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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.

Woman Lost Weight and Transformed Her Body in 5 Easy Steps

One weight loss warrior reveals the changes she made to lose weight.

Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 05, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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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.

Breanna Henry breehenryy
Copyright breehenryy/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 05, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
✓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.

Nutrition & Diet

Are you struggling on your weight loss journey? One weight loss warrior shares her effective, step-by-step approach to her impressive transformation. Breanna Henry is a swimwear and activewear founder who lost weight and transformed her body, regularly sharing about how she did it on social media. In a new post, she offers some tips. “How to transform your body in five easy steps,” she writes in the Instagram post.

You Need to Break Your Old Habits

“HOW I FINALLY LOST THE WEIGHT AND KEPT IT OFF!!!” she continues. “Maybe ‘easy’ isn’t the word. It will be difficult to break the old habits you’ve instilled. But they’re simple rules,” she says. “My weight fluctuated for years and I always felt like I had to ‘cut’ or ‘diet.’”

These 5 Changes Helped Her Lose Weight

“Once I made these 5 changes, I’ve been able to lose the weight. Anytime it feels like I’m putting weight on, I evaluate where I’m slipping up with one of these and get back on track and I’m good to go,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be difficult and confusing. Dumb it down and get it done.”

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

Step One: Improve Sleep

The first step is to improve sleep. “Cold temperature at night and sleep in less clothing magnesium before bed. I mask to make it dark. No phone in bed,” she continues. “Charge it in another room. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same times every day. Sunlight in your eyes, first thing in the morning.”

Step Two: Eat Regularly

Her second step has to do with nutrition. “Eat to prevent crazy glucose spikes. Eat greens first, then protein and fats, then carbs. Never eat carbs by themselves. Decrease overall sugar intake,” she says.

Step Three: Eat More Protein

Her third step? Amp up your protein intake. “Eat more protein. Eat as much meat, fish and eggs as you please,” she says.

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

Step Four: Focus Your Diet Around Whole Foods

Step four? Most of your diet should be whole foods like meat, fish, eggs, fruit, and veggies. “Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store where things have to be refrigerated. Foods that don't have ingredient labels,” she says.

Step Five: Exercise

The final step is “balanced training,” she says. “Strength train two to three days a week. Some form of endurance training once a week, 10 to 15,000 steps per day. The remaining of exercise to be lower intensity, Pilates, yoga, something fun outdoors. Occasional HIIT workouts to challenge yourself, but not multiple times per week. Allow time for recovery. Better to train harder on fewer days. Exercise doesn't have to be the gem. It can be pickleball, roller skating, long walks with friends, run club to socialize.”

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Nutrition & Diet

She Transformed Her Body in 5 Easy Steps

Breanna Henry breehenryy
Copyright breehenryy/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 05, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
Follow:
✓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 struggling on your weight loss journey? One weight loss warrior shares her effective, step-by-step approach to her impressive transformation. Breanna Henry is a swimwear and activewear founder who lost weight and transformed her body, regularly sharing about how she did it on social media. In a new post, she offers some tips. “How to transform your body in five easy steps,” she writes in the Instagram post.

You Need to Break Your Old Habits

“HOW I FINALLY LOST THE WEIGHT AND KEPT IT OFF!!!” she continues. “Maybe ‘easy’ isn’t the word. It will be difficult to break the old habits you’ve instilled. But they’re simple rules,” she says. “My weight fluctuated for years and I always felt like I had to ‘cut’ or ‘diet.’”

These 5 Changes Helped Her Lose Weight

“Once I made these 5 changes, I’ve been able to lose the weight. Anytime it feels like I’m putting weight on, I evaluate where I’m slipping up with one of these and get back on track and I’m good to go,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be difficult and confusing. Dumb it down and get it done.”

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

Step One: Improve Sleep

The first step is to improve sleep. “Cold temperature at night and sleep in less clothing magnesium before bed. I mask to make it dark. No phone in bed,” she continues. “Charge it in another room. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same times every day. Sunlight in your eyes, first thing in the morning.”

Step Two: Eat Regularly

Her second step has to do with nutrition. “Eat to prevent crazy glucose spikes. Eat greens first, then protein and fats, then carbs. Never eat carbs by themselves. Decrease overall sugar intake,” she says.

