Recently I have been debating about switching to a gluten free diet however – and while discussing it with a friend decided that it would be silly to try and start it now, before the holidays.

But then I thought more and more about how sometimes I really do feel like I have a gluten intolerance (go down the checklist symptoms and I think I have almost all of them!) and as I looked around at the foods in my house I thought, if I can’t eat this stuff and it is causing my body distress, why wait?

And so, two weeks before Christmas, two weeks of holiday parties, family celebrations, and all that tasty food (resisting those appetizers is not easy!) I decided to start on the gluten free diet.

If I’ve been quiet around here it’s mostly because I’ve been doing a lot of research – not to mention completely learning how to cook again! Gluten intolerance means you can’t eat any wheat, barley, or rye – or anything made with these products – which means just about everything you’re used to no longer applies.

But I couldn’t wait to start the new diet. And I’m honestly so glad that I didn’t. I feel better than I did when I completely gave up sugar the first time – and while if you don’t have a gluten intolerance it likely won’t maje that significant of a difference for you – it does show that you shouldn’t wait to be more healthier.

If you’re waiting until next year to lose weight, or waiting until after xyz time – don’t. I know it’s hard to think about missing out on a lot of foods over the holidays – but you’re missing out on something much more important – your health.

Losefree.com is going to go through some big changes over the next few weeks and I will be completely updating my free ebook that so many of you have already read. While the common principles of combining foods together and cutting out sugar will still apply, I’ll be emphasizing some new things and nutritional discoveries I’ve made over the past few weeks that will hopefully make your weight loss journey an even more successful one!

I hope you all have a great holiday – and if you’re putting off losing weight or staying in shape, you don’t have to wait until next year – you can start right now to living a better and healthier life!

Now, I’m not saying you need to completely deprive yourself – but you’ve got to be careful, or you could easily start consuming an extra few thousand calories every time you go to a party!

If you want to try to lose or maintain weight during the holidays seasons and avoid over eating, here’s some tips:

Avoid Alcohol: I stopped drinking completely a few years ago when I started having kids. There’s a lot of empty calories in alcoholic beverages, and unfortunately many people have a hard time stopping at just one drink. So what I do is just avoid it all together.

Eat a Little of Everything: I can understand wanting to try a little bit of everything – but the key here is a “little”.  Take bite sized portions of everything. Want a piece of pie? That’s fine, but eat about 1/3 of a slice instead of a giant slice and skip the whipped cream (oh, okay, have about a 1/2 teaspoon of it!) By controlling the amount you eat you can still indulge a little without worrying about all the extra fat and calories.

Don’t Go Anywhere Hungry: If you’re hungry, it’s going to be very hard to resist the urge to eat just about everything in site and eat more than what is actually necessary.  Before going to a dinner party for example, have a very light dinner to help take some of the edge off before you get there.

Say No:  When I was a kid, my grandma was world renowned for making us eat, even when you couldn’t even move from eating so much. “Eat, Eat, Eat!” While it’s hard to tell someone you can’t possibly eat anymore, you can do it – just explain you’re leaving room for dessert or that it was so delicious, maybe you could take a little bit home with you.

Don’t Hang Out Where the Food Is: If you stand near a buffet table or sit in front of a plate of veggies, chances are you are going to just munch away without even realizing it. Make it a point to sit as far away as possible from all those foods so you’re not tempted to just snack away.

Chew Sugar Free Gum: When you feel full, have a stick of sugar free gum. Having something in your mouth will help you resist the urge to eat anything else.

Exercise: With so much temptation and great foods, the most important thing is to make sure you stick to your regular exercise routine. You may even want to try to adding in an extra day to workout or while hanging out at holiday gatherings get others around you involved in something that can help you burn calories – such as cleaning up the dishes, going for a walk, a game of family football, or getting the family to play Wii or something of the sort.

