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I Lost 66 Pounds by Eating Fajitas and Doing These 11 Things Every Day

This fitness coach has the best advice for weight loss.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
lucy_lismore_fitness5
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

YouTuber Lucy Lismore is a fitness coach who knows from experience how challenging weight loss can be. Lismore lost 66 pounds in 8 months to get into the best shape of her life, and she’s sharing exactly how she did it with anyone struggling to lose the extra fat. “I know this world can be scary, lonely, and overwhelming, and there is so much information out there at the moment, but to begin with, you really just need to keep it simple and really enjoy the moment and the process because that is the way that you're going to be able to stay consistent and make this into a lifestyle,” she says. Lismore is now an adventurer who travels the world and helps others reach their goals. Here’s exactly how she lost the weight in a healthy, sustainable way.


Morning Weigh-In

Lismore weighed herself every morning and kept track of her measurements while losing weight. “I nearly always weighed myself at the time,” she says. “I don't do that anymore, but we'll go into that in another video. And I would write my stats up on a piece of paper that was stuck to the bathroom door, and then I would start getting ready for the day.”

Bananas and Toast For Breakfast

Homemade peanut butter sandwich with bananas and honey.Shutterstock

Lismore switched her breakfast up so she still had the food she liked best—banana on toast—but with lower-calorie options and portion control. “I would usually have three, maybe four slices,” she says. “So I simply switched it to bagel thins. I wasn't particularly hungry in the morning personally, so I was happy with a slightly smaller breakfast that I could eat, enjoy, and go, and then really focus on having a more tasty and hearty lunch and dinner.”

Coffee Order

Woman hand holding coffee cup on table against city view in vintage cafeShutterstock

Lismore saved herself 200 calories a day by slowly switching up her coffee order for something more diet-friendly. “I still had a latte, but I switched to a medium, then I started to reduce my sugars to two, then to one,” she says. “And eventually, I moved to most of the time having an Americano with a little bit of milk and sometimes a sweetener if I needed it.”

NEAT Activity

Lismore started to work on her non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), getting more active throughout the day. “I try to be as active as possible,” she says. “It's as simple as things like if I'm taking laundry from my living room to my bedroom and it's going to be a massive load, I will end up just going, you know what? I'll take two trips rather than trying to ram so much into my hands that I'm going to drop it. All those little extras, they really, really do add up, even if it is as simple as just standing for 10 minutes of an hour.”

Chicken Moroccan Soup

chicken fillet on a stone backgroundShutterstock

Lismore used to get lunch on the go, usually something not-so-healthy from the food court, and switched over to delicious chicken Moroccan soup instead. “I set about trying to find something that was hardy, fulfilling, cheap, easy to get hold of, and I settled on soup,” she says. “So I started getting that, and I really, really enjoyed it. I found that it satisfied all my cravings, and I was super, super full for the rest of the afternoon as well. And then I started making my own.”

Sensible About Snacks

Homemade,Kettle,Corn,Popcorn,In,A,BagShutterstock

Lismore was mindful of her snacks while losing weight. “Sometimes I went for low-calorie high-volume, so things like popcorn or pop chips or rice cakes with yogurt, whatever it was,” she says. “But sometimes I would just have chocolate, or I'd have what I was craving. So I literally would just have what I want, but again, I would just be mindful of how much of it I was having.”

At-Home Workouts

Lismore makes the crucial point that weight loss depends heavily on a calorie deficit, which freed her up to do workouts for fun and fitness while losing weight. “If the idea of going to the gym scares you as it did for me, then you can work out at home,” she says. “Or if you just want to go for a walk simply, then you can totally do that too. In fact, I think that walking is very, very underrated. So, if I were going to give you my top tips for exercise, it would be just to be comfortable. Be comfortable with what you're doing, what you're wearing, and where you are.”

Exercise Benefits

Buffalo, Minnesota, USA - May 20, 2017 Murph Challenge 2017, Happy athletic girl coming back from 1 mile run and flexing her bicepsShutterstock

Lismore worked out five times a week, usually Monday-Friday. She insists there is no “right” exercise for weight loss—just the one you enjoy and can stick with. “I just want to reiterate again, you're going to get sick of me saying it, that it really doesn't matter,” she says. “You're going to create a calorie deficit through your nutrition, and exercise may be an added bonus, but there are so many other benefits, such as your mood, your fitness, and your general health, that come from exercise.”

