt lost.

And if you want more help when you’re facing a challenge in life have a look at this post filled with quotes on how to handle toxic and difficult people and this one that that is focused on the power of grit.

Feeling Lost Quotes to Help You to Understand and Find Yourself

“It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.”’
Dalai Lama

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
Henry Ford

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.”
Alan Alda

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
Dolly Parton

“To get lost is to learn the way.”
African proverb

“The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.”
Roy T. Bennett

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
Maya Angelou

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb.”
Nelson Mandela

“It is those who get lost, who find the new ways.”
Nils Kjaer

“The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.”’
Maimonides

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”
Henry David Thoreau

“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
Masaru Emoto

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”
Nora Robert

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
Gordon Eadie

“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”
Chinua Achebe

“Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.”
Mark Twain

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
Carl Jung

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Anaïs Nin

“Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.”
Zig Ziglar

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
Japenese Proverb

“Dream, struggle, create, prevail. Be daring. Be brave. Be loving. Be compassionate. Be strong. Be brilliant. Be beautiful.”’
Caterina Fake

“Never regret anything you have done with a sincere affection; nothing is lost that is born of the heart.”
Basil Rathbone

“The soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere.”
Michel de Montaigne

“Feeling lost, crazy and desperate belongs to a good life as much as optimism, certainty and reason.”
Alain De Botton

“Remember: the time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself. Life’s cruelest irony.”
Douglas Coupland

“The best things in life are often the ones hardest to get. Yet they are also the ones that are the easiest to find, usually right in front of your face.”
Mark Donaldson

“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
Zig Ziglar

“The intangible represents the real power of the universe. It is the seed of the tangible.”
Bruce Lee

“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
Vivian Greene

“Be patient with all that is unresolved within your heart, and try to love the questions.”
Rainer Maria Rilke

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things could fall together.”
Marilyn Monroe

“Basically, I was so worried about what everyone else was thinking, I forgot about what I was thinking.”
Lisa M. Cronkhit

“Not all who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

“Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.”
John Gay

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

“Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.”
Paulo Coelho

“In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost.”
Dante Alighieri

“Stand still. The trees ahead and bush beside you are not lost.”
Albert Einstein

“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.”
Charles Xavier (X-Men)

“To be lost is as legitimate a part of your process as being found.”
Alex Ebert

“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.”
Robin Williams

“One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.”
Aristotle

“When you finally accept that it’s OK not to have answers and it’s OK not to be perfect, you realize that feeling confused is a normal part of what it is to be a human being.”
Winona Ryder

“When you feel things deeply and you think about things a lot and you think about how you feel, you learn a lot about yourself.”
Fiona Apple

“Just keep going like crazy and look back when it’s over. Otherwise, you just get confused.”
Cliff Burton

“No matter how much light I carry within me, there will always be times of feeling lost, being confused, seeking direction. It is the way of the human heart.”
Joyce Rupp

“Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. Every single circumstance of your life can change.”
Ritu Ghatourey

“You really have to look inside yourself and find your own inner strength, and say, ‘I’m proud of what I am and who I am.’ “
Mariah Carey

“Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble. You yourself make the waves in your mind. If you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm. This mind is called big mind.”
Shunryu Suzuki

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
Plato

“Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on.”
Henry Rollins

“Be thankful for all things in life. Even for the bad things. Sometimes the worst situations in life turn out to be the best things that ever happened to us.”
John Wilson

“The only limit is the one you set yourself.”
Felix Baumgartner

“Give thanks for what you are today and go on fighting for what part of you will be gone tomorrow.”
William Shakespeare

“Nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears.”
Demi Lovato

“When I feel confused or depressed, I remember back to junior high and I silently repeat, ‘This, too, shall pass.’”
Josh Groban

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
Joseph Campbell

“Feeling lost? Good! Now you get to walk new paths that lead to much better places.”
Robin S. Sharma

“The only thing in the world you can change is yourself and that makes all the difference in the world.”
Cher

