Some people reckon that losing weight is the easiest thing in the world to do because you simply have to eat less and move more! But although it sounds simple in theory, the reality is that you have to contend with many emotions and obstacles that may affect your ability to lose weight. These tips will help you keep on track with your weight loss attempts. Although they are the basics I’m sure there are a few you didn’t know about, so you will definitely find this article useful…
1 – Be Sure You are Ready
You need to be ready to change your weight as it takes determination and motivation. You need to really want to change before trying. If you are not fully ready to change you will fail and this failure will stick with you and may prevent you from ever feeling confident in yourself enough to ever completely change your appearance and health.
2 – Get Motivated
Watch weight loss programs where people try to lose weight. Maybe put pictures of yourself on your bedroom wall of when you were skinnier as it will help to motivate you to keep up with new lifestyle changes, or perhaps put a picture up of someone whose figure you would love to have.
3 – Set Small Regular Goals
There is not really much point in setting massive unrealistic goals for yourself such as losing 2 stone in a month, because let’s face it if you do this you are setting yourself up for a fall. Another tip to lose weight is to remember it didn’t take a month to put 2 stone on so it’s going to take a lot more than a month to get it off!
Setting smaller weekly goals is more realistic and therefore more motivating when you reach these set goals each week. You might think setting yourself a goal of losing 2-3lb a week isn’t exactly the weight loss you where hoping for, but think about it in just 4 weeks that’s almost half a stone. When you reach your set goal at the end of each week set another to help keep your determination up.
4 – Ditch Crash Diets
Although some diets are celebrity endorsed, this doesn’t always mean the celebrity has used that product to lose weight. Even if these diet products are used by the celebrities that the manufacturers have claimed used them doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best way to lose weight.
Fad diets only ever work short term and aren’t always healthy as they often lowering your immune system and leave you feeling weak and unable to keep up any diet! Wise food choices and normal food portions are the only way to lose weight and keep it off.
5 – Think Clever
Weight loss is a simple equation. Eat fewer calories than your body needs each day and you will lose weight even without exercise! Alternatively, you can eat all the food you want but once you are using exercise to burn off those extra calories it’s a fact you won’t put on weight.
Think about it! The average female body needs 2000 calories just to keep the body alive, if she ate 2500 all she has to do is exercise and burn just 600 calories and she will lose weight each month. It’s also a good idea to eat metabolism-boosting foods also.
6 – Try Keeping a Food Diary
This is actually quite an effective tip to lose weight. This is because most people eat absentmindedly, maybe while cooking the kids dinner you nibble without even realizing you’re doing it. Being vigilant and writing down everything you eat will help you identify where your calories are coming from and will help you better track and control your caloric intake.
Carrying around a little diary with you on a daily basis will help you keep track, it might also help if you write down how you are feeling when you eat. This will help you to determine whether you are an emotional eater or not and if you are, it will help you prevent it from occurring (eg: if you notice boredom causes you to eat you know you will need to get up and do something that keeps your interest in order to prevent unnecessarily eating when feeling bored).
7 – Start with Small Changes
Making just small changes will really make a difference in your weight. Think grilling and steaming instead of frying, using the stairs instead of the lift and choosing lower-calorie food options where possible.
8 – Let Family and Friends Know
Another great tip to lose weight would be to let people know that you are serious about trying to reduce your weight, this will encourage them to support you and not hinder your progress in any way.
If they are unaware of your attempt to lose weight they are more likely to act as normal asking you to go on girly lunches and buying sweet treats for your birthday and even times when they visit you for a catch-up.
9 – Eat as often as you can
Eating small every 2 to 3 hours will stop you from becoming hungry with no control and will also stop your metabolism from slowing down. As well as that it will keep your blood sugars steady keeping your energy levels up and keeping those cravings at bay.
10 – Keep Temptation Away
Out of sight is definitely out of mind when you’re trying to lose weight. It’s best not to even have any treats in your cupboard for guests because everyone has their weak moments and if there is something that is sweet and high in calories in your home, chances are you will find yourself indulging.
These sweet tweets are probably the reason you are overweight and unhealthy in the first place, so avoiding the as much as possible is definitely in your best interest!