Maria Menounos Reveals Top Tips that Helped Her Lose 40 Pounds

Anyone else feeling like a busted can of biscuits after the holiday season? Christmas cookies, spiked egg nog, and more Christmas cookies? Whether you’ve been hitting it hard since the clock struck 2014 or you’ve been in limbo waiting for your New Year’s Resolution motivation to set in, Maria Menounos, Extra host, shares some trusted weight loss tips to get you rockin’ and rollin’ in 2014. Make sure you read on, because it’s these tips that helped her lose 40 pounds, which she’s kept off for over 10 years. We call that a success.

For the latest on Maria Menounos, check out her new book, The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness and read more from her original interview over at FitSugar.

START WITH BREAKFAST

You’ve heard it before, and it’s true — what you eat in the morning can make or break your day. Maria blends up a quick, filling, and nutritious breakfast using trainer Harley Pasternak’s breakfast smoothie recipe. “I’ve been doing it for a year,” she says. “It’s got all the protein I need, and it’s yummy.”

JUST MOVE

"Always be moving’ is my mantra,” Maria says. “It works.” Although she tries to make time for the gym, Maria says the most important way to burn calories, especially if you’re busy, is to rack up those steps. Maria aims for 10,000 steps a day to ensure she stays on the right track.

DRINK HOT WATER

Get ready for Maria’s favorite weight-loss trick — keep a mug of hot water handy. “Hot water is like magic. It fills you up: it also is detoxifying, de-stressing, and helps digest the food in your stomach,” she says. “You’ll find yourself eating a little less if you’re drinking hot water.” Although Maria also recommends drinking tea or adding lemon to your mug, she opts for plain hot water since it’s more convenient, especially if you are using an office kitchen.

STOCK THE GOOD, DROP THE BAD

Self-professed salad addict Maria always makes sure she keeps leafy greens stocked in her fridge, along with Greek yogurt. To ensure she actually opts for the healthy items she’s stocked, she makes sure to keep anything unhealthy out of her house. “I think that makes a big difference, because if it’s there, I will eat it,” she explains. “If it’s not there, I’m too lazy to go get it.”

DON'T EAT LATE

Even with her busy schedule, Maria tries not to eat past 8 p.m. every night. But that doesn’t mean she advocates going to bed starving. “If it’s too late, and I’m really hungry, I’ll have a Greek yogurt or something simple like that,” she says. “That way I don’t have a big meal that I have to digest during the night.”

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