“Just remember – when you think all is lost, the future remains.”
Robert H. Goddard

Feeling Lost Quotes That Will Help You to Find Your Path and Move Forward

“Feeling lost? Take a dream and convert it into small goals, then start taking the steps to hit those goals.”
Dave Ramsey

“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything but they make the most of everything.”
Sam Cawthorn

“Stop acting so small, you are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
Rumi

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
Maya Angelou

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
George Bernard Shaw

“One step in the right direction is better than a hundred years of thinking about it.”
T. Harv Eker

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”
Steve Jobs

“You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.”
Muhammad Ali

“Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.”
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer

“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”
Neil Gaiman

“Small minds are concerned with the extraordinary, great minds with the ordinary.”
Blaise Pascal

“The fears we don’t face become our limits.”
Amy Elizabeth

“You cannot defeat darkness by running from it, nor can you conquer your inner demons by hiding them from the world. In order to defeat the darkness, you must bring it into the light.”
Seth Adam Smith

“Your teacher can open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”
Chinese proverb

“When enthusiasm runs in the front door, worry runs out the back door.”
Napoleon Hill

“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
Vincent Van Gogh

“We generate fears when we sit. We overcome them by action.”
Dr. Henry Link

“Be who you needed when you were younger.”
Unknown

“When I feel lost and can’t make a decision, I just stop and get quiet. I take a time-out.”
Kim Cattrall

“Even when bad things happen you have to try to use those bad things in a positive manner and really just take the positive out of it.”
Natalie du Toit

“Do you know who you are? Don’t ask. Act. Action will delineate and define you.”
Thomas Jefferson

“It’s better to have tried and failed than to live life wondering what would’ve happened if I had tried.”
Alfred Lord Tennyson

“You got to go down a lot of wrong roads to find the right one.”
Bob Parsons

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
Robert H. Schuller

“Things are not always right because they are hard, but if they are right one must not mind if they are also hard.”
Winston Churchill

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”
Ernest Hemingway

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
Lao Tzu

“Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The next chapter of my life is always more interesting than the last one.”
Michael Lipsey

“Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.”
Dale Carnegie

“A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.”
Benjamin Franklin

“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man’s life.”
T.S. Eliot

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I am 36 years old, and I would say 27 years of my life have been spent in a battle with my weight. You name the diet—I have probably tried it… more than once and failed at it. Nothing ever came easy, nothing ever made sense. I would try something new and get bored of it—which then led to gaining even more weight.

Growing up I was made to feel bad about myself because of my weight and eating habits. I would be forced into certain diets that never made me feel good. They left me feeling either sick, starving, or extremely bloated. There was never a consistent pattern in any of the “diets” I was on. It was either eat a pound of broccoli and fish, or you can eat greasy burgers and mayo but no bun. How was any of that sustainable or going to make me be able to lose weight the healthy way? It wasn’t.

All the other diets I have been on have always been about losing weight and never taught me the value of nutrition and healthy eating.

In 2018 I became the unhealthiest I’ve ever been. I am a wife, and a mom of two amazing boys. I would eat fast food four or five times a week and then throw out the bags to hide the evidence from my family. I had become lazy in making healthy meals that I would just throw together without thinking of nutrition. I had fallen back into so many bad habits that led to me feeling sad all day long. I hated the way I looked, how I felt, and, more importantly, the path I was heading down.

The power of portion control

November 2018 is when my life changed forever. It was when I asked for help and was introduced to The Ultimate Portion Fix program. I needed to know what people were doing to get these amazing results. I needed to know all about it—NOW!

[Editor’s note: The Ultimate Portion Fix was created by Beachbody Super Trainer Autumn Calabrese, a fitness and nutrition expert and certified health and wellness coach. It’s designed to teach people how to control their meal portions using color-coded containers for measuring out portions of foods that make up a meal or snack. Calabrese’s system forms the basis of her book Lose Weight Like Crazy Even if You Have a Crazy Life, published by Galvanized Media, publisher of Eatthis.com.]