RELATED:I Got Into the Best Shape of My Life at 50 by Following These 6 "Basics"

Fajitas For Dinner

Mexican food. Beef Fajitas - Traditional dish of Mexico.Shutterstock

Lismore loves making fajitas for dinner, which was a favorite meal before losing weight. “What I did was I just reduced it to two wraps,” she says. “I increased the filling, so I still felt quite satisfied. I bulked up the salad, so I made sure there were plenty of voluminous but low-calorie foods in there as well, but I still had everything else. And then, I switched the soft drink to sparkling water instead, which I ended up absolutely loving. So, super easy switches. I was still eating the same stuff. The fillings were all exactly the same. It was just the portions were a lot smaller.”

Herbal Tea

Lismore would have a cup of herbal tea after dinner. “And this was kind of to replace dessert, but it didn't mean that I didn't have dessert,” she says. “It just gave me that break to really think about what I wanted and if I really wanted something. So, as soon as I'd eaten my dinner, I put the dishes away and made myself a cup of purple tea. And in the end, I really enjoyed having that habit of just being able to sit on my tea and enjoy the moment.”

Weight Fluctuations

Overweight female is standing on white scales at homeShutterstock

Lismore makes the point that weight fluctuations are normal and to be expected. “It took me around eight months to lose the majority of that weight, but then the last five kilos [11 pounds] was a little bit longer, and then it's fluctuated ever since then,” she says. “I would say my weight has fluctuated anywhere up to 10 kilos [22 pounds] plus or minus that weight since that's what maintenance is. You are not going to maintain exactly the same weight your entire life because life happens.”

RELATED: 5 Daily Moves to Boost Bone Density After 50

Strength Training

Young smiling fit woman doing exercises with dumbells and looking at her reflection at gymShutterstock

Lismore noticed significant changes once she started adding strength training to her exercise regimen. “When I started doing calisthenics and doing a bit more resistance training and building some muscle, I noticed that my body changed quite a lot,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

More For You

I Lost 35 Pounds in 4 Months by Doing These 6 Things
Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Do you want to lose weight fast while healing your gut? Amanda Borchardt is a cortisol expert and coach who lost 35 pounds when she finally “cracked the code” to cortisol and adopted certain habits that helped her keep her hormones under control. In a new social media post, she reveals five habits that enabled her to lose weight fast and transform her look. “How to become unrecognizable in the next 6 months,” she writes across the video. “I started with these habits and a cortisol balancing, gut healing supplement that helped me lose 35 pounds in 4 months and gained back all my lost energy from high cortisol!” she added.

Hydrate

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Her first habit has to do with hydration. “Drink your body weight in ounces,” she writes. How much water should you drink? According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters). The Mayo Clinic explains that hydration helps eliminate waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature regular, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

Walk and Lift Weights

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Her second habit is two different workouts. “10,000 Steps per day & lifting,” she says. A 2018 study published in Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes. As for strength training, Mayo Clinic explains that it can help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. It may also help you:

-- Develop strong bones
-- Manage your weight
-- Enhance your quality of life
-- Manage chronic conditions
-- Sharpen your thinking skills.

Amp Up Your Protein Intake

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Also, amp up your protein intake. “Increase your protein intake to (30 to 40g per meal),” she suggests. According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.

No Processed Food or Sugar

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

When it comes to diet, it’s not just about how many calories you eat, but what types of food, she says. “Cut out processed food/sugar,” she writes. Examples include anything made with white flour or sugar, packaged snacks, candy, or fast food.

Walk Barefoot Outside

Amanda Borchardt conquering_cortisol_control

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Her fifth tip is unconventional. “Walk outside barefoot & daily get sunlight,” she writes. Vitamin D helps cells in your gut absorb bone-healthy nutrients calcium and phosphorus.

Consume Gut-Healing Herbs

Amanda Borchardt conquering_cortisol_control

Instagram.com/@conquering_cortisol_control

Her last tip is to “add in natural herbs that not only heal your gut but help balance your cortisol,” she writes. “When I added it in the correct supplements, my weight loss journey skyrocketed after years of not being able to lose anything!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss40 Health Symptoms That Can Be More Serious Than You Think.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

YouTuber Lucy Lismore is a fitness coach who knows from experience how challenging weight loss can be. Lismore lost 66 pounds in 8 months to get into the best shape of her life, and she’s sharing exactly how she did it with anyone struggling to lose the extra fat. “I know this world can be scary, lonely, and overwhelming, and there is so much information out there at the moment, but to begin with, you really just need to keep it simple and really enjoy the moment and the process because that is the way that you're going to be able to stay consistent and make this into a lifestyle,” she says. Lismore is now an adventurer who travels the world and helps others reach their goals. Here’s exactly how she lost the weight in a healthy, sustainable way.