Step Three: Eat More Protein

Her third step? Amp up your protein intake. “Eat more protein. Eat as much meat, fish and eggs as you please,” she says.

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

Step Four: Focus Your Diet Around Whole Foods

Step four? Most of your diet should be whole foods like meat, fish, eggs, fruit, and veggies. “Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store where things have to be refrigerated. Foods that don't have ingredient labels,” she says.

Step Five: Exercise

The final step is “balanced training,” she says. “Strength train two to three days a week. Some form of endurance training once a week, 10 to 15,000 steps per day. The remaining of exercise to be lower intensity, Pilates, yoga, something fun outdoors. Occasional HIIT workouts to challenge yourself, but not multiple times per week. Allow time for recovery. Better to train harder on fewer days. Exercise doesn't have to be the gem. It can be pickleball, roller skating, long walks with friends, run club to socialize.”

Nutrition & Diet

Woman Lost 38 Pounds After 45 With Daily Walks and These 2 Simple Changes

Melissa_Chiappone2
Copyright mel.chips.fit/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothOct 28, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
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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.

Do you want to lose weight simply by making a few simple changes? Melissa Chiappone, AKA Mel the Midlife Health & Fitness Coach, lost 38 pounds in her late 40s and helps other women do the same. In a new social media post, she delves into her transformation, revealing what it took to slim down. “Doing three things consistently for the last five years has changed my entire life!

At 45, She Weighed 171 Pounds

Melissa explains that she used to struggle with weight. “Just 5 years ago, at age 45, I weighed 171 lbs at 5’7”. I was heavier than I had been while I was pregnant. I blamed it on hormones and perimenopause,” she says in the post.

These Were Her Unhealthy Habits

“I was eating salad almost every single day, but I would binge at night. I was running 3 miles almost every single day. I was drinking 3-4 times a week. I’d buy box wine because I wouldn’t drink a single bottle, and it works. It just goes to waste (at least that’s what I told myself, but it was always available),” she continues.

Now She Is Almost 50 and Weighs 133 Pounds

However, she decided to change her life. “Fast forward 5 years to the present, and I will turn 50 in November,” she writes. “I weigh 133 pounds. I feel and look better than I did in my 20s,” she writes.

Here Is What She Did

Melissa changed her approach to exercise and diet. “I repaired my relationship with food. I gave up running and started walking. I rarely eat salad! I drink 3-4/month if that,” she reveals.

She Walked at Least 8,000 Steps a Day

“Doing these three things consistently changed my entire life,” she says. “These three things can change your life too. I promise.” The first thing she did? “Walking 8k steps minimum each day (usually aim for 10k),” she says.

She Lifted Weights

Melissa also incorporated strength training into her routine. “Started weight training a minimum of 4 times per week,” she says. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

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

She Amped Up Her Protein Intake

She also amped up her protein intake. “Started prioritizing protein and Whole Foods, but don’t restrict any foods,” she concluded. 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.

Building Strength Is Key, She Says in Another Post

In another post, she discusses the importance of building strength. “Strong is the new confidence! If your goal is to be strong and confident in midlife and beyond, keep reading! Forget the old ideas of what confidence looks like. In midlife, it’s all about being STRONG,” she writes.

RELATED: This Mom Lost 135 Pounds Without Exercise and These Are the Foods She Cut Out

It Helps Build Confidence

“The truth is, when you build physical strength, your confidence follows naturally. It’s not just about how you look—it’s about what your body can do. Every rep, every set, and every step forward is a reminder of your power and resilience. This is empowerment!” she continues.

And, Changes Your Mindset

“When you focus on getting stronger, you’re not just changing your muscles—you’re changing your mindset. Strong women aren’t just confident in their bodies, and they’re confident in their lives. Long gone are the days of women wanting to be skinny!” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 35 Pounds by Doing These 5 Things

Kiana Monle kianamonle
Copyright kianamonle/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 22, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Are you struggling to achieve your weight loss goals? Kiana Monle is a holistic wellness influencer who dropped over 30 pounds and shares her tips and tricks on social media. In a new post, she reveals a few things she did to drop weight. “Before, I felt heavy. I was uncomfortable in my body and was sick of hovering around the same weight for years on end. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired! So I made some changes. BIG ones,” she says in the post, revealing five things she did to lose 35 pounds.