I jumped in. I watched all the Ultimate Portion Fix videos, read all the program materials, and used the workbooks and logbooks provided. There was no cutting out carbs or fruits like so many “diets” make you do. This made sense. There was no weighing my food or counting calories. I didn’t have to give up foods that I love, I just had to pick healthier versions and proper portion sizes—something we all know but are never fully aware of not to do—until now I wish I would have known about this years ago—but what was important was that I had the tools I needed now.

The first few days I measured, and I prepared meals ahead of time. Did I have doubts? Of course! I had doubts this was going to work for me—because nothing in the past had. But I continued to measure, I continued to portion my meals and eat exactly how I was supposed to.

My cravings for sugar slowly went away and it got easier. I was learning to cook healthy meals for my family! I realized this wasn’t like anything I had ever done. I was able to eat all the food I normally would, but now I was using these containers as my guide, and they taught me how to eat all over again.

Find your ‘why’ and lose the pounds

In one year, I lost 110 pounds following Autumn’s Portion Fix program and pushing play on her workouts. I used the tools that were given to me and followed them. There were no shortcuts, there was no easy way out. I knew I needed to change my old habits to see new results—long-lasting results.

When it got hard, I would remember her talking about our “whys.” Why was I doing this? To lose weight and be healthy. Why did I NEED to do this? Because I didn’t want to die young. I wanted to grow old with my husband and watch my boys grow up. Those answers are ALWAYS in the back of my head.

My boys watch me push play to Autumn’s workout programs every day and see me have fun doing it! I can make them delicious, healthy meals, and what is even more amazing is that they are aware of making healthy choices. They used to watch me sit around on a couch all day feeling sad and eating junk food. Today, they have the best version of me and it’s all because of those 6 amazing containers.

(Adapted from Lose Weight Like Crazy Even If You Have a Crazy Life!)

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Deciding to go on the journey of losing weight and changing your health can be a difficult decision to make and an even more difficult process to maintain.

Because of this, it can be extremely helpful to have support and encouragement along the way. If you’re on your journey or thinking about getting started, we’ve got some extra inspiration for you.

Here are 20 success stories from people who lost 20 pounds or more this year. And for more healthy eating tips, make sure to check out The 7 Healthiest Foods To Eat Right Now.

“I lost over 50 pounds in a period of about 8 months, and the biggest change I implemented was with my lunch during the workweek. I found that my lunch at work was my worst meal of the day. I went from eating fast food each day to meal prepping grilled chicken, vegetables, and nuts (almonds) for the week.”

“Not only did I reduce my calorie intake by almost 800 calories for just that meal, but I also found myself not as hungry throughout the day because I was getting a good ratio of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.” – Jeff Moriarty, who lost 50 pounds

RELATED: 14 Lunch Habits That Help You Lose Weight

“I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2019, and having the accountability of everyday workouts and a community through Onnit was an absolute god-send for my road back to health and recovery. I participated in workouts on a daily basis that were engaging, but also nourishing, teaching me the importance of proper mobility and recovery.”

“If you’d like, you can hear more about my health journey on my podcast!” – Seth Marcus, who lost weight with Onnit

RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

“Things like meal prep and finding a supportive community were some of the keys to my success. I learned it all through the Onnit 6 Challenge, and the Onnit community continues to give me the tools and support I need for my results to be sustainable.” – Angie Sanders, who lost weight with the Onnit Challenge

“Being frustrated by my lack of progress and excessive snacking were some of my greatest challenges, so I set out to address each one of those obstacles.”

