Jennifer Eisenbarth’s Weight Loss Secrets

Don’t Leave Healthy Choices to Chance
Every dieter has been there: You want to eat healthy foods, but there are none around.

“Preparation is the key. If you’re not prepared, you go to McDonald’s,” says Teri Dale, a fitness consultant Jennifer hired back in Minnesota.

Jennifer’s strategy? Cooking up large batches of lean steak, chicken and shrimp that she can quickly turn into healthy, delicious meals throughout the week (see her easy Asian salad recipe).

Set Rules for Yourself
Establishing a few never-break-’em boundaries is crucial to staying on course. “I don’t go into the kitchen after 8 p.m., because nighttime is when I feel vulnerable. If I’m not in there, I can’t eat.”

Another rule: Steering clear of bread after 6 p.m., because calorie-burning slows down near bedtime.

Any Workout Works
“Just like you don’t have to be in a church to pray, you don’t have to be in a gym to exercise,” says Jennifer.

“There’s so much time when we’re just standing around. Why not do calf raises when you’re pumping gas or squats while you’re brushing your teeth?”

She also chooses workout routines that she enjoys: “If it’s a beautiful day outside, instead of going to the gym, I’ll walk five miles.”

Identify Your “Why”
Before she could succeed at dieting, Jennifer had to zero in on the reason she wanted to change. “You have to embrace your ‘why,’ ” she says. “Mine was my kids. Just wanting to fit into a smaller pair of jeans wasn’t enough.”

Make it a Family Affair
Yes, your hungry brood can be on your meal plan! “My husband and I used to make something healthy for the kids, but he and I would eat greasy burritos!” says Jennifer. “Now we’re all eating better.”

The payoff? Pete has lost 20 lbs., and their two children are bona fide health nuts who even love low-cal sushi!