How can I lose 10-20 pounds?

[Rhey]

I'm 19 and don't have much time for exercising right now due to my stressful schedule. I want to find a better diet and some way to lose pounds without having to work out constantly. I already walk all around campus to get to my classes. I'm thinking I just need to eat less and shrink my stomach somewhat. I've also heard that drinking pure green tea (without sugar and all the added chemicals) can help lose some weight. I mostly want to lose stomach fat but eventually I want to lose some of my butt and thigh weight (probably from an exercise bicycle). Does anyone know how I can lose weight easily without having to work out as much? What would be the best diet for me (an on-the-go college journalist)?

[Renee Radenberg]

A Heart Healthy diet would be a good start to lose weight and have good health. A Heart Healthy diet means a moderate fat diet to lower the fat content of your foods and increase ‘good’ fats to benefit your body. Moderate fat diet means = use polyunsaturated (omega 3, corn oil, nuts, etc) fats and monounsaturated (olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, etc) fats, no saturated fats (high fat snack foods, butter, fat spreads) and no trans fats. Eat low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), substitute dairy products (low fat soy milk/soy yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal). Exercise is very important too and you can simply do that by increase walking to 1/2 hour more a day. That 1/2-hour can be broken up through the day, 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there. For example, walk to the store or to school, etc. That will give you additional walking. Portion control is important and here some general tips = ½ cup for all starches and vegetables; one piece of fruit or ½ cup of small fruits; 1 cup for substitute dairy products, and only 3oz of low fat meat or protein substitution a meal (only 6ozs total a day). To help eat less food per meal, eat about 7-10 almonds (good fat), 20 minutes before lunch and dinner so you will feel full faster and not eat as much food.  Do not be discouraged, weight loss can be a slow process but the slower you loss, the higher chance it will stay off. Think of this new way of eating as your new healthy lifestyle and not as a diet. That will help you to keep your weight off, and keep your body healthy. Hope this helped you.