“I started nightly meditation and breathing exercises, and have learned to be kind toward myself, remind myself how far I’ve come, and go into every day with a plan. Having a plan each day and tracking my intake through Lose It! has helped me avoid mindless snacking.”- Daniel Acevedo, who lost weight with the Lose It! app

“I had a hard time doing normal tasks such as walking up stairs and playing with my daughter, so I began tracking my meals and getting in daily exercise using Lose It!“

“I realized I was drinking so many of my daily calories, so now I drink around 150 ounces of water each day. I log my food for the day each morning so I know what to expect throughout the day. I also make sure to get in some form of exercise every day.” – Michael Murphy, who’s lost 110 pounds

RELATED: Major Side Effect Of Not Drinking Enough Water

“I have lost 101 pounds so far, and I did that by drinking a gallon of water every day, taking classes 5-6 times a week, and focusing on my cardio. I did weight loss challenges at The Camp Transformation Center and learned to really push myself every time even when it got hard and I wanted to give up.”

“To maintain my healthy lifestyle, I’ve limited my alcohol intake, tried cutting out a lot of processed foods, fast food, junk food, continued to drink a lot of water, and continued my workout routine.” – Alex Alvarez, who has lost 102 pounds

“I’ve lost 70 pounds so far and I’ve done it through changing my eating habits by following the nutritional guidelines at The Camp Transformation Center.”

“I’m more conscious of what I eat and what I put into my body. I don’t eat rice as much, even though you know us Filipinos love our rice. I now sometimes substitute my rice with salad instead. At the end of the day, it was dedication, consistency, and the eating habits I changed that helped me lose the weight.” – Gian Muya, who lost 70 pounds

“I lost 20 pounds this year after gaining weight during Covid. I decided to try an Isagenix program, even though I was hesitant because of the price. It was a tough 30-day regiment and I had to completely change the way I was eating. I cut out dairy, red meat, alcohol, and in the first 30 days I lost 14 pounds.”

“I decided to continue the plan but phased a few alcoholic drinks in here and there (just clear alcohol like vodka or tequila if I went out with friends). In May, I lost another 6 pounds.”

“It really taught me to eat differently in a sustainable way. I can now go into a restaurant and know what to order. I treat myself occasionally, but I realize that my body doesn’t really crave a lot of the stuff it used to anymore.” – Erin Talbot, who lost 20 pounds

“The biggest thing with my weight loss was getting my diet under control. Previously, every burger was a double cheeseburger, every scoop of potatoes and cheese had a second one behind it. Dessert was a ‘yes, please!’ But I realized no amount of exercise can undo this.”

“I also found intermittent fasting to be a game-changer for me. It turns your body off fat-creation mode and puts it into fat-burning mode.”

“And finally, regular exercise was a necessary part of it for me. It’s not about being a gym rat, although I kind of am, it’s just using your physical body to become stronger and healthier.” Ben Nettleton, who lost 35 pounds

RELATED: Try This Intermittent Fasting Tip To Lose Stubborn Fat, Expert Says

“Because of my occupation (recipe developer), making large lifestyle changes just wasn’t an option, but I started to make a conscious effort to control portion sizes by using small plates.”

“I also eat all of my veggies and proteins first and then if I am still hungry, add carbs. Lastly, and the biggest change for my journey was daily exercise. I make sure to do a 30 minutes run/walk combo every morning on my Nordictrack.” – Jessica Formicola, who lost 35 pounds

“My buddies and I actually made a bet to see who could get in shape the fastest. I know it may sound strange, but I believe that to achieve your health goals, you have to make it about something bigger than you. Making a pact made me do the things I said I was going to do even when no one else was watching.”

“I used a free app called MyFitnessPal and input my goal of losing weight. I tracked my daily calorie intake while still getting enough macronutrients to gain muscle. I also made sure I hit my step count by adding a 1-hour walk alongside my steps at work.  My accountability started to slip so I hired a personal trainer who kept me accountable to my workout.”- Kawan Karadaghi, who lost 22 pounds

“I recently lost over 30 pounds just by doing some very basic things. I learned to manage my portion control, track my daily calories, and change the types of desserts I have after meals.”

