Losing those last irritating 5 pounds can be the hardest part of your weight-loss journey. Kick things up a notch without depriving yourself. These 10 easy rules will help you finally hit your goal weight and allow you to maintain your healthy new physique.

1. Practice Portion Control


Over the years, portions have become supersized. Larger serving sizes make it easy to consume excess calories, even when it comes to healthy foods. Curb your consumption by being mindful of proper serving sizes: a serving of meat should be no larger than the palm of your hand or deck of cards. When it comes to snacking, don't eat out of the package or bag. When you're dining out, ask for a doggy bag at the beginning of your meal and immediately place half of your dish in the to-go container so that you won't be tempted to clean your plate. As a rule of thumb, make sure half of your plate is filled with fruits and colorful veggies at every meal.

2. Lose "Low-Fat" Labels


Many dieters fill their kitchens with foods branded as "low fat" – but all too often that label is a diet trap. To improve their flavor, manufacturers tend to add more sugar, flour and thickeners to fat-free products, which boost calorie content. The fats in these foods are replaced with low-performing white carbs that digest quickly and are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes the classic sugar high and crash followed by a hunger rebound.

Additionally, studies show that people often view a low-fat label as a green light to eat much more than they normally would, unaware that low-fat versions of foods are usually not much lower in calories than the regular versions.

Next: 2 easy ways to boost your metabolism

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