I participated in a peer-to-peer weight loss contest (I came in third after losing 45 pounds or 25% of my weight) and am compiling some first person tips. These suggestions are not revolutionary or new, because they are based on age old wisdom. They surely worked for me - I went from 178.8 lbs (80 Kgs) to 133.2 (60 Kgs) in four months. Also from a waist size of 36 inches to a size of 30 inches.
- Do not skip breakfast. This is important. If you want to skip a meal, skip lunch or dinner, but not breakfast. I recommend bagels (with cream cheese), cereals, eggs, and fruit. Avoid pan cakes, biscuits, and especially sausage and bacon.
- Reduce food intake. I wanted to lose 20% of my weight, so I started eating 20% less. If you usually eat five slices of Pizza, just eat four. If you drink four sodas per day, drink only three.
- Avoid specific items that has high-persistence (read fat) value. I ate Pizza and Hamburgers during the four months, but not fried chicken or steaks. Eat no fried food.
- Consume at least one serving of a vegetable and/or fruit per day. Eat more carbohydrates (like oats, wheat), grains (beans, pulses), and low calorie meats (fish, turkey). Avoid butter, ice-cream, alcohol, and sweets as much as possible.
- Perform thirty minutes of physical exercise everyday. This can include walking, jogging, working out, or sports (I played tennis four to five times a week during the four months).
- Measure your weight daily, and note it down on a paper. This is very important because it is a daily reminder of your goals.
Some other contestants tried Protein focused Atkins Diet, Donating Blood often, and Diet Pills. I don't endorse them, not only because I didn't try them, but also because my way is the healthiest way to lose weight.
