Weight Loss Tip 6 - Have a mirror nearby

Ok, not always a nice thought is it, but I found this one to be particularly powerful.

How do you feel watching other people eat? Does it change your opinion if they are slim or overweight? We probably would like to think it doesn't or shouldn't but humans being humans it probably does at some conscious or unconscious level.

So if you translate this to 'the real world' and combine it with tip number 2 - Eat at the table, then by having a mirror so we can see ourselves eating we become more aware of the speed and amount we consume.

A fantastic side effect is our room looks bigger and by following these tip we become look smaller - smaller bum bigger room!!!

Win-Win I'd say!!!!!

Weight Loss Tip 5 - Hide the junk, show off the good stuff

If like me you live with your family or other people, then getting rid of all 'the bad stuff' from the house completely so you are not tempted is not always feasible.

So my weight loss tip 5 is to hide all the none healthy eating stuff so you don't see it, and keep all the good stuff out on show.

I took this a step further and physically swapped the two groups around to break the habit. So when I went for crisps I found fruit. After a while these swaps become easier as you break the snacking habit.

Another tip is to try and get the rest of the family on side by asking them to keep things away from your eyes and if you've got children ask them to put wrappers and other 'evidence' of snacking in the bin....its bad enough trying to break your habits, but its even worse to have to tidy up others peoples rubbish!

Tip number 5 

Out of sight, out of mind 

Hide the junk, show off the good stuff 

Weight Loss Tip 4 - Load up on veggies

Sounds like a typical diet tip right? Well, I guess it does but it also is a visual trick.

In tip number one for weight loss we looked at changing to a smaller plate and more specially using a blue plate for higher food - plate contrast.

If you then make sure this new plate is full especially with veggies your brain see a full plate and veggies in terms of calories and nutrition are clearly a winner.

I steam mine so they still have some crunch and freshness. The colour combinations of this option also adds interest and variety and if you buy in season you will get the best value for money.

Tip number 4

Load up on veggies 

Weight Loss Tip 3 - Have your 'refill' dishes in the kitchen

So, in tip number 2 for weight loss we looked at how sitting at the table can heighten our senses in terms of feeling full and eating less.

In this tip we will look at how having any refill dishes and food in the kitchen rather than on the table can help us lose weight quicker.

I guess it kind of makes sense but its not so easy to do. My family like to have our serving dishes on the table and it can feel quite intrusive to have to keep getting up and going into the kitchen. But, if you can manage it it really does help you cut down on how much and how many times you fill your plate.

Not only is it a pain to keep getting up, but you feel more (self)conscious that others and you can visually see your getting up to eat more.

Tip number 3 

Keep 'refill' dishes in the kitchen 

Weight loss Tip 2 - Eat at the table

How many of us grab a snack on the run or eat in front of our computers or the TV? I know I and we as a family are guilty of this

So, what is the reasoning behind eating at the table?

1. You become more aware of what and how much you are eating because you are more focused and not distracted by something else. 
2. If you eat at the table as part of a social or family gathering you are more likely to be conversing and this slows down the rate at which you eat meaning you register earlier when you are full.
3. If you only eat when sitting at the table you will cut out all the 'standing up snacking' like finishing the kids meals, grabbing something from the snack cupboard or eating as you cook food.

Tip Number 2 

Eat at the table 

Weight Loss Tip 1 - Blue Plates = Weight Loss

Ok, so the two tips I would give you here are:

• User smaller plates (and cutlery)
• Use a blue plate

So, lets take the plates first.

Those of us cutting back and wanting to stick to a healthy eating plan should use smaller plates.

For example changing from a 12" to a 10"plate. The same amount of food on a smaller plate looks a lot more than on a larger one so your brain thinks you are eating more. Also if you are used to 'piling your big plate high' you won't be able to with a smaller plate.

If you want to take this a step further you could you smaller cutlery and if you are trying to cut back on sugary drink use a smaller blue glass as well.

Secondly the colour of your plate can have a huge effect on your appetite. Research shows that the higher the contrast between your food and the plate the less you will eat.

Tip number 1 

Use smaller blue plates 

As a side note refrain from eating out of a bag as you cannot see how much you are eating and therefore may eat more.

Weight Loss - Visual 'Tricks'

Hi, everyone and welcome to my blog.

This started after I embarked on my own weight loss journey and wanted to look at all the elements I could to ensure success.

As well as the usual diet and exercise I thought I would look at the visual 'tricks' that could help in my journey and over the coming blogs I will share these with you and hopefully they will work for you as well.

All the best Sarah x