Losing weight is not an easy task for most people. Usually, it has taken quite a while to reach an unhealthy size and reversing the process is no simple matter. Although popular ads and cliches would have you believing that the first place to start with weight loss is your mouth, it's actually your brain that needs to lead the effort. See how in the following tips.
1. Gear yourself up! Achieving a healthy weight is part of an overall lifestyle, not just what's on the menu for the week. Psych yourself for the permanent changes you need to incorporate into your life to succeed on the scale. Spend time thinking about how you use food and misuse it and what got you overweight in the first place. Focus on what you want to accomplish and make yourself a few very serous promises.
2. Be the tortoise, not the hare! Many yo-yo dieters have been on a mission to lose weight for years and they will probably stay that way. Experts will tell you that weight loss is a permanent commitment to a healthy lifestyle and the changes you should make to drop a few pounds are ones you should adhere to for life. Set reasonable goals in logical time increments and you should start seeing results immediately, but don't forget you are in this for the long-haul!
3. Keep a weight loss journal. Studies show that people who use a journal to track progress (or the lack there of) are many times more successful in weight loss than those who don't. Write everything you do and eat down in your journal, and first thing the next morning, read it! How can you do better today? If you repeat what you did yesterday, will you reach this week's goal? Follow the process and understand your actions by recording everything and learning from it!
4. Opt for fresh foods daily. Prepackaged diet meals may be quick and easy, but they are certainly not healthy! Consider yourself worthy of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean healthy meats! Put the effort into your meals, and you will be rewarded with a higher functioning metabolic system where weight loss is easier to accomplish. Your body was built for real foods like apples, carrots and the greenest of vegetables, not freeze-fried, just add water and water and watch it grow meals!
5. Take the time to exercise. Losing weight without exercise is like trying to drive a car without gas; it's just not going to happen! You need physical activity to work and tone your muscles and to burn off calories; that's just the human body by design. Complement your new and healthy way of eating with a smart routine that fits into your schedule and won't bore you after a week or so.
6. Keep your eyes on the prize! Although you certainly don't want to anticipate failure of any kind, you can expect a few set-backs and bumps along the way. Don't get discouraged! Stay focused on the long-term goals and commit to a new and healthy way of living. Yes, you will lose that weight, but you will also be building a better body from the inside out. One that functions more efficiently, is less likely to succumb to many diseases and conditions and one that will have a lot more energy and zest for life!
Successful weight loss is something you commit to mentally first, and stick with until you reach your targeted goal. Without that mental commitment, you will end up going from diet to diet and up and down continuously on the scale. Change your way of thinking about food, health and exercise and conquer your issues with weight loss, permanently!
