5 Kitchen Tools To Help You Lose Weight

Kitchens are equipped with basic appliances and utensils; however, a dieter's needs may involve a little more hardware. Anyone who has ever been on a diet knows that the proper gear can greatly aid in their weight loss. Here are five everyday cooking essentials we can use to eat healthier—and lose weight.

1. Panini Press/Griddle

This versatile machine cooks everything from hot sandwiches to grilled veggies, chicken, and fish. Its non-stick plates—which are designed to drain grease for healthier cooking—make lubing with high-fat butter or margarine unnecessary, not to mention give food that great grilled look and taste. And because food doesn’t simmer and soak in oils and grease (like in a conventional frying pan), by cooking with it you can easily shave a hundred calories off your meal!

2. Blender

Your conventional or hand-held blender could be your biggest weight-loss ally. Use it to whip up fruit smoothies in the morning and puree cooked vegetables for delicious soups and bisques at night. Not only will you drastically reduce the amount of processed foods (which can contain high levels of trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar) you consume, but also you will get your daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables (which, according to the Department of Health and Human Services is two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables per day for adults consuming 2,000 calories a day) without even thinking about it.

3. Food Steamer

Although many consider a raw food diet as healthiest type, it’s not always optimal (or palatable). Cooking food via steaming is universally regarded as the next-best thing. Steaming, unlike boiling, ensures that foods’ vital nutrients are retained while allowing you to cook food without adding calorie-laden ingredients. Plus, steam is so gentle that it keeps food’s natural aroma intact.

4. Kabob Skewers

Yet another tool that helps avoid loading up your meal with unnecessary oils and fats, the skewer is a stylish partner for grilling or broiling beef, shrimp, chicken, and veggies. Since each one can only hold so many bite-size ingredients, it also helps with portion control. Cook your kabobs on a grill and you’ll score extra calorie-saving points, as fat will drips away in the process.

5. Food Scale

Food scales take the guesswork out of calorie counting because they precisely measure individual ingredients or entire meals, making portion control a cinch! Don’t already have one? Not to worry! You can purchase a solid digital food scale for as low as $20

Exercises You Can Do on Your Sofa

Some days, you have every intention of actually working on losing weight by making it to the gym, or even for a simple walk outside...but that just doesn't happen, and you remain in the comfortable clutches of your couch or arm chair, staring at the TV, hour after hour.

Believe it or not, you can make this scenario work to your body-toning advantage - with your sofa or chair doubling as a surprisingly effective workout tool!

1. Couch Push-Ups

Facing a couch, kneel on the floor about 2 feet away from it. Cross your ankles, and place your hands shoulder-width apart on a cushion edge. Slowly bend your arms, and lower your upper body until your chest touches the couch. Hold, then press up again.

2. Side Crunches

Lie on the couch on your left side with your legs together and your knees bent. Place your right hand behind your head with your elbow pointing toward the ceiling. Wrap your left arm across your waist. Contracting the oblique muscles along your right side, lift your shoulder off the couch, bringing your rib cage toward your hip. Hold, then slowly lower. Repeat, then switch sides.

3. Armchair Stands

Sit on the edge of a chair or couch with your feet shoulder-width apart. Without using your arms, press into the floor with your feet, and stand, tightening your butt muscles as you rise. Keep your abdominals tight and your back straight. Hold, then slowly lower yourself. Before you touch the chair, stand up again.

4. Armchair Dips

Sitting on the edge of a chair (or couch), place your hands on the edge on either side of you. Move your feet out so that your butt is off the chair, and your knees are bent at 90-degree angles. Bending your elbows so they point behind you, lower yourself as far as comfortable. Hold, then slowly press up again.

5. Leg-Up Couch Crunches

Lie on your back on a couch with your knees bent, your feet up on one end, and your hands behind your head. Pressing your lower back into the couch, slowly lift your head, shoulders, and upper back off the couch. Hold, then slowly lower.

6. Scissors

Lie on your back on a couch with your hands (palms down) under your butt and your legs straight up in the air. Keeping your knees slightly bent and your feet flexed, slowly spread your legs as far apart as comfortable. Hold, then slowly bring your legs together, resisting as you press them in.

Best Guidelines for a 10-Pound Weight Loss

Wanting to get rid of a few extra pounds isn’t that hard to realize. There are several guidelines for a 10-pound weight loss out there that you can surely utilize for your own advantage. Integrating these tips with your diet and exercise regimen can definitely help you lose unwanted fat in a shorter period of time.

Reveal to Others You Are On a Diet.

Making your diet public is a form of affirmation. It is very hard to keep your diet a secret from others and there is no motive for you to do that. Telling others that you are on a diet can really benefit you in the long run. More people would be able to help you on your mission and you can depend on them more for morale support.

Motivation is the key to a successful diet. You can get this from those around you, especially from your loved ones. If you hear negative comments, just brush them off and think of the positive effects of what you are doing.

Don’t Forget to Drink Lots of Water.

Water is obviously very valuable to the body. It can even be more helpful during diets. Water doesn’t only help the body get rid of toxins and functions properly but also eliminate cravings. A sudden shift in eating habits can cause unexpected cravings and hunger pangs. Water is very beneficial during these tough times.

A glass of cold water can effectively eradicate any of your cravings even for just a moment. Whenever you feel like eating before meal time, grab a glass of water and drink until you feel the cravings melting away.

Get a Weighing Scale.

You don’t have to buy those large weighing beams that they use at the hospitals. There are a number of digital weighing scales available at your local hardware and electronic store. This is an important step in any diet; how else can you monitor your progress if you don’t own a scale? Always remember to choose a brand that is known for its durability and accurateness.

You can either opt for a simple weighing scale that only has the basic ability to tell you how much you weight or something that has extra features like weight logging and comparison programs. The latter type of weighing scale is very helpful in telling you just how you are developing through the diet.

Weigh Yourself Every Day.

Once you have acquired a weighing scale, place it in your bedroom where you can easily access it after waking up. Most people only weight themselves weekly. Though this method is still effective, weighing yourself daily can tell your daily progress. This is even more evident if you get a weighing scale that is accurate to the last detail. Bear in mind that a 180.8 yesterday is different from 180.0. A weighing scale that can’t tell your accurate weight even to the last decimal is less useful.

Losing as low as .8 in your weight is significant because it shows you exactly how your diet is working. Keep in mind that the diet is only as good as its results. Strive to find more guidelines for a 10-pound weight loss or be creative and make some. You don’t know how much they can help you achieve your goal.