“I’m not a big workout or exercise person, but I try to walk a few miles on the weekends if possible, nothing crazy! I’ve found that sticking to the basics and being aware of your caloric intake vs. what you burn in a day is all you really need sometimes.” – Sarah Levy who lost over 30 pounds

“I lost over 100 pounds in the past 3 years from CycleBar. I was looking for a way to up my fitness game to actually see results and lose some weight. I started noticing results and fell in love with the classes at CycleBar, that I quickly decided to apply to become an instructor and teach my own classes!” – Amy Schuerman, who lost 100 pounds

“I’ve gone from 265 pounds to 213 pounds, and I did this by making some key changes in my life. I gave up soft drinks, limited my intake of processed sugar, spent more time outside, and made more meals at home from scratch.” – Baron Christopher-who lost over 50 pounds

RELATED: If You Drink Soda, This Is What It Does To Your Body

“The biggest thing I did to jump-start my weight loss was meal planning. Having a plan each week for what I would be eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a fridge stocked with food for those meals was a game-changer. Instead of running out for fast food at lunchtime, grabbing a last-minute pastry with my morning coffee, or calling for takeout because I was too tired to figure out what was for dinner – I followed the plan I had made.”

“This truly changed everything for me. Most of my unhealthy eating stemmed from choosing unhealthy foods in the moment when I was too hungry or tired to think about a better choice.” – Kristen, who lost over 20 pounds

“I came from a large, southern family who indulged in unhealthy foods and couldn’t find time to make nutritious meals with their busy schedules.  As an adult, I found myself falling into the same bad habits and weighing about 200 pounds.”

“I discovered Pure Barre back in 2017 after taking advantage of a free week of classes and have been a member ever since. The welcoming atmosphere and encouragement from the studio’s community have helped me overcome the intimidation of exercise and negative perceptions of my body.” – Allison Schweickert, who lost 50 pounds

“I was 49-years-old and 245 pounds when I was diagnosed with neuropathy diabetes. I reached out to Medi-Weightloss and the staff there taught me healthy eating habits, meal prep, how to monitor my blood pressure, and gave me ideas for exercise routines that would change my life for the better.”

“I enjoy going for my hour-long morning walks and eating my favorite whole foods, and I feel more confident in holding myself accountable.” – Rachelle Rivera, who lost 85 pounds

“I am 44 years old and I have lost weight with WW and intuitive eating.  I followed their program and I did very light exercises. It was the first time I really considered how hungry I was and why I was eating what I was eating.” – Pesha Perlsweig, who lost weight with WW (formerly Weight Watchers)

RELATED: Ways Intuitive Eating Can Help You Lose Weight, Say Dietitians

“It’s been a wild ride, but something that really helped me was discovering intermittent fasting, as well as realizing I wanted to limit my meat intake to chicken, pork, and bacon only on special occasions.” – Leslie Jacobs, who lost over 100 pounds

“I started with power walking every morning, 6 days a week—rain, heatwave, or shine. To amp that up, I threw in taking the stairs more. Walking in the door with a sweat is key after every walk.”

“I then cut out things like rice and bread and mashed potatoes—that 3rd part I’m still working on. I also replaced fast food with smoothies, and learned to never skip a meal as well as enjoy fun cheat days.”

“Another important thing I did for my weight loss journey was cut out negative friendships and any old negative thinking patterns.” – Sam Russel, who lost over 45 pounds

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In 2018, Kevin Smith had a heart attack that would ultimately change his life—surprisingly, for the better. The actor and director, then 47, revealed in a subsequent post to his Instagram account that he had suffered a “100% blockage of [his] LAD artery (also known as ‘the Widow-Maker’ because when it goes, you’re a goner).”

Since then, Smith has been on a mission to shape up and live a long, healthy life for himself and his family. Smith dropped 50-plus pounds in the first six months following his heart attack, and he recently revealed that he shed another 25 pounds—this time losing the weight in a single month.

RELATED: Chris Hemsworth Shares His “Ultimate Family Workout” in Hilarious New Video

On June 23, Smith told his Twitter followers, “I’ve got pandemic pounds to lose. I just gotta keep trying,” after a YouTube commenter told him it was “time to go back to the hockey jerseys” he had worn when he was heavier.