Morning Weigh-In

Lismore weighed herself every morning and kept track of her measurements while losing weight. “I nearly always weighed myself at the time,” she says. “I don't do that anymore, but we'll go into that in another video. And I would write my stats up on a piece of paper that was stuck to the bathroom door, and then I would start getting ready for the day.”

Bananas and Toast For Breakfast

Homemade peanut butter sandwich with bananas and honey.Shutterstock

Lismore switched her breakfast up so she still had the food she liked best—banana on toast—but with lower-calorie options and portion control. “I would usually have three, maybe four slices,” she says. “So I simply switched it to bagel thins. I wasn't particularly hungry in the morning personally, so I was happy with a slightly smaller breakfast that I could eat, enjoy, and go, and then really focus on having a more tasty and hearty lunch and dinner.”

Coffee Order

Woman hand holding coffee cup on table against city view in vintage cafeShutterstock

Lismore saved herself 200 calories a day by slowly switching up her coffee order for something more diet-friendly. “I still had a latte, but I switched to a medium, then I started to reduce my sugars to two, then to one,” she says. “And eventually, I moved to most of the time having an Americano with a little bit of milk and sometimes a sweetener if I needed it.”

NEAT Activity

Lismore started to work on her non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), getting more active throughout the day. “I try to be as active as possible,” she says. “It's as simple as things like if I'm taking laundry from my living room to my bedroom and it's going to be a massive load, I will end up just going, you know what? I'll take two trips rather than trying to ram so much into my hands that I'm going to drop it. All those little extras, they really, really do add up, even if it is as simple as just standing for 10 minutes of an hour.”

Chicken Moroccan Soup

chicken fillet on a stone backgroundShutterstock

Lismore used to get lunch on the go, usually something not-so-healthy from the food court, and switched over to delicious chicken Moroccan soup instead. “I set about trying to find something that was hardy, fulfilling, cheap, easy to get hold of, and I settled on soup,” she says. “So I started getting that, and I really, really enjoyed it. I found that it satisfied all my cravings, and I was super, super full for the rest of the afternoon as well. And then I started making my own.”

Sensible About Snacks

Homemade,Kettle,Corn,Popcorn,In,A,BagShutterstock

Lismore was mindful of her snacks while losing weight. “Sometimes I went for low-calorie high-volume, so things like popcorn or pop chips or rice cakes with yogurt, whatever it was,” she says. “But sometimes I would just have chocolate, or I'd have what I was craving. So I literally would just have what I want, but again, I would just be mindful of how much of it I was having.”

At-Home Workouts

Lismore makes the crucial point that weight loss depends heavily on a calorie deficit, which freed her up to do workouts for fun and fitness while losing weight. “If the idea of going to the gym scares you as it did for me, then you can work out at home,” she says. “Or if you just want to go for a walk simply, then you can totally do that too. In fact, I think that walking is very, very underrated. So, if I were going to give you my top tips for exercise, it would be just to be comfortable. Be comfortable with what you're doing, what you're wearing, and where you are.”

Exercise Benefits

Buffalo, Minnesota, USA - May 20, 2017 Murph Challenge 2017, Happy athletic girl coming back from 1 mile run and flexing her bicepsShutterstock

Lismore worked out five times a week, usually Monday-Friday. She insists there is no “right” exercise for weight loss—just the one you enjoy and can stick with. “I just want to reiterate again, you're going to get sick of me saying it, that it really doesn't matter,” she says. “You're going to create a calorie deficit through your nutrition, and exercise may be an added bonus, but there are so many other benefits, such as your mood, your fitness, and your general health, that come from exercise.”

RELATED:I Got Into the Best Shape of My Life at 50 by Following These 6 "Basics"

Fajitas For Dinner

Mexican food. Beef Fajitas - Traditional dish of Mexico.Shutterstock

Lismore loves making fajitas for dinner, which was a favorite meal before losing weight. “What I did was I just reduced it to two wraps,” she says. “I increased the filling, so I still felt quite satisfied. I bulked up the salad, so I made sure there were plenty of voluminous but low-calorie foods in there as well, but I still had everything else. And then, I switched the soft drink to sparkling water instead, which I ended up absolutely loving. So, super easy switches. I was still eating the same stuff. The fillings were all exactly the same. It was just the portions were a lot smaller.”