Don’t Give Up: If you do slip up, don’t get upset about it – just resolve to do better and get right back on track. One day of overeating isn’t going to ruin you for good – but if you do it everyday for a month it’s going to be harder to get back on track.

Have a great holiday!

If you’ve ever been “the fat kid” somewhere you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. In the fourth grade, I was the “fat quiet girl” that it seemed like nobody wanted to be friends with. I kept telling myself “looks aren’t important” and while of course I fully understand that to be true now – back then it was devastating. I was teased relentlessly all the way through fourth grade until high school.

We get all sorts of negative comments and looks – and while some people might in a sick twisted way think that will help someone who is overweight, it usually only achieves hurt and resentment.

Negative People are the kinds of people who don’t do you any good when you are trying to overcome an obstacle or reach a goal. They’re the ones who say “I don’t even know why you bother with that low-fat crap” or sarcastically snide “YOU workout?”

I wished for a long time that I could be one of those people with a snappy comeback. Unfortunately, I’m just not that good at thinking on my feet. I’m one of those types who hours later will think to myself, darn it, I should have replied [insert snappy comeback line here].

Instead, I’ve learned a few other ways to deal with negativity in my life, and thought I’d share a few of those here with you.

Walk Away: So much easier said than done, sometimes ignoring it is the easiest solution. This one works especially well for those you don’t need to see or deal with on a constant basis, such as the sneering stranger who gives you dirty looks.

Ask Them to be Supportive: Sometimes people are just completely ignorant that what they are saying could be hurtful. If you are surrounded by negative family members that you’re stuck with, this could be a good option to try and help the situation. Often though if you explain what they are saying is making it worse and give them some suggestions on what will make everything better then you might just find it could make a difference.

Be Positive: When life hands you lemons? Make lemonade, right? Every problem has the ability to become an opportunity. To a caveman, having no light was a problem – but such a wonderful opportunity to create fire. When a negative thought enters your heard or someone says something negative to you about your weight or your goals, try to rephrase it positively.

Get Out and Exercise: I don’t know about you, but one of the best things I can do when I am angry is have a “work it all out”. That’s the equivalent to a workout, except while you’re exercising you’re also burning off that negativity. Put on some angry music or join a kickboxing class. Turn that negative energy into a way to burn calories!

It’s frustrating when people say and do hurtful things, especially when we are working so hard to change ourselves. I hope my tips above will help you with this hurdle in the battle to lose weight – and if you have any tips for overcoming negativity I’d love to hear your thoughts & suggestions in the comments below.

Here are some of our favorite quotes about dieting, exercise, and staying motivated to lose weight:

“Unless You Puke, Faint or Die, Keep Going!” – Jillian Michaels

“You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.” -David Viscott

“The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!” – Marvin Phillips

“Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it.” – Sir Winston Churchill

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.” – Robertson Davies

“It is better to wear out than to rust out.” – Richard Cumberland

“Obstacles are those things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” -Hannah Moore

“The one way to get thin is to re-establish a purpose in life.” -Cyril Connolly

“There are only 2 choices; make progress or make excuses.” – Ellen Mikesell

“You only ever grow as a human being if you’re outside your comfort zone.” – Percy Cerutty

“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

“Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible.” – Frank L. Gaines

“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.” – Oprah Winfrey

“First you fuel the desire, then the desire will fuel you.” – Napoleon Hill

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“There is no failure in running, or in life, as long as you keep moving. It is not about speed or gold medals. It is about refusing to be stopped.” -Ambry Burfoot

“If you haven’t got the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over?” – Jeffery J. Mayer

“If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it’s OK. But you’ve got to shoot for something. A lot of people don’t even shoot.” – Robert Townsend

“If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page” – Mark Houlahan

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” – Margaret Thatcher

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” — Charles A Beard

Do you have any favorite weight loss motivational quotes for fitness and exercising? What helps you stay motivated? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Finding the motivation to lose weight is probably the hardest thing to do. We are creatures of habit – we get used to our routines and our bad eating habits and it’s very difficult to break these habits. Losing weight is not about swallowing some magic diet pill or eating “super food”…it’s about changing your lifestyle. You’re not just dieting to lose weight for a couple of weeks – you’re doing this I hope because you want to be healthy and feeling good about yourself for life. Changing is difficult for all of us – and for many of us fighting to change can be a lifelong struggle without the right support and resources.

If you’re just starting to think about losing weight or maybe you tried losing weight for a little while and gave up, these 5 things you need for weight loss motivation might be helpful to get you off to a good start. It is never too late to start – even if you’ve stopped or fallen down a few times.

1. A Reason Why: There’s countless reasons why your doctor or the news and medical journals will say you should lose weight. I could list probably 10-15 reasons right off the top of my head. But none of the reasons matter unless it’s the reason why YOU want to lose weight. It’s not enough to just want to be skinnier or healthier. You need to be specific and be able to visualize that reason. Do you want to be able to fit into a certain size clothes? Do you want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without losing your breath? Do you have kids or grand kids you want to be healthy for and be able to chase around? Your own personal reasons are going to be the biggest motivator that makes the difference between saying “Aw, I’ll workout tomorrow” or “I am going to drag myself out to exercise for 30 minutes today even if I am exhausted from working all day.” Your reasons why will make the difference between eating apple slices with no sugar added peanut butter and a huge slice of ooey-gooey-double chocolate fudge cake for a snack.

2. A Schedule: Let’s face it: Most of us have pretty busy lives. Whether you’ve got kids or a job or really anything else, it’s pretty easy to procrastinate or push off working out or eating healthy. If you’re one of those people who say “I don’t have time for breakfast” or “There’s no time to workout” or “I’m lucky if I have time to take a shower!” then you need a schedule. Take some time and make a plan of what time you will eat, what times you will exercise, etc. Not only will this help you change your routine, but it will also make a difference in how organized your life is and reduce stress as well. Treat eating right and exercising as important as any other appointment or meeting scheduled in your planner – it is.

3. Support: It’s not easy to do anything alone. Someone once said to me “You’re not the only one – you just think you are.” It’s a good saying to remember, because any time you feel hopeless or like you can’t do something or that nobody understands – it’s usually not the case. You can hopefully find support through family and friends, but if not there are great sites like meetup.org that can help you meet some like minded people near you or you can always join a group fitness class or other activities near you. Having someone who can cheer you on and help you reach your goals together with makes a huge difference.

4. Confidence: When you are overweight, it’s easy to feel a lack of confidence in yourself and your abilities. Maybe others have mistreated you or judged you because of your weight – maybe you have failed at diet after diet that you think you are the failure, not the diet. Whatever the reason is, you have to get that confidence back. Being able to say “I can do this” to yourself over and over again will make it much easier to stay motivated and on task than saying “I can’t do this.” Start off slow – you don’t need to run a marathon. Start off just by moving the different parts of your body. Raise your arms up in the air. Kick your legs. Walk for 5 minutes. Then the next day do just a little bit more. You want to keep pushing yourself – and each time you succeed at the small stuff you will start feeling more and more confident to continue making progress.

5. Progress Tracking: Making progress isn’t going to be evident in the first day or even the first few weeks. But if you keep working at it you will see progress and you will be amazed at how much you’ve accomplished. Our free printable exercise log will help you keep track of the progress you’ve made and gives some tips on using it to help you stay motivated. Rewarding yourself for every accomplishment is important – even if it is a small accomplishment. Maybe you went one entire day going sugar free – you could reward yourself with a relaxing bubble bath. The rewards or the accomplishments don’t have to be big – but by seeing the little changes you’ve made will help you stay focused on making the bigger ones.

If you want to lose weight, and you have all of the things listed above in combination with eating right and exercising, you WILL see results. Remember that nobody is perfect, and of course you will likely slip up a few times here and there. But don’t let that be what it takes to stop you – keep moving forward and before you know it you will look back at where you were and how far you’ve come along.

How are you doing with losing weight? Do you struggle with motivation? Need some help? Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post or email me and let me know how it’s going for you!

While it’s true that a lot of super models do take drastic and unsafe measures to keep their weight where they want it to be, many actually do follow just a basic simply balanced healthy diet and exercise program. A lot of stereotypes exist that every supermodel you see that is skinny has anorexia or bulimia. This is not always the case, though thousands of people battle with these diseases each year – most of which ironically are NOT supermodels. What happens is the media frenzy and celebrity gossip folks just eat it up and publish it on every blog and magazine cover if they find out that a famed model is battling with eating disorders – many people do not realize that their own neighbors or friends might be struggling just the same.

All of this comes down to one important thing: You shouldn’t try to look like a supermodel. You should be happy being who YOU are, no matter what it says on the scale or what you think you see in the mirror. For many people, this is not as easy at it seems.

When you are trying to lose weight, your objectives shouldn’t be “i want to look like famous so and so person” – your objective should be “I want to look great and feel great! I want to be healthy!”

If you want to stay thin then there’s only one thing you can do: eat right and exercise. Eating a balanced healthy diet and exercising regularly will do wonderful things for your metabolism. Eating foods that speed your metabolism may be helpful in getting yours back on track. Doing some high intensity aerobic exercises and strength training for a flat tummy will help you get there in a much safer and healthy manner than any fad diet you see there that all of Hollywood is enjoying.

If you want to be a supermodel, the good news is that not only thin models are getting contracts. Many magazines, such as the popular Seventeen magazine and YM for teenage girls have made it their policies to have more “realistic” looking people. That means that they are not perfectly skinny. They are healthy vibrant people with healthy attitudes – not starving themselves for the sake of being in a photo shoot and on the cover of a magazine.

Do you have any thoughts on how supermodels stay so thin? Share it in the comments below.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is often defined as being in a trance like state where one feels relaxed. Many have compared hypnosis to being in a sleep like state, though hypnosis does not actually make one fall to sleep – in fact it achieves the opposite, often bringing those who have successfully been hypnotized to a heightened imaginative and concentrated state of mind.

Hypnosis is usually achieved by the subject (the person being hypnotized) by focusing on a single object. We often think of the magician and a watch dangling back and forth to become hypnotized, but hypnosis can be achieved in other ways. Because the subject is focusing on one object, other concerns, worries, and stress that usually impede on our usual thinking temporarily go away.

How is Hypnosis Used for Losing Weight?

Hypnosis is used for losing weight by primarily teaching the person who wants to lose weight with hypnosis new behaviors while in a hypnotized state of mind to develop healthier eating habits. Hypnosis alone cannot cause someone to lose weight – anyone using a hypnosis for weight loss program must also participate in some sort of healthier eating and exercise regimen in conjunction with the hypnosis. However, many who claim that hypnosis works will claim it has helped them with appetite suppression, motivation to work out, and overcome food cravings.

Does Weight Loss For Hypnosis Work?

There is no conclusive proof that hypnosis will successfully work to lose weight. Many people speculate that hypnosis only works because someone believes it will work – simply wanting it to work causes it to work. If that is the case, then some could argue that yes hypnosis can help one to lose weight.

Are There Any Dangerous Side Effects to Hypnosis?
There is much controversy over the possible risks and consequences of hypnotism. Most of the controversy and dangers associated with hypnosis are linked to stage hypnosis, or hypnosis shows done for entertainment purposes. It is difficult to say what the real dangers are of hypnosis may be, and the difference between opinion, coincidence, and facts. Like all things, you must weigh the potential risks and benefits before deciding if hypnosis could work for you.

Have any thoughts about hypnosis for weight loss and losing weight by being hypnotized? Share it in the comments below.

Losing weight is different for everybody, since everybody’s body is different and is overweight for different reasons. Some people may be overweight simply because of poor nutrition and lack of exercise – others may have genetics or a medical condition such as an under active thyroid that contribute to being overweight.

Therefore, there is no generic best way to lose weight but you can create a weight loss plan that is designed just for you and your specific goals. Speaking to your doctor is highly recommended, especially if you are concerned about underlying medical conditions or have other medical needs. Your doctor will be able to give you the professional advice that you need to make a healthy decision to eat right and get fit.

After you speak to your doctor, you can then create your own custom diet plan and exercise routine that will help you lose weight. Learning about basic nutrition (freely available through the FDA) and becoming more active will help with making your own diet plan – that will actually work and not cost a thing.

That’s the main reason you should create your own custom diet plan – you want a way to lose weight that actually works! When you make your own diet, you have more control of what and how you eat. There are several guidelines you should follow (ie, low fat, whole grains, no sugar, 5-6 servings of veggies a day, etc.) but for the most part you are the one who decides what and how much you eat. When you are in control of your diet, it doesn’t have control over you and you can overcome cravings. Likely, if you follow the same or similar plan to The Lose Free Diet you will never feel hungry at all!

The next best reason to create and customize your own diet and weight loss plan rather than relying on popular weight loss systems or programs that cost money is that it will save you money! Joining a diet program that costs $40 a month can cost you $120 in just three months, and you may not have lost any weight at all in those three months. Meanwhile, that $120 for joining their program doesn’t even cover the cost of food! By doing a little research and learning as much as you can about nutrition, eating healthy, and finding the motivation to stay on your weight loss plan, you’ll find the best way to lose weight is free.

Could the LoseFree Diet be the best way to lose weight for you? You can find out how the Lose Free Diet works Here. (And yes, it’s really 100% free!)

There’s a reason why the Biggest Losers on the show do so well. You’ll notice they’re not going with fad diets. They’re eating healthy, making smart food decisions, and exercising. Some work harder than others, but almost always they lose a decent amount of weight on the show, and even the ones who don’t make it to the finals feel happy and proud that they were able to lose the weight they’ve been wanting to.

There’s another thing to think about the people on The Biggest Loser. They have an audience. And an audience is an excellent motivator.

Because I write this blog, it helps me stay eating healthy. A lot of it also has to do with the fact that I’ve gone sugar free – because once you stop eating sugar you also stop craving it.

But there’s also the nagging voice in my head if I am occasionally tempted by something: “People are reading your blog. You need to set an example. You need to do what you tell them to do.”

And so I do.

If you need extra motivation, an audience can help immensely. I’m not saying you need to go on National TV – but sometimes just joining a forum or starting a blog or telling every single person you know can make a difference.

What do you think? Does an audience make it easier or harder for you to lose weight? Have any creative ways on finding an audience?

Fortunately, you can lose weight without spending a lot of money. By learning about nutrition and exercise, you can lose weight without joining expensive weight loss programs, fitness clubs, buying a gazillion diet books, or spending money on anything other than food, which you would buy even if you weren’t on a diet! (We’ll even show you how to save money on that, too!)

Getting Started on the Lose Free Diet
If this is your first time here, you’ll want to check out our 100% free LoseFree Diet Ebook as well as check out these articles below to understand how you can lose weight on your own.

How the Lose Free Diet Works

How to Stop Sugar Cravings

Free Weight Loss Meal Plans

Best Exercises to Lose Weight Quickly

How to Eat Healthier and Save Money

Don’t forget to Subscribe to Our Blog Feed to stay motivated and keep up with the latest news and tips for losing weight for free! You will also receive our completely free ebook by subscribing to help you get started in losing weight and finding the motivation you need to get started and stay on track!

Losing weight doesn’t have to be a burden or a chore. By learning the basics of nutrition and making exercise fun you really can be a healthier, happier you! If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, feel free to Contact Us.