People struggle with weight every day. Some people spend most of their lives doing it. In fact, it’s sad because statistics say that very few people will actually end up losing weight and making permanent changes in their lives. However, if you want to go against the stats, there are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your next journey down the weight loss road.
Tip #1 Check your way of eating.
Evaluate everything you eat by keeping a food diary for a week or more and analyze it. How often do you eat vegetables? How often do you drink soda, eat junk food or sweets? Can you identify your problem period of the day?
Once you’re familiar with what you eat, how much, and when, it’s easier to make the necessary changes. Maybe you need to chew gum to avoid snacking while you cook dinner or make a firm rule of not eating after 7 pm Maybe you need to cut out certain things altogether. Sometimes just making a few adjustments to your diet will be enough to shed those unwanted pounds. However, more often than not, it takes more than just a diet.
Tip #2 Get some exercise.
We live in a very sedentary society. We spend much of the day sitting in cars and in front of the TV and computer. We have to schedule time for exercise, and it’s often the easiest thing to eliminate, because it’s not a lot of fun and we just don’t enjoy it.
The key to sticking with exercise is to have fun. We have to learn from our children. They run around and play and have a lot of fun being active. They don’t do it because they “need” the exercise; it’s just for the hell of it. We as adults need to find that part of our spirit again. A great way to do this is to play a game like basketball.
Basketball is the ideal way to exercise and enjoy it. It’s something you can play with just one other person or with a whole team of players. You can also get a great workout just by practicing and doing basketball drills by yourself. It is also a year-round sport. Portable basketball hoops allow you to play outside for much of the year and when it gets too cold, bring it inside.
There are many gyms, sports centers and even churches with indoor basketball courts. Having a team that you are committed to will also increase the frequency with which you play and your dedication to your new sport.
Tip #3 Be consistent and committed
The most important thing to keep in mind with weight loss is to stick with it. It is not something that can be achieved overnight. In 6 months or a year, you may look exactly like you do now or you may have lost the weight you want to lose. Staying committed to your weight loss goals means not giving up and keeping your goals in mind. For this you can put reminders in different places of the house and your food diary always in sight. Track your progress and what you eat.
Don’t beat yourself up for slipping up!
Being consistent means you don’t exercise or eat well part-time. It has to be all day, every day. You have to stick with it and when you treat yourself to a special food or take a break to work out, just go back to normal afterwards. Don’t make excuses. If you neglect exercise or diet, your weight loss goals will take much longer to reach.
Keep these top 3 weight loss tips in mind and be consistent and committed to what you do. In no time you’ll be shopping for smaller clothes and proud of your accomplishment.