Weight loss really isn’t as hard as people make out. However, it does take determination and perseverance. The effort is very much worth it.
Keeping a journal of your daily caloric intake helps you lose weight. When you see the calories you’ve consumed on paper, you’ll want to not only eat less, but you’ll eat better food based on your newly-informed decisions. Dropping weight permanently requires a commitment to eating a nutritious diet. Exercise is also of importance, though.
Eat less on your diet while tricking your mind into thinking you are eating more, simply by downsizing to an 8″ salad plate for your main meals. Smaller servings can seem pretty skimpy when sitting on a larger dinner plate and might signal deprivation to your brain. Switch those same servings to a cozy salad plate and you have the sense of enjoying a more robust meal. If you can convince your mind that you just had a normal meal, then your stomach won’t be too far behind!
One way to keep your weight down, if you enjoy baked goods, is to look wherever possible for ways to lower fat and raise fiber levels in home-baked products. Applesauce makes a very respectable substitute for oil in many cakes and brownies. You can also substitute whole wheat flour for white flour, up to 100% depending on the recipe (the substitution will be invisible in chocolate brownies, by the way). You’ll substantially lower calories without affecting the taste of your favorite baked goodies.
Whether your goals are just to lose weight or to bulk up, you need to include strength training in your workouts. Just doing cardio workouts like running, walking, or swimming aren’t enough. Strength training helps you build up more muscle and burn more calories at a resting rate as well as burning more calories during the workout.
A great way to lose some weight is to watch portion sizes. Typical portion sizes served at restaurants are much larger that most bodies need. We are used to the big sizes and therefore, tend to eat more. When eating out, try to be aware of how much food you really need and only eat that much.
Eat smaller portions of food you love. You don’t have to sacrifice all the foods your love while you are dieting. Cut high calorie foods into smaller pieces before you eat them. Your body will feel like it is getting more than it actually is. Some brands already sell healthy-sized portions of their snack foods prepackaged.
A great way to help you lose weight is to purchase a jump rope. Jumping rope might just sound like a children’s game to some, but it’s actually one of the most intense exercises you can do. Boxers jump rope to get in peak condition for a fight.
A great weight loss tip is to plan what you are going to eat in advance. If you plan ahead, you are not as likely to make a bad food choice at the last minute. If you are in a rush, you are likely to grab the first thing that is appealing to you, which will likely be unhealthy. Planning ahead eliminates this.
Joining a gym is an excellent way to lose weight. Being in a community of people who are trying to be healthy will give you inspiration to do the same. You will also have access to an abundance of fitness equipment, so if you get bored with one exercise, you will always find something else to do.
It is important to remember the goal of all weight loss, to look better. Often times someone on a weight loss program gets discouraged because the needle on the scale actually goes in the wrong direction. Don’t freak out. This could be a good thing, a sign of muscle gain. Muscle is more dense than fat and this weighs more. So if you look better and feel better it is likely you are better
Working out is critical for shedding pounds, and it is wise to exercise at least three times weekly, for roughly an hour each time. Give yourself an exercise schedule that works for you and then stick to it. If you stick to your workouts, you’ll see results.
Try to keep yourself occupied because boredom leads to more eating. People who are bored tend to reach for food. Discover a new hobby such as dancing, yoga or painting. It will keep your mind off food and help you discover something new about yourself. You will enjoy your new found hobby and lose weight.
Make your goals a necessity. Set a strict deadline for yourself and you will be much more likely to stick to the program. Offer yourself a huge reward if you make it to your goal. Setting alerts on your phone or calendar to remind yourself that the deadline is approaching can be good motivation.
Be patient when trying to lose weight. You may initially lose several pounds and feel terrific but then hit a plateau where you do not lose much or any. The goal is to be healthier and weight loss is a side benefit. Sometimes this takes patience as your body adjusts to better eating habits and exercise routines.
Don’t throw away your old fat clothes at the first opportunity. Try to keep at least a piece or two from each stage of your loss as this will help you later. As you reach each of your goals try on some of your old clothes to see just how much your body shape has changed!
The weight loss tips in the article above can help you to lose the unwanted weight that prevents you from feeling your best every day. Weight loss is an achievable task, and if you stay with it, your health will improve. So try these tips, and see which ones work for you, or discover other ones over time better suited to your goals.
