Good morning and thank you for reading the Self Help Tips Blog!

The New Year is here. For many people, one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and to keep it off. Unfortunately, this can be such a daunting task for some people that their resolve lasts for a few months at best. The good news is that weight loss does not have to be difficult. With the right mindset, it is possible to lose weight and keep it off. Here are 10 tips to assist in this process:

Tip #1: Focus on making small changes each step of the way. For most people, successful weight loss involves not only a diet change, but a lifestyle change as well. Since this can be overwhelming for some, it is best to take baby steps. For instance, instead of signing up for a full year’s membership at a gym, go for a few months or try walking in your neighborhood three times a week for thirty minutes. Once this is done habitually, it becomes part of one’s lifestyle.

Tip #2: Eat 100% organic, virgin, and unrefined coconut oil. There is ample research which supports it as an aid in weight loss.

Tip #3: Eat apples, preferably organic, every day. Apples decrease appetite and stabilize blood sugar. Eat at least one apple per day.

Tip #4: Stay away from fast food! These foods are loaded with harmful fats, preservatives, and other chemicals. If one has to eat out, try to eat at a restaurant and make healthy choices such as eating a large salad, a baked potato, and broiled meats instead of fried foods.

Tip #5: Do a liver cleanse. Many people have livers which are clogged and not working efficiently. Health food stores carry a variety of cleansing products.

Tip #6: Use organic apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar helps to eliminate fat cells from the body. Take a few teaspoons prior to each meal. Apple cider vinegar can also be found in health food stores and most grocery stores as well.

Tip #7: Add hot pepper to food. It is amazing what something hot and spicy can do for your metabolism. Hot peppers not only increase metabolism, but also help the body burn off fat more efficiently. Organic hot salsa is best.

Tip #8: Eat a large organic salad at lunch and dinner. The key is organic, if possible. If salad dressing is used, it should be organic olive oil, organic vinegar, and fresh organic lemon juice.

Tip #9: Stay away from refined foods such as sugar and enriched products such as white flour, white rice, white bread, and pasta that is not organic or whole grain. These foods have little to no nutritional value.

Tip #10: Be positive! Don’t say "I’m going to try to lose weight", but "I’m going to lose weight and feel great." Be committed to staying on course and making those necessary lifestyle and dietary changes. With this mindset, one cannot help but be successful.

Weight loss does not have to be overwhelming and difficult. Commit to trying at least a few of the steps above and expect to lose weight and feel great!