10 Ways to Drop 5 Pounds in the New Year

This year, keep your New Year's resolution and finally drop those last 5 ponds you've been meaning to shed. Here are 10 practically painless ways to say good-bye to that extra weight for good.

1. Sleep More
It's a dream come true -- literally! Add one hour of sleep to your schedule, and you could drop up to 14 pounds this year. New data from the University of Michigan shows that you'll likely eat 6 percent less if you replace 60 minutes of awake time (when you may snack) with an hour of shut-eye. And a Harvard study that tracked around 68,000 women found that those who clocked only five or fewer hours of rest a night had a 32 percent greater chance of gaining more than 30 pounds over a 16-year period than those who got seven hours of sleep. (Related: Find out if you have a sleep disorder)





2. Laugh Off 40 Calories
It's no joke! A study from Vanderbilt University showed that you can burn up to that many calories by laughing genuinely for 10 to 15 minutes. So pop in a favorite DVD or make a date for your local comedy club and get ready to roll in laughter. (Related: 20 Movies To Cheer You Up)

3. Take Fish Oil Pills
Popping a fish oil capsule can help you shed pounds. Researchers from the University of South Australia tracked 81 overweight people for three months and found that those who took a daily dose of fish oil and walked for 45 minutes three times a week lost an average of 4.4 pounds - without changing their diet. The pill-exercise combo is key: Those who worked out regularly but skipped the supplement stayed at the same weight; so did those who took the pill but didn't walk. Bonus: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil helped improve the participants' heart health. (Related: Speedy Seafood Suppers)



4. No More Sneak Eating
It's easy to overlook bites, licks, and tastes (known as "BLTs" to professionals). But that's a huge mistake - there are 25 calories, on average in each mouthful. Translation: Six little bites a day add up to around 15 extra pounds a year. So before you swipe frosting off that cake dish, consider a snack that will actually satisfy you.

5. Learn Correct Portion Sizes
Tired of cooking? We hear you. But consider this before you order takeout: A recent study showed that restaurant meals have at least 60 percent more calories than dishes prepared at home. Portion size may be a factor. In a survey of 300 chefs, many of the cooks copped to serving 12-ounce - or larger - steaks (the recommended portion is 3 ounces) and one to two cups of pasta (one serving is half a cup).







6. Chew to Lose
Chomping on gum burns 11 calories an hour (hey, every little bit helps) and can prevent you from taking "taste test" bites while you're cooking. What's more, a British study that tracked 60 people showed that those who chewed gum before snack time were less hungry and had fewer cravings for sweets.

7. Say "Om"
De-stressing can be a powerful way to whittle down. A recent study from Oregon Health & Science University found that overweight women who performed daily relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or even writing in a diary for 20 minutes, lost an average of 10 pounds after 18 months - without consciously dieting. Try our Stress Buster of the Week to cultivate calm.








8. Eat Dairy
Try to have at least three servings of low-fat dairy daily. A study from the University of Tennessee showed that dieters on a six-month program who followed a high-dairy meal plan lost nearly twice as much weight (around 24 pounds) as their nondairy-eating peers, and they shed more abdominal fat too. The researchers suspect that dairy activates fat-burning mechanisms.

9. Get Moving After a Large Meal
Resist the temptation to snooze after you've gorged on a huge feast. If you stay awake a few hours longer and take a 20-minute walk, your body will use some of the extra calories for energy instead of storing them as fat. Use our calculator to see how many calories you can burn walking, running errands or even doing housework!

10. Get Off the Scale
Step on the scale once a week. It will tell you if you are on or off your plan. Basic rule: same scale, same time, same day of the week. Monday morning weigh-ins allow you to start each week in possession of the facts. If you see you've gained, use that as motivation to try harder in the coming days.








More Health Advice from Good Housekeeping:
Lose 2 Inches in 2 Weeks
Sick of Always Dieting and Not Losing Weight? Find the Perfect Diet for You
Healthy Tips for Dropping the Pounds Quickly
30 Days to a Better Butt
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