Welcome to the first weight loss tip!  These tips are in no particular order- they are not ranked.  I hope you find this tip, and all tips that follow, to be helpful.  If you use any of the tips I provide or have anything to add, please feel free to comment and let me know.  Feedback is much appreciated.

Weight Loss Tip #1 - Use the Buddy System

Losing weight on your own is hard, we all know that. Finding someone you can share your weight loss journey with can definitely help keep you on track toward your goals. But, you need to be cautious when choosing a weight loss buddy, because sometimes they can have the opposite effect than what you had intended. Here are some things to look for:

• Someone who’s supportive and has a positive attitude. Losing weight is tough, you need someone who will be uplifting and help you through the struggles!

• Someone who will really hold you accountable. This is a tricky one. Be very wary when choosing family or close friends as your buddy, (in my experience) you may end up letting each other slide on bigger and bigger things until you’re sitting there together eating a nice big bowl of ice cream and an entire bag of chips. Try and pick someone who you know will keep you on track.

• If possible, choose someone with similar weight loss goals as you. It really wouldn’t work out too well if one of you wants to lose 20lbs and the other wants to lose 100lbs. Also, consider choosing someone who is on the same type of diet or making the same lifestyle changes as you are. Of course, both of these things aren’t absolutely necessary, but any little bit helps.

• Choose someone you can communicate with on a regular basis. This means everyday!! I have never tried this, but there are tons of weight loss forums on the web where you can find online weight loss buddies. This may be a good solution for people who don’t have the time to keep in touch by phone or in person. Email is very convenient because you can send and receive emails any time of the day or night.

Don’t forget that you are their weight loss buddy, too! So be supportive. Have a good attitude- they need the help to get through their struggles too. Hold them accountable just the same as you expect them to hold you accountable.

Life is crazy enough without trying to lose weight. Find a buddy to help keep you on track towards your goals- and keep you SANE!!

~Shrinking Kim