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"Easy" is a word that is rarely used when describing weight loss. Many people struggle their whole lives to keep their weight down. Some try trendy diets such as the South Beach diet or Atkins, with varying success. Some take weight loss pills, some join health clubs, and so on.

There are hundreds are ways to lose weight. Since each person's body is different, what works for one person may not work for someone else. But in most cases, improved diet and increased exercise will result in weight loss.

Several years back I was about twenty-five pounds overweight and wanted to lose the extra pounds. I made several adjustments to my lifestyle that I would consider "easy," and had great results.

First, I cut soda out of my life almost completely. Soda is packed with sugar, caffeine, and empty calories that weigh your body down. Even diet soda is no substitute, as most just replace one unhealthy ingredient with another. Conversely, water is the healthiest thing you can do for your body. Instead of drinking two, three, or four cans of soda a day, I'd drink four or five big glasses of water. This kept my body hydrated and feeling good.

Second, I stopped eating after 7pm. I'm a bit of a night owl, so I'd often find myself in the kitchen at 11pm or later. I made myself stop snacking after dinner. These late-night binges were a huge part of the problem. But once I stopped, I didn't miss them anymore. Plus, I wouldn't wake up feeling guilty about what I'd eaten the night before.

Third, I started exercising a bit more (nothing major). For me, I would run about three miles every other day. Running is not possible for everyone, so a brisk walk should do fine. At night, I'd do about thirty minutes of yoga before bed. Not only did this strengthen my body, it helped relax me after a long day. In no time, the running combined with the yoga helped me lose my gut and tighten up my muscles.

In just a few months I dropped about thirty-five pounds. The adjustments to my lifestyle were not major. I continued to eat almost whatever I wanted, and enjoyed the occasional beer or three. The only things I cut out of my life were soda and late night snacking, and I added some light exercise.

I'd recommend this simple strategy to anyone trying to lose weight. As I said, what works for one person might not work for another, but it's certainly worth a try. You won't have to give up much to hopefully see some great results.

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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