Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially considering the fact that more than half of the population is overweight. As we get older we often get busier, and before we know it, find ourselves in the prime of our lives packing a few extra pounds. With so little extra time in our lives, it’s impractical to join the latest diet fad or commit to sweating in the gym for hours at a time. Are we all destined to grow outward with each passing year, or is there a simple way for us to reclaim our healthy figures? If you struggle with your own battle of the bulge read on for five sure-fire ways to drop a few of those unwanted pounds, and more importantly learn how you can prevent packing them in the first place.

TIP #1: Burn it in the AM

What is the first thing you do when you wake each morning? Hit the snooze button for an extra ten minutes of sleep? What if I told you that taking those ten minutes to strap on your sneakers and walk briskly around the block would result in weight loss? It has been proven that aerobic activity done on an empty stomach forces your body to recruit energy from storage. This energy is stored in the form of fat on various parts of your body. Starting tomorrow, take ten minutes out of your morning to walk briskly around the block before breakfast. Do not sprint or try to walk as quickly as possible, simply walk at a pace that you could comfortably hold a conversation with. This seemingly small activity, when done consistently, will produce surprising weight loss results.

TIP #2 Forget Your Late Night Snack

Although comfort food seems to taste better right before bed, it is also more prone to stick with you when eaten late at night. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night. If you go to bed at 10pm, finish eating for the day no later than 7pm. Once you have made this a habit, you will be ecstatic over the long term weight loss!

TIP #3 Kiss that Frappuccino Goodbye

What tastes better than a frothy, venti frappuccino smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup? While blended coffee beverages have rapidly gained popularity with the masses, their caloric tallies have been all but considered. Whether you are an avid Starbucker, or only wander in for an occasional treat, it is important to know the truth about what you are drinking. The average Venti-sized frappuccino weighs in at 530 calories. This staggering number equals 2.5 bagels, or one-third of the recommended daily caloric intake for an average woman. Not only is this an excessive amount of calories to be consumed in a beverage, but the calories come purely from sugar, which is easily stored as fat. Next time you’re in line at the coffee shop and find yourself eyeing a sugary beverage, redirect your attention to the tea selection, or stick with an old-fashioned cup of coffee.

TIP #4 Fuel Your Fire

Have you ever tended a campfire? You probably remember continuously adding sticks and branches to keep the fire from running out of fuel. Your body’s metabolism is similar in its need for constant fuel. Eating a small meal every three hours is a great way to keep your metabolism high all-day long. When your metabolism is high, you burn more calories throughout the day and are less likely to store fat. Rather than eating 2 or 3 large meals a day, and allowing your ‘fire’ to go out, giving way to hunger pains, try eating a small meal every three hours and be amazed at your weight loss results.

TIP #5 Curb Your Carbs

I’m certain sometime in the past year you have found yourself subjected to the testimony of a converted ‘low-carb’ enthusiast. While these people may look great, it’s definitely not the right diet for everyone. Extreme fatigue, crankiness and downright impracticality are a few of its side effects. Cutting one or two carb-filled items out of your daily diet can make a huge difference in meeting weight loss goals. While I wouldn’t recommend throwing out your bread basket entirely, consciously cutting carb-filled items out of your daily food intake is a great idea. If you normally have a sandwich for lunch, make it open-faced, thus cutting out half of the bread. If you enjoy eating pasta for dinner, reduce your pasta portion and add extra vegetables. These minor changes to your daily diet will prove themselves priceless when you step onto the scale.

Keep in mind that consistency is key. The more effort that you put into implementing these 5 tips into your daily lifestyle, the quicker the unwanted pounds will disappear.

Diana Keuilian, Certified Personal Trainer, and author of “Avoid The Freshman Fifteen,” has a proven method for avoiding college weight gain. Visit AvoidTheFreshman15.com to learn more. Check out Keuilian.com for more exciting fitness websites.