Herbal Tea

Lismore would have a cup of herbal tea after dinner. “And this was kind of to replace dessert, but it didn't mean that I didn't have dessert,” she says. “It just gave me that break to really think about what I wanted and if I really wanted something. So, as soon as I'd eaten my dinner, I put the dishes away and made myself a cup of purple tea. And in the end, I really enjoyed having that habit of just being able to sit on my tea and enjoy the moment.”

Weight Fluctuations

Overweight female is standing on white scales at homeShutterstock

Lismore makes the point that weight fluctuations are normal and to be expected. “It took me around eight months to lose the majority of that weight, but then the last five kilos [11 pounds] was a little bit longer, and then it's fluctuated ever since then,” she says. “I would say my weight has fluctuated anywhere up to 10 kilos [22 pounds] plus or minus that weight since that's what maintenance is. You are not going to maintain exactly the same weight your entire life because life happens.”

RELATED: 5 Daily Moves to Boost Bone Density After 50

Strength Training

Young smiling fit woman doing exercises with dumbells and looking at her reflection at gymShutterstock

Lismore noticed significant changes once she started adding strength training to her exercise regimen. “When I started doing calisthenics and doing a bit more resistance training and building some muscle, I noticed that my body changed quite a lot,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to lose 44 pounds in three months? It may be as simple as incorporating some healthy habits into your lifestyle. Talia Fawaz is a social media influencer who boasts over 147,000 followers on Instagram, sharing about everything from her lifestyle to how she stays in shape. She recently posted a viral video about her weight loss, revealing how she lost an average of nearly 15 pounds per month. Here are ten changes she made to her lifestyle to lose weight.


I Focused on Changing My Diet

Close up cropped image of cutting board and couple cutting vegetables in the kitchen together, preparing food meal at home. Vegetarian healthy foodShutterstock

“First things first is food,” Talia says in the video. “I feel like food is actually super obvious.” She explains that if you don’t eat well and expect to lose weight, “it's not gonna happen.” She adds that she started losing weight by eating healthier.

It’s also “really important to know what you're eating, so I would definitely recommend eating at home and cutting out the outside food,” she says. “I wouldn't say cut it out completely, eat like once in a week, something you like from out, but most importantly is like eating at home because I feel like you really know what's in your food and I feel like, it's like a less likely chance that there are some ingredients there that you don't know that could be like stopping you from your weight loss goals.”

RELATED: 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

I Implemented Volume Eating

Green,Fresh,Vegetable,Broccoli.,Fresh,Green,BroccoliShutterstock

Another one of her tricks? “I did a lot of volume eating,” says Talia. “I ate a lot of broccoli,” she continued. “I had a lot of salads, I had a lot of spinach, I had a lot of lettuce, cauliflower, and so many vegetables that will actually keep me full for a long time.”

I Amped Up My Protein Intake

Grilled sea bass fillet with salad and potatoes on stone tableShutterstock

She also amped up protein, consuming it “with each and every dish of mine,” she says. “Sea bass fish, broccoli, and a salad would be like my lunch. Like that was a truly a daily thing, and I actually enjoyed it so much.” She recommends pairing a protein with “just volume, volume fruits if that makes sense.”

RELATED: How I Lost 30 Pounds in 90 Days on the Mediterranean Diet

I Practiced Self-Discipline

Young sportive woman getting ready to start running workout - Athlete running outdoors at sunset - Attractive girl making sport to lose weight and stay fitShutterstock

“Commitment and self-discipline” are also key, she says. “A lot of people ask me, ‘How are you motivated?’” she says. “Like it's literally a war in your head.” But instead of saying that you will start tomorrow, you have to be unwilling to give up.

I Maintained a Positive Mindset

Portrait of positive inspired girl hipster lick lips spoon look copyspace feel interested about what she will eat breakfast wear white t-shirt isolated over bright shine yellow color backgroundShutterstock

You also need a “positive mindset” towards weight loss. This might involve not listening to your head, or if you do, and decide you want McDonald’s, get back on track the next day without beating yourself up.

I Had a Balanced Approach

Female leg is stepping on white scales at homeShutterstock

It’s also important to have “a balance,” says Talia. ”So it would be more like a lifestyle thing rather than a diet for a short period of time.” You can't have the mindset where you diet for a month and then eat whatever you want. “You have to make it like a lifestyle change.”

