If you are like most people, then you probably have tried at least one or two diets in the past that did not work. And while fad diets might give short-term results, they don’t work in the long run because they’re too restrictive and simply unsustainable. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, here are some helpful tips and tricks on how you can get the ball rolling on your new healthy lifestyle.
Set A Weight Loss Goal
One of the best ways to get started is by setting a weight loss goal. Establishing a concrete goal, whether it’s to lose 20 pounds in a month or 5 pounds in a week, will help guide your decisions and efforts. It also helps you stay accountable by forcing you to check if you’re on track with your progress or not. There are many ways to keep track of your goals. Like downloading an app, for example.
When tracking your weight loss progress keep in mind that your weight loss won’t happen in a day. Try changing your mindset towards small victories.
Exercise Regularly
This tip has to be included for any weight loss guide because let’s face it, exercise is essential to any weight loss journey. And while you can certainly lose weight by dieting alone, this is not a good idea as you’ll lose muscle. Adding physical activity will help tone your muscles instead and allow you to burn more calories even when resting. Plus, exercising isn’t just about looking good but also about being healthy. It boosts your confidence, helps release stress and anxiety, contributes not only towards one’s physical health but mental well-being as well. Here are some of the best exercises:
Walking
Walking is a great way to get started since all you need is a good pair of shoes. It’s also one of the simplest and safest exercises for beginners. If possible, make it part of your daily routine. Walk at least 10 minutes each time, whether that’s before work or after breakfast, during your lunch break, or after work.
Swimming
Another easy exercise that doesn’t require any equipment or gym membership is swimming. This low-impact activity uses over 80% of your body weight and will help tone muscles while burning calories. Not to mention, swimming provides cardiovascular benefits as well so it can lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease and heart attack in addition to helping with weight loss efforts.
Running
Running is one of the most common forms of exercise. And while running might seem like a strenuous activity, it’s effective for weight loss. If you’re just starting with your weight loss journey, start with running around the block and working up to longer distances.
Create A Weightloss Buddy System
Having a weight loss buddy system with somebody is another great way to stay motivated. Having somebody there who can share his or her experiences with you will help you through good times as well as bad times by giving you an objective perspective on your situation. Sometimes it’s easier to be accountable to someone other than yourself, especially if this person knows how important reaching your goal is for you. Here are the qualities to look out for when choosing a buddy:
Someone Who Has The Same Priorities As You
When choosing a weight loss buddy, it’s best to choose somebody with the same fitness goals as you. Having different goals will only break your focus and stability when it comes to achieving your set out goals.
Someone Who Has Experience With The Things You’re Going Through
For example, if the person has experienced drastic weight loss before, they can probably give you advice on how to deal with times where you eat things that aren’t necessarily good for you.
Someone Who Believes In You And Your Goals
Having somebody who doesn’t believe in what you are doing or trying to achieve is not helpful at all because this will only make them discourage you even more than you already discourage yourself. This negative energy could easily destroy your efforts and make you think of quitting altogether.
Someone Who Knows When To Push And When To Give You Space
Having somebody who knows when to push you and when to let it go is important, especially during times where you feel like giving up. This person should be someone who will not only know the right words to say but also how to say them for maximum effectiveness.
Create A Meal Plan For Yourself
One of the most important aspects of losing weight is knowing what you’re going to eat next. Your meal plan will determine whether or not you’ll succeed in reaching your goal so it’s best to get this part over and done with as soon as possible! Here are some helpful tips to consider when creating your grocery list:
Make A List Of The Things You Like And Will Enjoy Eating
When creating your grocery list, it’s important to be realistic about what you’re going to eat for the week. If you won’t enjoy any of these foods, then chances are that you won’t stick to this meal plan. So, if there are certain types of food that you don’t like or can’t stand, then either try substituting it with something new or simply eliminate it from your meal plan so it doesn’t go to waste.
Have At Least 5 Different Meals
Having a variety of foods to choose from is always helpful as this way you’ll never get bored with what you’re eating. This also allows you to try new types of food that could become your favorites if they turn out good for you.
Make A List Of Healthy Snacks You Can Have During The Day
It’s best to keep yourself and your body energized and ready for anything throughout the day by having healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, veggies, and protein bars. These tiny snacks will keep your metabolism going strong and hunger levels under control which will make it easier to avoid those temptations.
Buy Fresh Produce And Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are full of artificial sweeteners and preservatives which won’t do any good for your waistline. So, always look for produce that is as natural as possible and avoid anything that has a long list on it.
Stay Hydrated
Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go, even if it’s only a 20 oz. bottle every day. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will not only keep your skin clear and healthy but also flush out toxins from your body which will reduce bloating and the appearance of cellulite on your body.
Besides water, here are other options for hydration:
- Tea – Green tea and oolong tea will not only hydrate you but also help in accelerating your metabolism and burning calories.
- Smoothies – Make a healthy smoothie yourself with healthy ingredients and drink it as a meal. This will keep you full for much longer than a regular glass of juice or soda.
- Juice – Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate yourself as this allows you to absorb all those nutrients instantly into your body.
Taking control of your weight loss journey is never easy but it’s definitely worth the effort. It will take some time for you to get used to, especially during those first few challenging days where your willpower will be tested. However, if you manage to keep yourself motivated even through the toughest times then there’s no way that you won’t succeed!