Committed to shedding the weight, Smith began hiking daily in Los Angeles’ Runyon Canyon.

Lo and behold, just a month later, Smith had shed 25 pounds, telling his followers that he had just two pounds left to lose before meeting his goal.

However, it’s not exercise that has helped Smith achieve the leaner figure he has now.

“My kid encouraged me to go vegan…she was like, ‘I’ve gotta flip him,’ and she did. And I became vegan,” Smith explained during a 2019 WIRED Autocomplete interview.

However, Smith admitted that the transition was a tough one initially, “I hate vegetables…hate ’em with a passion. Very hard to be a vegan when you hate vegetables and stuff,” he explained.

Instead of forcing himself to load up on foods he doesn’t enjoy, Smith decided to incorporate intermittent fasting into his daily routine. “Given the choice between broccoli and kumquats, you’re like, ‘I’d rather not f***ing eat.’ And so you just don’t eat at all, so you just skip meals. I don’t eat breakfast. I break my fast at about 1 or 2 o’clock in the afternoon—I go as deep into the day as I can—and I don’t eat after 8 o’clock at night,” he explained.

For more on how your favorite stars slim down, check out Rebel Wilson Says These Four Things Helped Her Shed 75 Pounds.

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Losing 30 pounds in just a few months? That’s so Raven. Multihyphenate star Raven-Symoné has been sharing her weight loss journey with fans, revealing the exact tips and tricks she’s employed to lose 30 pounds and improve her overall health over just three months.
Now, in a new interview, the actor and TV host reveals the exact steps she took to drop the weight and improve her health in one fell swoop—and there are no personal trainers or expensive diet plans involved.

Read on to discover how she shed the pounds. And for more insight into how your favorite stars really slim down, check out Katie Lee Biegel Shares How She Got Back to Her Pre-Baby Weight.

In a new interview with Australia’s Today Show, Raven-Symoné revealed that she decided to lose weight after having a frightening experience at the doctor.

“My numbers came back and it scared the bejesus out of me. I’ve always dealt with weight my entire life…surpassing 200 pounds at some points, going under 150 at other points,” she explains. “There was a moment recently where I sat down with my wife and I was just like, ‘This has to stop.'”

For more celebrity transformations, check out Sherri Shepherd Says This One Thing “Makes the Weight Fall Off” After Losing 35 Pounds.

In order to shed the pounds, Raven-Symoné adopted a “low-carb, high-fat” way of eating that she says keeps her satiated in a way that her previous meal plans didn’t.

In addition to her new way of eating, the star says that she’s been incorporating “lots of fasting” and low-impact exercise into her regular routine.

Raven-Symoné says that, in addition to making over her eating habits, she feels like she “finally understand[s] the science of my body and what it needs in order to be at a healthy weight.”

The star says that much of her weight loss has come about due to a seismic mental and emotional change. “I call some of my weight ‘hate weight,'” she explains, noting that therapy and her happy marriage have helped guide her transformation. “As soon as I stopped hating things around me and my cortisol went down, I was able to not rely on carbs as much and take away all of those things that were really pushing my insulin levels to the point of no return, creating an insulin resistance in me that is very dangerous for future health.”

Raven-Symoné says she’s not letting the number on the scale determine how she feels about her progress.

“I put away that number, I put away that scale,” she says. “What I look at is: Am I able to walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing? Am I able to wake up without inflammation in my ankles and my wrists and all of my injuries? Am I able to digest foods without grumblings in my tummy?…I’m not trying to hit a goal number, I’m just trying to stay healthy.”

For more insight into how your favorite stars shape up, check out Eva Longoria Shares Her Challenging Butt Workout In New Video, and for the latest celebrity health and fitness news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

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The Kardashians are truly the epitome of the term “household name.” The family’s makeup, aesthetic, attire, and physiques have spawned fan accounts, clothing lines, workout apps, blogs, and billion-dollar beauty empires.