I Exercised

Attractive sports people are working out with dumbbells in gymShutterstock

She also started working out. “I did not have access to a gym like when I was trying to lose weight. So I would literally jog around my compound, jog around my area for about an hour or 30 minutes, and it was actually really fun. It wasn't like sprinting or jogging; it was usually like light jogging,” she revealed. She recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day to “slowly progress towards your goals.”

RELATED: 17 Ways Your Body Reacts When You Quit Ozempic

I Made It a Lifestyle Change

fitness, sport, people, exercising and lifestyle concept - happy man and woman doing jumping jack or star jump exercise outdoorsShutterstock

She emphasizes the importance of making it “more of a lifestyle change” and not being overly restrictive. “Just don't, don't restrict yourself and make it more of a lifestyle thing than a temporary thing because that's the only way it's gonna work.”

Finally, “Make this a fun journey,” she says. “You know, I feel like cooking is so therapeutic, so make it fun. If you want a cake, make it a healthy cake. If you want pizza, make it healthy pizza. All the recipes are all online.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Eat plenty of low-calorie, high-volume foods like broccoli, salads, spinach, lettuce, and cauliflower to feel full for longer. These vegetables are great for weight loss as they keep you satisfied without adding many calories to your diet.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Losing weight doesn't have to mean giving up everything you love. Just ask Ana, who goes by @thecertifiedhypegirl on TikTok. She's a weight loss coach who shed almost 100 pounds in a year without sacrificing her favorite foods or lifestyle. Now, she's sharing her secrets with the world.


Ana's journey wasn't about crash diets or extreme workouts. Instead, she found simple, doable ways to change her habits and relationship with food. Her approach is all about making small changes that add up to big results over time.

"I finally lost all the weight because I stuck with something. I found something that I could do that made sense in my life," Ana says in one of her videos. So, are you ready to transform your body and life without giving up the things you love? Let's dive into Ana's weight loss secrets and learn how you can put them into action today.

I Drank a Ton of Water

Young woman jogger resting drinking waterShutterstock

"The first thing I want you to do is drink a … ton of water," Ana says in the video. "Now, I'm not just talking a glass. I'm talking a lot of water, like so much water that you're peeing all day long. Use your bathroom in the morning, get on the scale, and see how much you weigh. Drink half of that in ounces of water. A lot of water."

I Ate What I Love (But Mostly Veggies)

@thecertifiedhypegirl

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Ana emphasizes the importance of eating foods you enjoy but with a focus on vegetables. "You need to eat a lot of foods of what you love that are essentially really low in calories," she says. "Get out that recipe book, get onto Google, and do whatever you need to do to find recipes for vegetables that you love. The more vegetables, the more water, the more weight loss."

I Tracked What I Ate

Athlete using mobile phone app fitness tracker for tracking weight loss progress during running exercise. Fit girl woman touching smartphone texting or playing online games or video workouts.Shutterstock

"Along with the water and along with the vegetables, you need to track what is going into your body so that your mind can be aware of what your body is consuming," Ana advises. "Start writing that … down because it's not enough to say, oh, well, I'll remember what I had. No, you won't."

I Weighed Myself Daily

Female standing on the weight scale in the white bathroom floor with green curtain in backgroundShutterstock

"You're going to wanna weigh yourself every single morning," Ana says. "You wanna see what happened yesterday? You want to see if it worked or if it didn't. And make tweaks as the days go on."

I Built Small, Sustainable Habits

In another video, Ana emphasizes the importance of consistency and building small habits. "I finally lost all the weight because I stuck with something. I found something that I could do that made sense in my life," she says. "You have to choose one thing every single week that you're gonna commit to and do it over and over and over again."

I Focused on Nutrition, Not Just Exercise

"Working out should be extra. It is what accelerates the process, but it's not what actually gets you the results," Ana explains. "It's really in your food. What I would suggest is start small with your food, start by tweaking things in the kitchen so that you can enjoy the foods that you're eating, but also see the results that you want."

RELATED: I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods

I Got Creative with Low-Carb Meals

Green and red peppersShutterstock

Ana shares one of her favorite low-carb lunch recipes in a video. "I'm currently on a mission to get rid of some baby weight. I'm also looking for the best recipes to have for lunch that don't involve making a sandwich with bread, but rather with bell peppers," she says.