She Got Into a Calorie Deficit

The first thing she did was get into a calorie deficit. “For the first 6 months, I meticulously tracked my calories. I know this isn't for everyone, but it was so helpful to know how much I was eating, and how much I had left to play around with. IMO, this was the biggest game changer,” she says.

RELATED: 10-Min Walking Workout Burns Fat at Home, Says Coach

She Went “Back to Basics”

Next, she went “back to basics,” she says. “I used to eat a ton of sweets. It became a cycle, and my weight soared. To reset, I went back to the basics--whole foods , no cakes or cookies. Yes, that first few days were tough (almost caved for some insomnia cookies) but it was worth it. After a week or so I stopped craving so many sweets. I also started to enjoy whole foods more. I later re-introduced cakes, cookies, etc!”

She Exercised

She also started to exercise. “I've always been somewhat active when it came to workouts, but as someone who worked from home, I got maaaybe 1K steps in a day. To move more, I worked out 3X a week (doing @heatherrobertsoncom 's 12 week program) and later added walks 5X a week. Once I finished the plan, I did the second one for a bit before ditching, lifting altogether, and focused on cardio (my fave),” she says.

She Treated Herself to “Daily Fun Foods”

Next, she started treating herself to “daily fun foods,” she reveals. “I reset my palate, but I still kept things fun. My daily treat would be popcorn and a chocolate truffle (huge fan of both!).”

RELATED: 17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

She Focused on Consistency

Finally, she focused on consistency. “Daily commitment was key. For those first 6 months, when I lost 20 pounds, I would stick to my eating and workout plan. No cheat days, no going off script. I simply built in rest days, and if I ate out, I'd have it fit into my daily calories,” she writes.

She Is Now Focused on Balance

“Now as I maintain my goal weight, it's about finding balance,” she reveals at the end of the post. “It's not always easy, but I'm excited to document it here!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Nutrition & Diet

She Dropped 60 Pounds in 3 Months, Here’s How

Samantha_Costa6
Samantha Costa/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJun 27, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓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.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, it can seem hopeless and impossible. However, Samantha Costa, a 23-year-old influencer, lost a whopping 60 pounds in 3 months. In a viral YouTube video, she explains exactly how she did it, and a lot of it had to do with shifting her perspective and overall approach to weight loss.

Losing 60 Pounds in 6 Months with PCOS

Samantha_CostaSamantha Costa/YouTube

She starts with her backstory: In 2018 she was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which resulted in weight gain. “I fluctuate weight a lot and it also affects my periods. With that being said, because I was diagnosed with PCOS, I put on a lot of weight very fast, and it wasn't a type of weight that was healthy,” she said. Costa, who is five-foot-one, topped the scale at around 200 pounds. “Being in a place where I knew I wasn't healthy was really scaring me.” At the time she was able to drop 50 to 60 pounds in “five to six months” by going to Orangetherory and eating right. “I think I weighed around 196 pounds and I got down to around 135,” she specified.

Related: #1 Way to Flatten Your Stomach for Women, According to a Pelvic Floor Expert

The Power of Whole Grains

Wholemeal,Fusilli,Pasta,Whole, GrainsShutterstock

Her main dietary change at the time involved swapping out white carbs with whole grain and whole wheat. “I literally had grilled chicken, pasta, grated cheese, and tomato sauce every single day because that's what made me happy,” she said. After graduating from college in May 2022, “and I honestly was a very steady weight of around probably 129 pounds to 140 throughout all of my senior year of college,” she felt like she was at a healthy weight for herself around 135 pounds. She spent the summer lifeguarding. “I was having a really fun time, and honestly everything was going very well,” she continued.

A Stressful Job Ruined Her Health and Happiness

Samantha_Costa2Samantha Costa/YouTube

However, in August she started her “big job at a big four company” and it was “the downfall of everything,” she claims. “I'm not going to talk too much about it, but the stress of that job, which I am no longer working in, was very, very hard for me.” She stopped working out and spent most of her free time isolating. Over a period of about 7 months she probably gained 60 to 70 pounds, and was “very, very sad,” she says. “I wasn't happy with how I looked and I was having a hard time with it, but it was more that I knew I wasn't healthy and I knew I needed to get healthy because of this. I would always tell myself, ‘You know what? You did it once. You can definitely do it again.’”