Of course, the reality stars are privileged in terms of their access to money, physical trainers, private chefs, etc. But they’ve also been very vocal with their fans throughout the years about their various healthy eating habits, how they stay fit, and even how they’ve lost weight—and kept it off.

Read on to learn some of the Kardashians’ top weight loss philosophies. But, since nutrition and health aren’t always “one size fits all,” be mindful of immediately incorporating any of these tips into your dietary lexicon.

For more, check out these 200 Best Weight Loss Tips.

All of the Kardashian women swear by drinking boatloads of water, and for good reason. Staying hydrated has a ton of benefits, some of which include aiding in digestion and weight loss, and helping you to feel fuller throughout the day.

In a recent Instagram story, Khloe Kardashian posted about what she adds to her water to make drinking it even more enjoyable: “… fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, cucumber, lemon, and oranges…I was going to stop there, but I did add a couple of grapefruit slices. So happy hydrating!”

Related: Sign up for our newsletter for the latest healthy eating advice.

The Kardashians love to drink tea—either hot or iced—as evidenced by multiple interviews. Scientific study after study has shown that tea is healthful in general, and can also help boost weight loss.

Kourtney Kardashian even waxes poetic about the beverage in this Poosh post, noting that “green tea is the grassy and fresh ritualistic elixir of the ages.” She also shares her favorite apple tea recipe here.

Related: This Is The #1 Best Tea to Drink

The reality stars seem to be very committed to starting their day with a healthy breakfast—especially if it can be a rich, nutritional smoothie.

Kourtney’s site Poosh shares her favorite recipe: An avocado smoothie that swaps honey for dates—to account for sweetness—which also adds a boost of fiber.

Related: The 25 Best-Ever Weight Loss Smoothies

This goes without saying, but exercise is a huge component of the Kardashians’ health and wellness regimen. They all have trainers and often work out up to five days per week—sometimes even twice a day!

Khloe recently told People that exercise is “a stress reliever” that gives her the “little oomph” that she needs to get through the day. “I don’t care about the scale. I feel energized and I’m ready to chase my daughter.”

The Kardashians swear by eating both protein and fiber at mealtime, which are healthy diet staples that fill you up, keep you satiated, and help build strong muscles. Kim Kardashian shared in a 202o Tweet that some of her go-to choices are: “oatmeal and vegan sausage for breakfast, vegan tacos are my fave for lunch! Salads are good too!”

Related: The Best Essential Foods to Eat for Weight Loss.

Over the years, Kim has tried diet after diet—from Atkins to keto to plant-based—and has reported back to inform her followers how each one has worked for her. Naturally, some have worked better for her than others, as is the case for everyone who’s testing out a new way of eating. That’s why it’s important to listen to your body and note how it’s reacting to the foods you’re eating.

The Kardashians know what they love when it comes to food, but are up for finding healthier alternatives. For instance, in a 2018 tweet, Kourtney espoused swapping out soda for kombucha—a great idea!

Related: 40 Food Swaps That Cut Thousands of Calories

In her book, Strong Looks Better Naked, Khloe notes: “You’re not allowing yourself to enjoy the food you love, and it will only make you want it that much more. Make smart lifestyle changes, one baby step at a time.”

Meaning: If she wants that pizza, she’s going to go ahead and have it! That’s part of having a healthy and balanced diet.

As everyone knows, you can be eating well and staying active, but if you’re really stressed, that can take its toll on your weight. With their busy schedules, the Kardashians know the importance of taking care of themselves psychologically, mentally, and emotionally, as well as physically.

Research shows that getting adequate sleep is integral to healthy living and crucial for weight loss. As this study notes, not getting  enough quality Z’s can lead to you consuming more food. (Here’s some helpful advice for improving your sleeping habits.)

For more, check out 40 Best and Worst Foods to Eat Before Sleep.

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