After a sedentary recovery from surgery, I was classified as “overweight” according to the US CDC BMI index. I wanted to lose about 20 lbs, and had tried trendy diets in the past, but always struggled with maintaining them, whether out of boredom or inconvenience.
I went with these basic tenants:
Establish rules around alcohol intake - I would often have a glass of wine during the week with a meal, but now limit myself to drinking on the weekends, and mostly socially.
Replace soda with water - this turned out to be much easier than anticipated. I carry a refillable water bottle and track water consumption with an app on my phone. I target 76oz of water a day, and often hit my mark. Sparkling water, and the myriad of market choices, has really helped here.
Choose less processed foods - I cook dinner for the family a minimum of three nights a week and rarely eat processed snacks, but instead reach for a piece of fruit.
Start a regular exercise routine - I’ve taken to cycling and routinely log 50 miles a week. While I personally feel this has been a huge boon in my success in shedding pounds, regular cardio exercise has been immensely fulfilling for both hormone regulation and personal achievement. Start slow, establish a routine, and track all the data you can.