10 Things That Will Help You Lose Weight Now

I am a mom of three, and just like many women out there, I have vivid memories of carrying each baby in my womb. However, the most visible reminder is a thick layer of fat all over my body. I’m pretty sure most moms know exactly what I’m talking about! I have to say it’s taken me a lot of hard work to get rid of that fat. Yes, I admit I still have some, but the good news is that you can get rid of it. Here’s how I’m doing it.

Subscribe and join me on a health and fitness journey!

Click to tweet this post

I know that there’s some lucky moms out there who had no trouble getting back in shape after pregnancy. Sadly, I am not one of them. Breastfeeding did nothing for me. Neither did wraps and girdles. I’m telling you, fat can be really stubborn!

I know I am not the skinniest person in the world, but I have been able to slim down from size 13 pants to a size 5. I can also wear a button-down that I hadn’t been able to button in more than 8 years! If you are struggling with extra weight, I can tell you that it’s perfectly possible to shake it off.

So what did I do to lose 55 pounds after having three babies? Just a few simple things I’m still doing.

10 Things That Will Help You Lose Weight Now

1. I drink 8 glasses of water a day

Drinking water helps you get rid of water retention, which will make your belly a little flatter. It’s true that the more water you drink, the more you have to go to the bathroom. But I think the pros outweigh the cons on this one. Drinking water makes you feel and look better, so there are no excuses for not doing it. I drink a glass of water when I wake up, before every meal, and all day long. Soda, fruit juice, and lattes no longer have a place in my life. Unwanted pounds don’t either.

2. I don’t eat processed food

Quite simply, I no longer eat the following foods on a regular basis- cookies, muffins, cupcakes, chips, white bread, takeout pizza and burgers, store-bought ice cream, instant soup, movie or microwave popcorn, ham and hot-dogs, frozen or TV dinners, creamy salad dressings, pancakes, waffles, breakfast cereal, granola bars, flavored yogurt, soda, lattes, and diet products. I know you won’t like me saying so, but that kind of food is crap and you have to stop eating it. Honestly, if you think you can’t live without junk food, then your problem is bigger than just losing a few pounds.

Ok, I have to admit sometimes I treat myself to some ice cream and a hot-dog, but that happens maybe once in a couple of months. I like junk food, I just don’t make it a part of my everyday menu.

3. I eat nutritious food

I started eating food I had to cook. Instead of having cereal for breakfast, I cook a veggie omelette or oatmeal. Instead of a sandwich and a latte for lunch, I have a green smoothie or a salad. Instead of ordering takeout for dinner, I cook meat, chicken or fish with veggies. On meatless days, I have beans or lentils. If the kids are in the mood for a treat, we cook our own pizza or burgers, even our own fries. It’s really not that hard when you get the hang of it, and you can save a load of money too. Don’t tell yourself you can’t eat something. Instead, tell yourself you’re going to eat something nutritious and delicious.

4. I do HIIT and strength workouts

I was not a fan of exercise, until I started doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and lifting weights. Walking and doing light exercise were a good start for me, but I had to do something a lot more intense to keep melting off the pounds. The great thing about doing HIIT workouts and circuit training is that it doesn’t take long, about less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a busy person like me. I didn’t start doing burpees and jump lunges right away, but I worked up to it and it’s made me fitter and stronger. It’s worth it, believe me.

5. I have a reason to change

To get healthy, you need to have commitment, motivation, perseverance, and will power. You’re going to face setbacks, obstacles, and failure. In order to get through all that, you’re going to need a powerful reason to change your lifestyle. And you can’t say you want to lose weight just to look good in clothes, or to be more attractive. That’s not going to cut it. For me, being healthy is a powerful enough reason. I’ve seen what diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain can do to a person, and it’s not pretty. I don’t want that, so I work out and eat healthy. It’s simple. 

6. I motivate myself everyday

Some days, I wake up ready to do my workout. Other days, I just want to curl up in my bed and forget about it. That’s where motivation comes in. You need a daily dose if you want to stay on the right track. I never thought I would, but I collect motivational quotes on Pinterest and share them in my social media. I listen to songs that will motivate me. I stay away from negative people. I do everything I can to think positive thoughts. This is really important! I have to keep myself motivated or I will just fall back on my old bad habits. I take it one day at a time. 

7. I don’t hate my body anymore

I used to avoid looking at myself in the mirror because it made me feel depressed. I hated my fat rolls and my big cheeks and belly. But you know what? That didn’t do me any good. I decided to stop hating my body because I realized it’s actually pretty badass. It takes me everywhere, it’s strong, it grew my babies. How could I keep destroying it with crash diets, junk food, and hours in front of the TV? My body was not in good shape, but that was because I was not treating it right. It needed good nutrition and exercise, so that’s what I gave it. Start loving yourself, and great things will happen.

8. I’m not afraid of trying new things

I confess I used to hate doing exercise, but I discovered HIIT and now I love it. I used to think chia seeds and green smoothies were gross, but I tried them and it turns out they’re amazing. I thought I couldn’t live without dessert, but I’ve realized that life can be beautiful without so much sugar in it. Don’t be afraid to try something new. I wanted to change my body, so I had to start doing different things. If you want to keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you’re always going to have the same belly. It’s your choice.

9. I set goals and deadlines

I’m always trying to find a new fitness or nutrition challenge to take on. I love taking part in a challenge because by the end of it, I’m able to do something I couldn’t do before. Deadlines are also important because they keep you committed to a goal. If I don’t have a deadline, I get distracted and forget about what the goal was in the first place. I like to write down a workout plan, with a goal and a deadline, so I can keep my focus. Even if I don’t make the deadline, I’ll still have accomplished something.

10. I plan and prep

Every week, I write down a list of the ingredients I need to buy to prepare three healthy meals everyday. I wash and prep fruits and veggies so they can be easily available to grab and eat. I organize my schedule so I’ll always have time to work out. Organization is key so I can keep my health and fitness plan. If I didn’t plan my meals, it would be easier to simply grab a bag of chips to munch on when I’m in a hurry. If I didn’t organize my schedule, I would give up on working out because I would never have the time. Most people just give up on being healthy because they lack planning. Planning and prepping are the key to success!

That’s it!

This is all you have to do to burn off that stubborn fat.

• Drink lots of water
• Say good-bye to processed food
• Eat nutritious, natural food
• Do HIIT and strength workouts
• Think of a powerful reason to change
• Motivate yourself everyday
• Don’t hate your body
• Don’t be afraid of trying new things
• Set goals and deadlines
• Plan and prep

It’s really not that complicated, isn’t it? The hard part is being patient and sticking to the plan, because those pounds won’t come off quickly. But you know what? Don’t give up, because whatever healthy changes you make, no matter how small, will benefit you immensely. 

If I can do it, you can too!

Do you have any tips and tricks that help you keep a fitness plan? Comment below!

Featured post at