The kitchen doesn't have to be closed & other dieting tips.

Change Your Lifestyle. If you think you'll just "diet" until the weight comes off, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Losing all the weight you want and keeping it off requires a lifestyle change. Stop bringing home the soda's and cupcakes and start a regular workout routine. If you really want to lose the weight and keep it off, it's going to require a change in your life.

Start a Workout Routine. You've heard it before, it only takes 30 minutes a day to get your metabolism into a higher gear and start burning more calories. You can even break that 30 minutes up into two 15 minute routines or three 10 minute routines!

Eat Smaller Meals More Often. Smaller meals help keep your metabolism charged and helps keep you from getting hungry.

Start Your Day Off with Water. Water is an important ingredient to help keep your metabolism up. Water also helps prevent you from becoming hungry.

Drink Cold Water. Your body will have to warm the cold water up before it can use it. This causes the body to use more energy, more energy use equals more calories burned.

Use Smaller Plates & Bowls. You won't be as tempted to eat large portions with smaller plates & bowls plus you'll feel that your plate is full (which it will be) and that you're not missing out on a larger meal.

Don't Eat after 7 O'Clock in the Evening. You don't want your body storing fat while you sleep. If you get hungry after 7, drink some cold water or tea. Not only will it help curb your hunger, it will help flush your system.

Eat Carbs Early, Protein Later. I try to eat the majority of my carbs early in the day so that my body can be burning them off. I try and eat more protein for the afternoon and evening meals.

Park Further From the Store Entrance. You'll walk further and burn a few more calories doing it. When you're into "Calorie Burn Mode", every calorie burned helps.

Grocery Shop After Eating, Not Before. Hungry people buy more stuff plus more foods that are not healthy for them. Shop on a full stomach.

Make a Grocery List and Stick To It. Shopping by using the list in your head can lead to disaster. Write a list and stick to it and you'll be less likely to pick up that box of Donuts that are calling your name.