Basics 8 Easy Ways to Lose Weight By Jennifer R. Scott Jennifer R. Scott is a weight loss writer. She designed her own successful weight loss plan, which helped her safely lose 50 pounds in about a year. Learn about our editorial process Jennifer R. Scott Reviewed by Reviewed by Mia Syn, MS, RDN on December 17, 2020 instagram Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. Learn about our Review Board Mia Syn, MS, RDN Updated on December 18, 2020 Print Did you know that there are easy ways to lose weight? Not everyone has the money for an expensive commercial diet, a personal trainer or meal delivery service. And you may not have the willpower to stick to calorie-counting for the long haul. But that doesn't mean that you can't change your body. Use these easy ways to lose weight without the fuss or the expense. 1 Learn to Read Labels Tetra Images / Getty Images The easiest way to lose weight is to pay attention to food labels. If you want to count calories successfully you need this skill. You should know how to find a food's caloric content and more importantly, its serving size. But be careful because some of the numbers are not always accurate. Comparing labels is crucial for making the healthiest choices required to lose weight. 2 Eat Nutritious Snacks Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman You can help prevent overeating and maintain blood sugar levels by eating a balanced, nutritious snack about every three hours. Getting too hungry will backfire on your efforts to eat better and practice portion control. Make sure you know how many calories should come from snacks, then aim for a healthful, satisfying snack, such as an apple and some reduced-fat cheddar cheese. 3 Curb Hunger With Fiber Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Fiber-rich foods do more than provide nutrients that improve your health and reduce your risk for disease. They can also help you lose weight. They're naturally low in calories, so you can eat more of them and have less room in your diet for less healthful foods. Plus, the fiber in whole-grain foods and produce will help you feel fuller longer (which helps you control portions and avoid eating when you're not hungry) and as a result, lose weight. 4 Eat Balanced, Nutritious Meals Eat a healthy protein meal. Digital Vision One of the worst ways to lose weight? Skipping meals. Many people think that skipping a meal or two is a great way to cut calories. But in the end, they often fail to lose weight. You'll be more likely to overeat or even binge eat if you do not eat regular meals. Plan healthy meals that keep your healthy eating plan in place. 5 Drink Plenty of Water mconnors/morguefile Water helps you lose weight in several ways. First, drinking more water may help alleviate bloating. In addition, replacing drinks that cause weight gain with water cuts hundreds of calories. In fact, if you do the math, you'll be surprised at the number of calories you can lose and dollars you can save by ditching soda! Don't wait until you're feeling thirsty to drink water. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger, causing you to overeat. Don't like water? Try making fruit- and herb-infused flavored water to satisfy your cravings. 6 Move More Often moodboard/ Cultura/ Getty Images It is difficult to lose weight and keep it off without exercising regularly. But you don't have to exercise hard to lose weight. Just add more physical activity to your day. Start out today by taking a brisk walk home from the grocery store or learn how to bike to lose weight. Work your way up from 10 minutes to 30 or 40 minutes a day, most days a week, to see benefits. Plus, exercise boosts your metabolism, making it even easier to lose weight. 7 Practice Portion Control clearstockconcepts / Getty Images Measuring food may seem like a chore, but it will prove invaluable in your efforts to lose weight. But you don't have to weigh everything you eat. If you don't have a handy scale, use your hand to measure portions. There are certain foods that are easy to overeat and you may find you usually consume two or even three times the recommended serving. By measuring your food before you eat it, you'll make sure you're eating the right amount. 8 Write It Down Westend61/ Getty Images What's the most important thing you should do if you want to lose weight? Keep a food diary. All you have to do is jot down what, when, and how much you eat in a notebook. A food diary will give you a clear picture of your current eating habits so you can identify the changes you need to make to lose weight. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit