So, here we go again. I started up my diet/life change plans.  Yeah yeah I sound so pessimistic with it because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “reset” my plan to lose weight once and for all.  But I’m not about kicking off this challenge by writing negative because I have a few good strategies that are already working this week (even though it’s only Wednesday).

Trick #1:
My personal trainer Ben at Balance Gym suggests that in order to help control the portions in meals, the food should fit in a small container.  You only eat what you can put inside. That’s it!  Oh, and no cheating, like packing it down.  This is a Ziplock Twist n Loc container that holds 2 cups/16 oz and is a great microwave-safe container (buy on Amazon).

Trick #2:
Another trick is to make or input your meals the day before and track all the calories in your program (I use the ShapeUpClub.com’s iPhone app) the night before, so there’s no surprise the next day when you suddenly eat that extra helping.  Having meals all laid out and inputted into the program before you eat is a big plus!  If you’ve made the investment in adding that stuff early, then you feel obligated to follow up and make the right decisions.

And there will always be temptations, no matter what.  In fact, today I’m in a news manager’s meeting, and free Papa John’s pizza is provided as an incentive to attend, yet I’m not going to touch it because I already had my meal planned out last night.

This plan is working. I’ve lost 5 pounds since Sunday morning.