I Drank Water Before Meals

Glasses,Of,Water,On,A,Wooden,Table.,Selective,Focus.,ShallowShutterstock

"Before every single meal I want you to have a glass of water, 16 ounces before every single meal," Ana advises. "The reason why is because water will actually fill you up and have you eating less essentially when you're having your meals."

I Stopped Eating 4 Hours Before Bed

Ana recommends, "Stop eating at least four hours before you go to sleep. If you go to bed at 10 pm, you wanna be finished your meal at 6. This is one of the biggest reasons I see such a drop because I actually love my body, have time to digest before I go to sleep and chill for the night."

RELATED:Top 10-Minute Exercises That Will Tone Your Sagging Arms

I Gave Myself Time

"You need to give yourself a year," Ana says. "I know that sounds like a long time, but you need to give yourself time, right? Like it took you all this time to put on this weight, it is not going to disappear overnight."

I Started My Day with Water

Water dispenser from dispenser of home fridge, Woman is filling a glass with water from the refrigerator.Shutterstock

"Every single morning when I woke up, I had 32 ounces of water," Ana shares. "I worked up to it. I didn't just all of a sudden started drinking 32 ounces of water. I worked up to it."

I Changed My Mindset About Weekends

"When I started to change my brain around what the weekend meant for me and just looked at it as an extension to my week, that's what really helped," Ana explains. "I stopped thinking about Friday as the day where I was good all week and then just enjoy whatever I wanted on the weekend."

I Managed Late-Night Cravings

Young woman looking into the fridge, feeling hungry at nightShutterstock

To combat late-night snacking, Ana developed a strategy. "Every time I would sit down at night, I would have my water next to me," she says. "When that craving started to creep in, I would tell myself: if you really want it, you can have it tomorrow."

RELATED:10 High-Protein Hacks That Melt Fat Fast Without Feeling Hungry

I Replaced Scrolling with Productive Habits

"Anytime I caught myself scrolling on my phone, I would stop and go do something that would contribute to my goal," Ana shares. "I went from 235 pounds to 147 pounds, and each action brought me closer and closer to my goal." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to lose weight? Try intermittent fasting, and recommend one weight loss warrior. Kayla Cox is a weight loss influencer and founder of Six Miles to Supper, instructing her followers “how to lose weight sustainably and keep it off for good,” she writes in her bio. In a recent viral video, she explains how fasting was instrumental in her weight loss journey.


Kayla Discovered Intermittent Fasting in 2014 and Initially Lost 20 Pounds

Intermittent fasting, health care asian young woman dietary, having stomach ache, temptation hungry of breakfast food in morning on table at home, looking at watch on her wrist but not yet time to eatShutterstock

Kayla struggled with her weight for most of her life, finally deciding to make a change in 2014 when she didn’t recognize herself in Facebook photos. She had her aha moment and decided to try intermittent fasting. She lost 20 pounds, “doing a very inconsistent form of intermittent fasting, meaning that I would do intermittent fasting for a while, and then I would quit because the results weren't fast enough.” She eventually suffered an injury and had to switch from weight lifting to walking. “By the end of the year, I had started regaining some of that weight back, and so I had a net loss of about 15 pounds that year,” she says in the video.

RELATED:I Got in the Best Shape of My Life at 50 With Just 5 Simple Habits

She Later Decided to Be More Consistent About It

“In January of 2016, I decided to focus on being consistent with a very simple plan. I committed to practicing intermittent fasting six days a week, walking six miles a day, and taking a day off from fasting, what I called my cheat day on Sunday,” she says.

She Worked Her Way Up to a 16-8 Fasting Window and Then OMAD

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She slowly worked her way up to about a 16-8 fasting window, “and I kept pushing that out gradually until I eventually got to OMAD,” she says. This translates to “just one meal a day.”

She Does Dirty Fasting

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“Unbeknownst to me, at the time, I was practicing what's known as dirty fasting,” she continues. “I was allowing myself coffee with half and half in it whenever I wanted it during the fasting window.”

RELATED:I Dropped 14 Pounds in 30 Days Using This Weird Fasting Trick

She Has No Eating Rules

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“One rule I had consistently during my eating window during the entire time was to eat whatever I wanted. I had no rules about what kind of foods I had to eat. I was not low carb, and I was not even high in protein. I just ate whatever food my family was eating. I would eat dessert, chocolate, I would drink wine whenever I wanted it, and my consistency paid off,” she says.