From 10,000 Steps to 500

Young adult woman walking up the stairs with sun sport background.Shutterstock/siam.pukkato

She couldn’t motivate herself to go to fitness studio again, “something that I used to love going to do,” she says. While she used to walk 10,000 steps a day, she “was lucky if I hit probably 500 steps a day because I was always at my computer, always doing something for work, and there was really just no time for me to do it.”

She Lost 10 Pounds in a Week and Kept Going

Woman,,Balance,Weight,Scale,health,scalesShutterstock

Every day she looked in the mirror and told herself “in three months from now, you will look so much better. You'll feel so much better, which is the most important, and you will want to do things because you started.” Eventually she started seeing progress, claiming that she lost 10 pounds in one week, which she knew was water weight. Within a few weeks she noticed a “little bit of a difference” and once she started to see that difference, “it was a lot easier to believe in myself and notice that there was real progress happening and that there was change happening, which allowed me to keep going within my journey.”

Related: 11 Shoulder-Sculpting Workouts for Impressive Definition

The Secrets to Her Success

Healthy,Eating,Food,Low,Carb,Keto,Ketogenic,Diet,Meal,Plan,salmon,avocado,egg, broccoliShutterstock

She revealed that she did keto, which is “very hard to sustain,” she admits. “It was very hard for me to eat a certain amount of carbs every single day, and it was very hard for me to cut out sugar. I'm someone who loves sugar, but I knew that in order to be in a healthy place again, and in order to get to my goal in the most efficient way, especially with summer coming up, I needed to do something that would really change and really allow my body to adapt.” She also emphasizes the importance of protein. “Eating carbs is something that obviously we all need. I am not saying don't eat carbs. Please eat your macros. Please eat carbs. Please allow yourself to have the energy that you need. I'm just saying what I did was I lowered the amount of carbs that I ate, but I was still eating enough to feel energized to be able to go to the gym and to give my body what it needs.”

She Increased Intake of Proteins and Exercised

ChickenGrill,grilled,bbq,breast,meat,proteinShutterstock

Amping up your protein intake may help you lose weight. 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. She also went back to fitness studio four to five times a week, starting with gentle workouts and working her way up to more intense ones. She also recommends taking rest days.

Stay Motivated and Positive on Your Journey

Samantha_Costa5sam.costaa/Instagram

“In the beginning, you're probably going to feel like you can't do it and it's probably going to feel impossible, and if you are someone who doesn't feel like that, I give you so much credit because I've been there so many times and I felt like it was impossible every single time,” she adds. “The number one thing I want to tell you is to prove yourself wrong. Prove every single person that may have doubted you wrong. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself. The only thing that matters is that you have the mindset that will allow you to feel better, and every single time you question yourself, make one of those videos, take progress pictures, tell yourself that you are so much better than you were even one day ago, and if you are really having trouble starting, just try for one day.”

Related: Fitness Expert's $5 a Day Meal Plan for Fat Loss

💪🔥Body Booster: Increasing your protein intake and decreasing your carbohydrates is a scientifically backed tactic for weight loss. However, you still need a sufficient amount of carbs to stay energized.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 100 Pounds in 12 Months With These 6 Steps

liza marie pasquale lizamarie_fit
Copyright Liza Marie Fit/Facebook
Ferozan Mast
By Ferozan MastMay 04, 2025
Ferozan Mast
Writer
Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience.
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Nutrition coach Liza (@lizamarie_fit) lost 140 pounds and kept it off—and she lost the first 100 pounds without setting foot in a gym. So, how did she not only lose the weight but maintain it three years later and counting? Liza made two simple lifestyle changes that led to 40 pounds being lost in the first couple of months alone—here’s exactly how she did it.

She Walked Every Day

 
 @lizamarie_fit I lost 100 pounds AT HOME !!! Here is my biggest weight loss tip that got me to where i am today. 140 pounds down and maintained for 3 years! #athomeweightloss #weightloss #natualweightloss #weightlosstips #100poundsdown ♬ original sound - Liza 
 
 

Liza started walking every single day, before getting an activity tracker and making sure she was hitting at least 10k steps a month. “Every single night I would walk anything from 20 minutes to 30 minutes, sometimes an hour with my best friend. And I did that for two months,” she says. “That is the first time I ever saw a chunk of weight go down.”

No More Junk Food

Liza cut out junk food and started eating at home. “I was eating the majority of meals at home and I was walking every day,” she says. Studies show people who cook and eat at home tend to make healthier choices.

