Peter B. Ultimate

It’s easy to become discouraged when trying to lose weight. Instead of focusing on the failure of your past habits, consider focusing on 30 minutes to a flat stomach. Set attainable goals. This means goals that you have control over. If you set a goal to lose five pounds in a week, you have no control and set yourself up for failure. Instead, set a goal to exercise 30 minutes a day five days a week. Along with that set a goal to stay within your calorie count. As you achieve these goals each week, your motivation will increase. Other tips include:

• Measure instead of weigh — Measure your waist and stomach before you start and again each six weeks. Weight can fluctuate as fat is replaced by water or muscle. A tape measure shows the inches melting off your midsection.
• Keep a food diary
• Reward yourself with a pedicure or massage after six weeks
• Plan ahead – Print out a copy of calorie amounts for various fast food chains and keep them in your car. Then if you find yourself in a situation where you have to eat out, you’ll be prepared to make informed choices. You can find fast food calorie information on line.
• While walking for exercise, also hold in your stomach muscles to the count of 10. Release for a count of 10, and repeat. This will help to tone your stomach as you walk.
• If you start to get bored, change to another routine. Mix things up.
• Drink plenty of water.

You might find that no matter how much you wanted to stay home, it’s a difficult adjustment for you and your husband. However, there are some things that you can do to make the shift more economically feasible. By lightening your load, you can make it more possible to enjoy your new job as a stay-at-home mom. First, consider how you can reduce your spending. Can you consolidate your debt into one payment? Sometimes you can even get a better percentage rate when you do this. Can you refinance your home? Rates fluctuate, so sometimes you can get a better deal than when you first applied. This is a great way to put more money into your pocket every month.

Start planning menus to help you save on grocery bills. Some locations actually have online grocery shopping. While you may spend $5 on the service, you eliminate all impulse buying and you don’t have to go inside the store. But even if that doesn’t work out, planning ahead can keep you from spending more than you wanted and keep you from heading to a restaurant on a whim.