I am constantly having a similar battle with myself. I'm not fat YET - But I'm afraid of getting there.
* Exercise is good. Like Krystal said, dancing is fun, especially with friends. And Dance Dance Revolution is a fun way to get active too.
* Join something at your local YMCA. This fall I wanna try yoga and get a membership so I can go work out in their awesome gym. :3
* When I'm tempted to eat something, I think of how guilty and awful I feel AFTER I eat it. Then I usually can say no.
* When I feel the need to eat and I'm just craving/not really hungry, I eat crushed ice. It's something to put into your mouth and it's good. C:
* I make orange juice pops a lot too. It's delicious on a hot summer day, AND it's really good for you. (;
* When I really need something sweet to eat, I chop up a green apple and eat it with peanut butter. The apple doesn't have many calories, it's sweet, and it's good for you, while the peanut butter makes the apple feel more like desert. The peanut butter has quite a few calories, but it is full of GOOD oils and it has TONS of good protein - great for building muscle. ;3
* Remember: It takes 3,500 excess calories to gain a pound. So if you have a slice of chocolate cake during a moment of weakness, don't think, "Oh no! I'm totally going to gain five pounds from this!" because you AREN'T.
* Cut out processed foods.
* Remember: You're ALWAYS burning calories, even when you're sleeping.
* LIFT WEIGHTS - You're not necessarily going to lose pounds on the scale, as muscle weighs more than fat. But it seriously works. It tons your body and slims you down incredibly. You'll really see the results if you lift nearly everyday, promise!
* It's okay, EVERYONE has a bad day on a diet. I'm trying to cut down, but today I was AWFUL. My friend came over and we had vegetarian taco dip and tortilla chips, brownies, and of course, tons of Mountain Dew.
* Shayna is right - CUT OUT THE POP. Now I sound like a hypocrite, right? I used to HAVE to drink at least a can if not two of Mountain Dew everyday, or I'd go through withdrawl. But I worked through it. Now I only have Mountain Dew when I'm out to eat, a friend comes over, or I'm at a party. If you can, drink diet pop. Zero calories. Some people don't care for diet (I don't), but some people have no problem with it. You should give it a try.
* Some people mistake hunger for thirst. If you're hungry, try drinking something first.
* Portion control is essential. It's not only WHAT you eat, but how MUCH you eat.
* I drink coffee a lot. I drink mine black, so zero calories. The only problem is I have problems sleeping at night. Then I take Benadryl as a sleep aid, even though it's an allergy medication and NOT a sleep aid. Not a great cycle, but drinking coffee in the morning could help craving at lunch at like, 11AM.
* Eat breakfast. For instance, try egg whites and whole wheat toast. The egg whites are full of protein and has hardly any calories - GREAT for reving up your metabolism. The whole wheat toast works wonders on your digestions system and fills you up - kudos to fiber.
* Find a friend to work out and eat healthy with you. It's always easier on the buddy system.
* It's better to eat five small meals/snacks a day rather than three large, square meals.
* Try reading Seventeen magazine. Honestly, the fashion gets me excited and feeling inspired and good about myself, and they have tons of workouts and diet tips - they have a health and diet section in EVERY issue. Or you could check out seventeen.com and sign their body peace treaty and read other inspiring stories of others in your same position.
I used to be anorexic, but I've recovered. I used to read health magazines and Google diet tips all the time, but it spiraled out of control. Keep yourself in check. But I did my research, so try what I suggested above, and good luck.
PM me if you ever wanna talk.
