Losing weight is a journey that requires a considerable amount of commitment and above all patience. It’s not about finding a quick fix or extreme solution to your weight loss woes but rather a balanced approach to the way you live your life.
The more sustainable the adjustments that you make are, the more you’ll see your work pay off, and last long-term. To help you, here are some practical tips to help you on your weight loss journey.
Set Realistic Goals
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes people make when setting out on a weight loss journey is setting unrealistic goals for themselves. When you fail to set goals that are achievable, then you’re already setting yourself up for failure.
Create a list of things you’d like to achieve, and check them off as you go. Perhaps you’d like to fill your wardrobe full of smaller clothing, while for other people you’d like to be able to gain more muscle. When you set realistic goals and check them off as you go, it will encourage you to keep working hard and stay motivated to keep working towards the next checkpoint.
Don’t Focus Solely On Calories
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is focusing solely on calories. While the amount of calories that you eat is undoubtedly important, you should also be focusing on the nutritional value of what you eat. 50 calories of almonds is not the same as 50 calories of chips. You want to make sure that you’re getting the macronutrients you need as well as micronutrients whenever you’re filling up your plate.
Stay Active
Exercise is a critical component when it comes to weight loss. Staying active will ensure that you burn calories, build muscle throughout the day, and avoid gaining weight. The best way to stay active is by choosing activities that you actually enjoy doing. Perhaps it’s dancing, or playing golf. The idea is to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week as this is the recommended amount by health experts
Prioritize Sleep
When attempting to lose weight, some people are so focused on the activity part of weight loss that they forget how important rest is as well. Getting enough sleep ensures that your muscles have time to recover, and your immune system stays strong. Not to mention, lack of sleep can disrupt the hormones that regulate your hunger, likely making you overeat.
Practice establishing a good sleep routine by prioritizing at least 8 hours of sleep a night. You’ll find that by doing this you significantly improve not only the chances of losing weight but keep it off once you lose it.