Calorie Deficit

Thanks to Liza’s walking and diet, she had a calorie deficit, which is crucial to weight loss. “It’s the secret sauce for weight loss,” she says. “When it comes down to losing weight, it doesn’t need to be that complicated.”

Working Out

Liza started working out a couple of months into her weight loss journey, excited by the progress she was making. “I would do around two to three at-home workouts a week,” she says. “Which is why I love all my ‘shy girl’ workouts that I share, just to prove to women that you don’t need a crazy gym membership. You don’t need to be doing the craziest workouts to see results.”

Tracking Macros

Liza started tracking the carbs, fat, and protein in her food after she lost 80 pounds and wanted to learn more about nutrition. “I was like let’s hop on the train, let’s take this even further,” she says. “I’m still weighing a lot, I’m still in the 200s, and I want to get to one-derland.”

Protein Goals

Liza focused on maintaining her calorie deficit and hitting her protein goals. “I was trying really hard to hit my protein goal and I was trying really hard to stay within my calorie deficit but I was not perfect,” she says. “There were days when I went over a bit, there were days I went under a bit.”

Realistic Goals

Liza wasn’t hard on herself during her weight loss journey. “If you are striving for perfection, you are setting yourself up for failure,” she says. “Doing little things one by one over time and not giving up is what got me here today.”

Body booster: The simplest changes, when made consistent and sustainable, yield results. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days

Beautiful woman checking her body shape in a mirror.
15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 Days
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Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
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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.

Depending on your starting weight, losing five to 10 pounds in a month is possible to do in a healthy way. Making a few specific lifestyle and dietary changes and sticking to them will positively impact overall health as well as encourage weight loss. “The foundation of successful weight loss remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.” Here are 15 daily habits shown to help lose up to ten pounds in 30 days.

Eliminate Empty Calories

People clinking glasses with wine on the summer terrace of cafe or restaurantShutterstock

Alcohol is full of empty calories, so it’s best to cut down or simply stop drinking it altogether. Every calorie counts when you’re trying to lose weight, so make sure you use those calories to fill your body with healthy, nutrient-dense choices. Drinking too much also disrupts sleep.

Are You Actually Hungry?

Man eats, eating​What To Do InsteadShutterstock

Eat when you’re hungry, and only when you’re hungry. “Listening to your hunger works much better than relying on willpower,” Kayla Kopp, RD, LD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “When you’re tempted to overeat, have a conversation with yourself: Are you feeling hungry, are you bored or are you feeling emotional? Will eating right now get you closer to your goal?”

Work Out First Thing

Close up woman hand doing push ups exercise in a gym in morning, sunlight effect.​Progress to Full Push-upsShutterstock

Working out first thing in the morning means you don’t have to make time for it later. It also starts the day off on a good note. No excuses!

Don’t Skip Breakfast

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Studies show people who eat breakfast (provided it’s a healthy one) make better food choices for the rest of the day. "Studies have found that although people who skip breakfast eat slightly fewer calories during the day, they tend to have higher body mass index, or BMI," Christy C. Tangney, PhD, tells Rush University Medical Center.

Take the Stairs

Determined woman running up on seaside mountain stairs​Regular ExerciseShutterstock

Walk as much as possible—park away from the grocery store entrance and take the stairs when possible. Walking will encourage fat burning and mental wellness, and you can do it throughout the day, no equipment needed.

Count Your Calories

Calories Nutrition Food Exercise ConceptShutterstock

This one is boring but crucial—to lose weight, you need to take in less calories than you’re burning off. “For example, to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week — a rate that experts consider safe — your food consumption should provide 500 to 1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories,” says Harvard Health.

Try Intermittent Fasting

Skip breakfast concept with no symbol and clock on plate, Intermittent FastingShutterstock

Intermittent fasting can be a powerful weight loss tool for some. “The weight loss effects of time-restricted eating derive primarily from achieving a negative energy balance,” Richard Joseph, MD, tells Harvard Health. “If you maintain your regular diet and then limit the time window during which you eat, it is likely that you will eat a few hundred fewer calories per day.”

