Each year, almost half of Americans will try to lose weight. And for those who are successful, there are big health benefits. Weight loss can improve blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, energy and endurance, and overall mood.
But to reap these health benefits, you need to start your weight loss journey the right way. Knowing how to plan and adjust your lifestyle is key to your success.
Here are a few tips to help you kickstart your weight loss plan to reach your ideal weight.
To begin your weight loss journey, start with the end in mind. Identify your goal and the reason behind it.
For some, it may be a desire to fit into old jeans or to get rid of unwanted love handles. But to stay motivated in your weight loss and fitness journey, you may want to dig a little deeper.
Imagine how you’ll feel when you reach your goal. Will you feel more confident after losing weight? Will you have fun with your favorite clothes again? Or will you have more energy for your active lifestyle?
After considering your motivation, set your goal. This could be a specific goal weight, or something you want to accomplish after losing weight.
Write your goal down, such as in a journal. Share it with others to help hold yourself accountable. And keep this goal in mind throughout your weight loss journey.
Pinpoint the barriers—or rather, the things you think are barriers—blocking you from losing weight.
For example, you may think that a lack of time is a barrier. Perhaps you find yourself eating fast food for dinner because you don’t have the time to cook a healthy meal.
Or maybe a lack of energy is stopping you from exercising after work.
Everyone has their own lifestyles and limitations. But there are often solutions available that you may have not thought of.
For example, if you’re pressed for time, try prepping several healthy meals at once. If you’re tired after work, make it a habit to exercise in the morning instead.
Everyone’s body is different, and that means each person’s weight loss journey will be different, too. Find a plan that makes sense for your personal needs.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a plan. New mothers need a plan that supports them after giving birth. Age can also greatly influence our body’s needs and weight loss styles.
Even genes and certain conditions should be considered when losing weight. That’s why we offer programs that go in-depth with bloodwork and genetic testing to get to know your body inside and out.
You may enjoy snacking in front of the TV or lounging around all weekend, but it’s time to start becoming more mindful.
Keep track of what you eat, and even set a schedule for meals and snacks. If you know you have a sweet tooth, stock sweet-yet-healthy protein bars or fresh fruit in your kitchen. If you tend to mindlessly eat while working, set aside time to eat without distractions.
Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your own habits. If you notice some of those habits aren’t helping your weight loss journey, create a new, healthier habit to replace it. This can be done on your own, or with the help of a weight loss coach.
Your weight loss journey isn’t only about eating right or exercising. Losing weight can help you feel healthier, younger, and more energized. But that requires a healthy lifestyle in general.
For example, it’s important to get enough sleep and give yourself opportunities to de-stress from daily life. In fact, being stressed and sleep-deprived can contribute to weight gain.
So remember, taking care of your well-being in all aspects of your life can help support your weight loss journey.
To stay on-track with your weight loss journey, it’s important to eliminate distractions. If something or someone sabotages your goals, consider how you can eliminate them from your life for now.
Keep unhealthy snacks out of your pantry, and avoid restaurants that will sabotage your diet plan.
In some cases, you may even want to distance yourself from people in your life who try to distract you from your weight loss. If someone in your life pressures you to eat unhealthy meals or have too many drinks at dinner, consider spending less time with them.
If you’re hoping to reach your ideal weight in a week, a month, or even a year, understand that it may take longer.
Crash dieting doesn’t work, nor does yo-yo dieting. Instead, losing weight requires consistency and patience. While the beginning is often the hardest, our bodies don’t typically begin showing big changes until we get over this initial hump.
If you’re trying to lose weight fast, don’t get discouraged if it takes a little longer than you had originally expected. Keep going, and remember your original motivation for starting your weight loss journey.
You can jumpstart your weight loss journey today by making healthy changes in your habits and lifestyle.
Establish your goal, and start moving towards it with an effective weight loss plan. Divine Weight Loss can help you discover the perfect plan for you, with plenty of support and coaching along the way.
Contact us to set up a weight loss consultation, and get started on your life-changing weight loss journey!