Hina's Fave Diet Resources

When you're taking on a huge task like losing weight, I believe in getting all the help you can. Use all the tools available to you! These are just a few of my favorite tools for battling the bulge. Check them out, and if you have any great tips or sites, share the knowledge!

Counting Calories
It's hard enough sticking to a specific number of calories per day without having to guess how much you're actually consuming. Get a food scale, some measuring cups (for liquid and dry ingredients), and measuring spoons, then check out the following sites to help calculate your daily calories.

NutritionData.com ~*~ Calorie-Count.com ~*~ and CalorieKing.com

Starting a Program
If you're new to weight loss and have no idea where to start, why don't you check out some tried and true programs? I started using Nutrisystem because it is incredibly convenient. Your food shows up, you eat and go. No cooking, no measuring. Jenny Craig is another food delivery option. Weight Watchers doesn't give you food, but it gives you the tools for eating well and in moderation. All food is assigned a points value, and you get a certain number of points every day.

Low Cal Foods and Finds
Hungry Girl is my go-to site. If you haven't seen this yet, definitely check it out. Hungry Girl and her staff check out low cal foods, find the tasty ones, and let you know about the losers - before you spend your money on them! She's got recipes, taste tests, nutrition info, and lots more. She even dishes on dishes from well known restaurants! There's tons of helpful info on the HG site.

A Buddy System
It is so important to have good support when you are working on losing weight. If you can, recruit family members. They will be around to motivate you, they can exercise with you, and they can help steer you clear of temptation. Also look for help from friends and coworkers. Most people aren't out to sabotage your progress, so the more people know you're working towards a healthier life, the more they can help and motivate you. If you don't have anyone to help you out, or if you're just not comfortable telling others about your plan, then try an online weight loss group. Sometimes just being able to vent, and hearing that you're not alone in your struggles, is enough to get you through a rough spot. And if you need a buddy, I am always ready to cheer you on!