10 steps to get your weight loss off to a good start

Want to change your eating habits? Switch to a well-balanced diet with Herbalife Nutrition's 10-step weight loss guide.

If someone wants to kickstart their new diet, it tells me they are committed to the plan and eager to get started. A dietary change is likely to help you see results, which means it can motivate you to increase your efforts towards your new healthy lifestyle and stick to the plan.

However, it is important that you change your diet in the right way. It is not a good idea to cut calories too drastically, as this can affect the nutritional balance of the diet, and you can end up feeling tired and hungry if you do not get enough fuel. A diet that is too strict is often difficult to stick to for more than a few days.

Continue reading my guide for a safe kickstart to your regimen over a two-week period in a way that will hopefully help you stick to your new healthy plan and see results.

1. Make sure to commit to your plan in writing

Write down all the reasons why you want to get in shape, and put the list somewhere where you see it every day, so you can look at it every time you feel tempted to deviate from the plan.

2. Plan all your meals and snacks

It may take some time, but the results will be worth it. Creating a detailed meal plan will strengthen your commitment. Planning your own meals means you can consider your own personal preferences and avoid things you don't like, and it helps you create a detailed shopping list.

3. Get rid of foods that are not on your diet plan

Once you've decided what you're going to eat, it's important to get rid of all the things that might tempt you. Go through your freezer, refrigerator, and cupboards and clear out anything that isn't on your plan or that you feel might tempt you when your motivation wanes.

4. Eat five times a day

Try to have three meals and two small snacks each day, and plan to eat every 3-4 hours. This makes it easier to eat smaller portions at meals and snacks when you know you'll be eating again soon. Your snacks can be in the morning, afternoon, or evening - but remember to plan ahead so you don't end up resorting to unhealthy, high-calorie snacks.

5. Prepare all your meals at home

Eating out is convenient, but you'll have much more control if you prepare everything at home for the first few weeks of your new healthy eating plan. It can be hard to estimate how many calories you're consuming when you eat out — you often don't know all the ingredients in the food or the exact portion size. When you prepare all your meals yourself, it's much easier to keep track of calories.

6. Replace two meals a day with a meal replacement

Meal replacements come in many shapes and sizes, including Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1 shakes. What makes them so convenient is that they are portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced, and take the guesswork out of counting calories. And they taste great too, meaning you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out on delicious food. If your goal is to manage your weight, many people find it easier to kickstart their new diet by replacing two meals with a meal replacement shake and eating a well-balanced, sensible dinner.

7. Eat the same menu every day

When you're first starting out, discipline is key, which is why some people find it helpful to eat the same thing every day for the first few weeks. Plan what you're going to eat, how much, and calculate the calories so you know exactly what you're consuming each day. If you don't have to make decisions about your food, you don't have to worry about making mistakes in your calorie counting or being tempted by an unhealthy alternative.

8. Eat more vegetables than fruits, and more fruits than starches

If you're trying to work more fruit into your diet, whole fruit is the way to go. The calories in fruit juice can add up quickly, and juice doesn't fill you up.

9. Start lunch and dinner with a salad

When you start your lunch and dinner with a light salad, you start filling yourself up without consuming a lot of calories. Vegetables take up a lot of space in your stomach, so eating a salad first can help you control your portion size overall. Eating in portions also helps you eat more slowly.

10. Start every meal with a glass of water

A glass of water won't necessarily make you feel fuller - or for longer - but many people find it helps. And since many people don't drink as much fluid as they should, starting each meal with a glass of water can help establish this healthy habit.

Susan Bowerman is the Director of Nutrition Training for Herbalife Nutrition. Susan is a registered dietitian and certified specialist in Sports Dietetics.