She Ended Up Losing 80 Pounds

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By the end of that year, she weighed 158 pounds for a total loss of 65 pounds. She maintained the weight for a year and then decided to lose more weight. “Over the course of the next year, I got down to 142 pounds, which is a total of 80 pounds from my highest confirmed weight of 222 pounds. Once I got down to 142, I found that I had found the diminishing point of returns for me for weight loss. I didn't really feel any difference between 158 and 142, so I decided to maintain in about a 10-pound range, which is what I've done since October of 2018,” she says.

RELATED:Over 50? Here’s How to Burn 3 Pounds of Fat Weekly and Keep It Off

Intermittent Fasting Makes Weight Loss Easier

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“What I love about intermittent fasting is that it helps make the process of eating the right amount of food so that you can lose weight and maintain it a lot easier,” she says.

It Also Simplifies It

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“It also taught me the simplicity of weight loss. It's really not about what foods you're eating. It's about how much you're eating,” she continues.

You Don’t Have to Exercise A Lot Either

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“I also learned that working out really hard isn't necessary for weight loss. I had the best results when I was just walking six miles a day and taking that weekly cheat day also taught me that you don't have to be perfect on the weight loss journey in order to have good results,” she points out.

RELATED:I Transformed My Body with These 9 High Protein Meals

Intermittent Fasting Changed Her Life

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“Losing 80 pounds changed my life. I got comfortable in my own skin. All of my relationships with God, with food, with my family, with my husband improved, and it gave me the confidence to do things like write books,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Cherisse Kozloski cherisse_rykercoaching
Copyright cherisse_rykercoaching/Instagram

Are you on a high-protein diet for fat loss but can’t seem to lose weight? You could be making a common mistake, according to an expert. Cherisse Kozloski is a nutrition coach and personal trainer who helps her clients lose weight and keep it off. In a new post, she discusses some slip-ups that many seem to be making. Most women eating a high protein diet but not losing fat are making these common mistakes,” she writes. “Are these mistakes stopping your progress?”

Mistake 1: You Aren’t Counting Calories

The first mistake? “Not paying attention to your overall calories,” she reveals. “Eating more protein doesn’t automatically mean fat loss. If you’re not mindful of your portions, you could be consuming more calories than you burn, a surplus is a surplus.”

Solution: Measure or Weigh Your Food

How can you correct this? “Weigh or measure your food at least for a little while so you can get a good idea of what a serving size actually is,” she suggests.

Mistake 2: Choosing Food Labeled “High Protein

The second mistake people make? “Choosing foods labeled as ‘high protein’” she says. “Many foods labeled ‘high protein’ actually aren’t.”

Solution: Calculate Yourself

Her solution? Do your own calculations. “Remember the 10/1 rule for every 100 calories you want to get at least 10 grams of protein to be considered high protein,” she says.

Mistake 3: Skipping Healthy Fats

Mistake three has to do with going too low-fat. “Skipping healthy fats,” she says. “Avoiding fats completely can leave you hungry, mess with your hormones, and make it harder to stick to your diet.”

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Solution: Eat Healthy Fats

The solution is simple. “Add fats into your diet like avocado, olive oil, and nuts,” she says. “But remember they are calorie dense so be mindful of how much you’re consuming.”

Mistake 4: Eating too Many Processed Foods

The fourth and final mistake? Just because something is high in protein doesn’t mean it’s good for you. “Eating too many processed foods,” is a no-no. “Protein bars and shakes are convenient but often packed with sugar and additives,” she says.

Solution: Eat Whole Food Protein Sources

Instead, stay away from packaged foods and shop the grocery store's perimeter. “Focus on whole-food protein sources like shrimp, boneless chicken thighs, and eggs to nourish your body and support fat loss,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these20 Superfoods for People Over 50.

Dylan Hornof dylanjfit
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you just getting started on your weight loss journey and are overwhelmed by all the advice you are getting? According to one expert, there is a simple, foolproof approach. Dylan Hornof is a personal trainer and fitness coach who transformed her body and helps others do the same. In a new social media post, she reveals that a handful of habits were instrumental in her weight loss. “5 things I’ve done to lose 20lbs and keep it off for years,” she writes in the post.

Drinking Less Alcohol

You might consider putting down the bottle if you are drinking your calories. Dylan reveals that drinking less helped her lose more weight. “I worked through my relationship with alcohol - I had to break the habit of drinking multiple days on the weekend,” she said. There is another non-weight-related benefit. “This helped me lose lbs and lower a lot of inflammation in my body and face)” she says.

