In terms of nutrition, the best way to stay on track is to count calories and plan your meals ahead of time. Doing so will help you avoid nothing-in-the-fridge syndrome. Unfamiliar with that? Remember the last time you looked in the fridge, found the celery and yogurt unappealing and ended up at the closest drive-thru? It happens to all of us!
Stack your pantry with healthy snacks, the fixings for delicious, low-calorie meals and the occasional sweet treat. If you're well-prepared for mealtimes and cravings, you'll stay far away from the temptations of fast food. Even if you're not a cook, you can stock up on low-cal frozen meals.
The great news for newbie or unmotivated exercisers is that there's a fitness regimen for absolutely everyone. Hate crowded gyms? Lace up your sneakers and take a brisk walk or jog around the neighborhood. If you love cardio, get hooked on spin, step or kickboxing classes to burn a ridiculous amount of calories in only one hour. For best results, intersperse cardio with strength training to achieve muscle tone.
