Weight loss is something that anyone can do with a lot of effort and determination. The benefits of weight loss are more than just looking good – you'll feel better about yourself too, which could lead to all kinds of life improvements.
But the only way to be successful in your journey is by knowing what exactly it will take to achieve your goals. There are many ways you can go about it, but the most important thing is to have a plan of action in place before you start.
If losing weight seems like an impossible task, don't worry; I’m here to help! The rest of this article will focus on some helpful tips for making every step easier.
What are some reasons to lose weight or maintain current weight?
The first thing you need to do is figure out why you want to lose weight or maintain your current weight. You'll have better chances at success if something is motivating you, like wanting certain clothes or being healthy and energetic again.
Knowing your why will help you stay on track, even when you feel like giving up.
Below are some reasons to lose weight or maintain one's current weight:
- You may want to lose weight because you're feeling guilty about your current size.
- You may be suffering from a health issue like sleep apnea that is being caused by being overweight
- You've developed low self-esteem and think that it's due to your weight
- To live a healthy lifestyle
- To improve your self-esteem
- To live longer
- To improve your chances of successful pregnancy and healthy childbirth
- Medical complications associated with obesity (high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels)
Being overweight can indeed cause a lot of health problems. However, if you are obese, losing weight isn't just a matter of vanity or self-esteem; it's also about your health and longevity.
And these reasons should serve as enough motivation for you to lose weight no matter how long it may take.
When should you start losing weight?
The best time to start losing weight is now! Waiting until later will only put you farther behind and likely discourage you from trying at all.
If you've been thinking of starting a diet for a while but have just been procrastinating.
Best ways to go about losing weight
You may have already tried numerous weight loss programs, but they were unsuccessful for one reason or another. You may be looking for ways to get into shape as quickly as possible.
Here are 9 things you can do to make it easier for you to lose weight:
1. Make a plan
Decide what you want to do and how you're going to get there. It would help if you had a goal, and you must set up a plan to meet that goal.
A good example would be setting out for a walk three times per week for half an hour each time. It would help if you also decided what steps you're going to take.
2. Set goals and weigh yourself regularly
Setting up your goals is a good step to consider however you should keep in mind that it is important to stay on track no matter how difficult this process may be.
You should set your own goals weekly. It should be realistic, as well as measurable targets.
A good way of doing this is by keeping a journal with weekly averages of your weight loss. This is also a good way to remind you of your progress throughout the week.
It is also important that you weigh yourself regularly.
3. Make yourself accountable
If you can get a friend or family member to join you in the weight loss program, then that would be great. What's more, you could also make them accountable.
Accountability is very important for success in any endeavour, so please do not underestimate the power of accountability.
4. Your menu
Make the right kind of food choices to be successful in your weight loss goal. You'll have to work a little harder if you want to get into shape, and that's why it's important not to ignore this aspect of your health.
It's not just the food you eat, but it's also how much food you eat. As a good rule of thumb, make sure to take small bites and chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Remember, do not consume your calories in one sitting, as this will add up quickly. It is best to spread your calories throughout the day rather than eating them all in a single sitting.
This is also important as it will help prevent overeating.
5. Surround yourself with positive people
Another way of staying motivated is by surrounding yourself with committed and supportive friends about your weight loss goals.
Having these kinds of friends will give you more reason to keep going through the hurdles that you might encounter along the way.
They can also give you a different perspective on how they maintain their weight.
6. Sleep Well
Let us not forget the importance of sleep; our body needs to recover from all the daily stresses we are exposed to. It gives us time to have a break and rest for a while.
Having a sufficient sleep every night will help you be alert and feel more energised during the day, making it easier for you to keep up with your weight loss goals.
Deeper Dive:
How to Stop Binge Eating: A Guide for Compulsive Overeaters
Easy Weight Loss Tips That Will Help You Stay Motivated
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7. Stay motivated
Set reminders on your phone or computer calendar for times to weigh yourself.
Also, make sure to find ways outside of dieting that can be motivating, such as reading motivational quotes from famous people or watching videos online about other people who have lost weight successfully.
This way, you can hold yourself accountable for your actions.
Keep track of all the healthy changes you make, so you know how far along you are on this journey to success!
There are tons of apps and tools online that allow you to create a daily journal or blog with pictures to record information about what you eat, your weight loss goals, what workouts you did, how your running or walking is going and so on.
8. Reward yourself
Celebrate all the little victories along the way by rewarding yourself with something that is not food-related (such as buying new clothes) or doing something fun like taking a trip somewhere new.
Once you can reach your weight loss goals, try to be very mindful, it took you lots of dedication and hard work and you wouldn’t want to throw all that away by eating everything in sight.
Instead of depriving yourself of the food that you love, make small changes and incorporate healthier options into the foods you usually eat.
This way you can still enjoy your food while at the same time losing weight slowly but steadily.
9. Exercise Regularly
You should also exercise regularly and choose a form of exercise you like, whether swimming or biking.
It is also important to wake up early in the morning so that you can squeeze in your workout before the day gets hectic.
If you want to make this process easier, here's another tip. Get a workout buddy with whom you can talk about your weight loss goals.
This will also make it easier for both of you to motivate and push each other further and keep each other accountable.
Final Thoughts on achieving a successful Weight loss
The key is consistency. If you do not see any results in 2 weeks, you should consider getting professional help to guide you and monitor how far along you are on your journey towards becoming healthier.
Our health is a valuable asset that we need to take care of, and we cannot just neglect it for any reason. Some people may find these weight loss ideas hard to follow, but they will work if you apply them consistently.
It would help if you remembered that you can’t lose all these weights overnight, but the more consistent you are, the faster you'll achieve your goal.
More Resources:
Maintenance of lost weight and long-term management of obesity
7 Major Weight Loss Findings You Should Know