Walking More

Dylan also recommends walking. “A walk a day (move your body more) it’s that simple. We are not meant to sit all day. Outside, on a treadmill - get your steps in!” she says. How much should you walk for weight loss, according to science? A 2018 study published in Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure, and fewer strokes.

Eating Consistently

It can be tempting to starve yourself to lose weight. However, Dylan points out that you need to fuel your body. “Ate MORE food consistently. Hear me out - when you’re eating 1,200 calories and falling off all the time you’re not going see results. Up your calories and find consistency with your food,” she says.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Strength Training with Purpose

Dylan points out that you should focus on quality over quantity in your strength training workout. “I train with purpose. My weight lifting is intentional - I push myself and challenge myself with the weights I use,” she says.

Focusing on Whole Foods

And finally, she cleaned up her diet. “I stopped hitting my macros with whatever food I could fit in. I choose to eat 90% whole foods everyday (I do believe in balance and I am a huge foodie - you CAN fit ‘fun’ foods in) but focusing on more clean foods helped me feel less ‘puffy’.” she writes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Jenna Bernhardt jennabernhardt10
Copyright jennabernhardt10/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to lose weight but don’t want to give up fast food? According to one expert, you don’t have to! Jenna Bernhardt is a fat loss coach and personal trainer who gained and lost 35 to 40 pounds during her three pregnancies. In a new social media post, she reveals her go-to fast food meals that can help you lose weight. “It’s sometimes nice to just go grab fast food! But what if you have goals to hit!? A certain calorie range to stay in? Believe it or not- It can be done!” she writes. “My favorite fast food under 300 calories.”

Chick-fil-A

  • Egg white grill has 290 calories, 8g of fat, and 26g of protein
  • Greek Yogurt Parfait with granola has 270 calories, 9g of fat, and 13g of protein
  • 5 count of nuggets is 160 calories, 7g of fat, and 17g of protein
  • 8 count of nuggets is 250 calories, 11g of fat, and 27g of protein
  • 2 count of Chick-fil-A chicken strips is 200 calories, 9g of fat, and 19g of protein
  • A small mac n cheese bowl is 270 calories, 17g of fat, and 12g of protein
  • A bowl of chicken noodle soup is 255 calories, 5.5g of fat, and 16g of protein.

Starbucks

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  • The reduced fat turkey bacon breakfast sandwich is 230 calories, 5g of fat, and 17g of protein.
  • The spinach, feta, and egg white wrap is 290 calories, 8g of fat and 20g of protein.
  • The kale and portabella mushroom sous vide bites are 230 calories, 14g of fat, and 15g of protein.
  • The bacon and gruyere sous vide bites are 300 calories, 20g of fat, and 19g of protein.
  • Their cake pops range anywhere from 140 -170 calories
  • The marshmallow dream bar is 230 calories, 5g of fat, and 1g of protein

Subway

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  • Veggie Delite A 6-inch Veggie Delite on 9-grain bread has 200–250 calories, 2 grams of fat, made with 9-grain wheat bread and contain two servings of vegetables.
  • Any of the salads are under 300 calories WITHOUT the dressings!
  • Add extra meat to load up on protein!

Taco Bell

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All under 300 calories!

  • Grilled Chicken soft shell fresco style
  • Crunchy Taco with beef fresco style
  • Grilled Steak taco fresco style
  • Veggie Power Bowl- no rice or ranch

Taco John’s

Taco John's exterior and sign. Taco John's is fast-food restaurant featuring Mexican-inspired fast-food.

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  • Crispy Taco, Chicken: 160 calories
  • Softshell Taco, Chicken: 210 calories
  • Street Taco, Chicken: 170 calories
  • Potato Oles-1/2 a small order 250😉

McDonald’s

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  • Egg McMuffin has 300 calories, 12g of fat, and 17g of protein
  • One hash brown has 150 calories, 9g of fat, and 1g of protein
  • 4 piece chicken nuggets has 190 calories, 12g of fat, and 9g of protein and the 6 piece has 280 calories, 18g of fat, 13g of protein
  • Plain hamburger has 250 calories, 9g of fat, and 12g of protein
  • Cheeseburger has 300 calories, 13g of fat, and 15g of protein
  • One sausage burrito has 300 calories, 16g of fat, and 12g of protein.
  • Fruit and maple oatmeal has 290 calories, 4.5g of fat, and 5g of protein
And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear

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