No Nighttime Snacking

woman eats sweets at night to sneak in a refrigerator. Fridge​Breaking Free from Food ObsessionShutterstock

Snacking can undermine your healthy eating weight loss plan. “Try to eat most of your daily calories before sitting down to relax for the night,” Kopp tells the Cleveland Clinic. “Many of us have a tendency to overeat without thinking about it while we watch TV after dinner, and we tend to forget just how much we’ve had before calling it a night.”

Be Picky About Carbs

Healthy Food: Best Sources of Carbs on a wooden table. Top viewTop 5 Clean Carbs for Your BodyShutterstock

You don’t have to eliminate carbs—but be choosy about them. “Not all carbohydrates are created equal,” says Corewell Health. “Eating a slice of white bread won’t give your body the same nutrition as eating a slice of whole grain bread. When you’re looking for options for carbohydrates, look at the ingredients. If the first ingredient is a whole grain (like whole wheat), you’re going in the right direction.”

Eliminate Temptation

Fast food concept. Unhealthy food. Unhealthy food and fast food with donuts, chocolate, burgers and sweets top view​Hopping “On and Off” the WagonShutterstock

Keep junk food out of sight and out of mind. “Don’t keep problem foods around the house and/or at work,” says UC Davis Health. A problem food is a food that you are likely to eat too much of or too often if readily available.”

Get Enough Sleep

Top View Home: Handsome Young Man Sleeps in His Bed in a Stylish Bedroom, Sun Shines on Him. Morning Concept. Peaceful Sleeping and Relaxation, Important for Wellness . Top Down Above ShotShutterstock

Sleep is important for weight loss. “No one can make mindful food choices when they’re tired. Even missing an hour of sleep can increase your appetite because your body is craving that energy and food is fuel for your body,” psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “You need a clear, focused head to make healthier food choices.”

Lift Weights

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“Resistance training can also be a really effective way of losing weight," Tessa Strain, physical activity epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, tells The Telegraph. “All weight loss comes down to a calories in/calories out equation. resistance training is a really effective way of losing weight because you’re expending energy, which involves burning calories.”

Manage Stress

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Stress can undermine your weight loss efforts. “More commonly, people turn to — or away from — food as a way to help deal with stress,” says Penn Medicine. “Your metabolism can change if you regularly eat large amounts of food or don’t eat enough or at all.”

No Junk Food

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Ultra-processed foods are terrible for weight loss. Not only will they not fill you up, they could make you hungrier. “Processed and fast foods contain enhanced ingredients that hit the dopamine center in your brain and make you want more,” Dr. Albers tells the Cleveland Clinic. “They are designed to be addictive to the brain.”

Drink More Water

Fitness woman drinking water from bottle. Muscular young female taking a break from workout outside.​HydrateShutterstock

Choose water over high-calorie drinks. “Sometimes we respond to thirst signals by eating — when actually what our bodies want is water,” Dr. Albers explains. “It’s easy to confuse our thirst and hunger signals, or to override thirst signals.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Focusing on long-term health and wellness will make weight loss easier.

Fitness & Workouts

The Simple Walking Routine That Helped Me Lose 40 Pounds

Alexandra_alexx.fitt
This Woman Lost 40 Pounds After Quitting These 5 Common Habits Forever
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Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
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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.

Can you lose a significant amount of weight just by walking every day? Yes, absolutely! Not only does walking burn fat, help lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels, but it also does wonders for your mental state as well. “You need to make it part of your routine,” exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. tells Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. “This is about adjusting your lifestyle for your health.” TikTok influencer Alex ( @alex.fitt) lost 40 pounds just by walking—here’s how she did it.

Don’t Start Big

 
 @alexx.fitt Step by step walk it off #walking #weightloss ♬ original sound - alexx.fitt 
 
 

Alex makes the important point that it’s better to start off slow to build sustainable habits. You don’t have to kickstart your fitness regimen with two-hour walks. Even just half an hour will make a difference to your mood and your health, and encourage you to do it again the next day.

Walking After Meals

Alex says she started off her walking program by simply taking a 15 minute walk after a big meal. Research shows walking after meals can benefit blood sugar. “Exercise impacts your blood sugar quickly, often within a few minutes,” Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, CDCES, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “And over time, physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively, decreasing the insulin resistance we often see in diabetes.”

Walking In the Morning

Alex would start her day with a walk. “Getting outside gives you a chance to enjoy fresh air and nature,” says Henry Ford Health. “Walking, like any form of exercise, reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll start the day with a positive attitude, better able to manage challenges during the day.”

Long Walk After Dinner

Alex would save her long walk for after dinner, which studies show is very beneficial. “The closer we get to the evening, the less efficient our bodies are at using insulin to deal with blood glucose, making it harder to keep blood glucose levels healthy,” Dr Evelyn Parr from the Australian Catholic University’s Exercise and Nutrition Research Program tells the Sydney Morning Herald. “Yet this is when we have our biggest meal of the day.”

Smaller Waist

Alex says the biggest difference she noticed from walking was in her waist. “The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For example, you may start out as an average walker, and then work your way up to walking faster and walking a mile in a shorter amount of time than an average walker, similar to power walkers.”

Using Technology

Alex was thrilled the first time her watch buzzed when she hit 10k steps. Research shows people who track their fitness tend to be successful. “We’ve seen this rise of digital health tools in the last decade, and they provide a great way for people to access interventions to better their health,” Michele Patel, PhD, tells Stanford Medicine.

10,000 Steps a Day

No matter how long or short her walks, Alex always aims for 10,000 steps every day. “Evidence suggests that accumulating up to 10,000 steps per day is helpful for reducing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer,” John M. Jakicic, Ph.D, tells University of Kansas Medical Center. “And more recent evidence supports the benefits of reducing the risk of dementia.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Start slow and steady to build lasting habits. Even 10 minutes will make a difference.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These Popular Foods

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓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.

Denise Hamdan (@denisehamdan) is a food and fitness influencer on TikTok who regularly shares her tricks and tips on weight loss with her 71,000 followers. Hamdan lost a whopping 30 pounds by following a healthy diet and exercising. In a recent clip, she reveals her diet. “Hey y'all, here's everything I ate in one day to stay lean as someone who lost 30 pounds,” she says, revealing that she eats 1829 calories and 147 g of protein per day. Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, also weighs in.

Breakfast

“I started my morning with my breakfast cocktail of oxygen and creatine. I just added the products to my showcase. So go check them out. I have my cocktail with Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of granola,” she says. The total calories equal 157 and 14 g protein.

Lunch

“I'm in this phase where I eat nearly the same thing every day, and that's been scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and some turkey bacon on the side,” she says about her lunch. “And honestly, I'm not complaining because it hits every time. Her total calories are 562 and 52 g protein.

Green Smoothie

Sometimes she will have a smoothie instead. “I made a cute little green smoothie and it was a little messy, but it was good regardless,” she says.

Pre-Workout Snack

“Later, for a pre-workout snack, I made some cute little tuna crackers with the green onion and bell pepper,” she says about the snack totaling 430 calories and 28 g protein.

OxyShred and Pre-Workout

“Then I got to the gym and made my OxyShred and pre-workout combo before hitting cardio and abs,” she continued. “It had me sweating.”

Protein Bar

“Right after my workout I had my favorite dark chocolate pretzel protein bar,” she continued.

Dinner

“And finally for dinner I made this super easy teriyaki chicken bowl over brown rice,” she said, adding that the 560 calorie and 52 gram protein meal is “so delicious and the macros forward are amazing.”

Dessert

“Lastly, for dessert, I had some chocolate 'cause I cannot end the day without a little sweet treat,” she said about the 120 calorie sweet treat.

RDN Weighs in

tara collingwoodI'm a Nutritionist and These 9 High-Protein Snacks Keep My Clients Full While Losing 50 Pounds

Copyright Tara Collingwood

“1800-1900 calories seems like a good amount for her, but I don’t know her exact age, height, weight, or exercise level,” says Collingwood. “147 grams of protein is probably more than she needs, but it is not dangerously high.”

Try Eating More Vegetables, Expert Says

“I see a little bit of fruit on the yogurt and a tiny bit of spinach in eggs and peppers in tuna but overall not much veggie intake (green smoothie was green powder and not real whole veggies) which is proven with only 16 grams of fiber for her overall day,” Collingwood continues. “I would recommend increasing veggies to aim for 25 grams of fiber each day.” She also likes how often she is eating with the meals and snacks in between. “I do worry about the OxyShred. I couldn’t find on their website anywhere exactly how much caffeine is in it and having it later in the day could definitely impact sleep since caffeine has a 5 hour half-life,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: How much protein should you consume per day? Aim for 0.8 to one gram per pound of bodyweight. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

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