Sometimes the thought of losing weight and embarking on the journey can be daunting, overwhelming and downright scary.
Don’t make it hard on yourself.
Instead, start with small, simple changes that you can make one at a time and stick to, and these will eventually lead to long term success and lifestyle changes.
Here’s 10 ideas to get you started:
1. Increase your water intake
Water fills you up, helps release toxins from your body and ensures you don’t get dehydrated. Aid in your weight loss journey by adding in an extra glass of water per day until you have doubled your current water intake. Try detox water!
2. Get up 15 minutes earlier
When we are stressed, our body releases cortisol, which can cause us to store fat overtime. One of the biggest stressors is our busy, rushed lifestyle. Start to get a handle on this source of stress I your life by getting up 15 minutes earlier.
3. Eliminate one "bad for you" food
We all have our guilty vices – the thing that we eat that we know we shouldn’t but that somehow end up in our cart every single week. While having indulgences is an important part of a healthy weight loss plan, having lots of them will no doubt derail your progress. Start by eliminating one of them and gradually work your way toward only have two or three treats per week.
4. Add in 5 minutes of exercise every week
If you aren’t used to setting out a specific time to exercise every week, start with just 5 minutes of dedicated fitness. Maybe it’s a 5 minute ab routine, or 5 minutes walking around the block. Add 5 more minutes every week, and before you know it, you’ll be at a half hour of exercise every day. You’ll feel better, look better, and I bet you’ll miss it if you go without!
5. Get a smaller plate
Studies have shown that we will eat the food that’s on our plate, so when your plate is bigger, you’ll probably eat more. Get a smaller plate, and fill it as you normally would. When you are done, wait 15-20 minutes and see if you are actually still hungry, or are satisfied with the amount you already ate. It takes time for our brain to receive our full/hungry cues!
6. Eliminate bad habits
Drink too much? Smoke? Eat too much take-out? Take a look at your overall lifestyle and determine which bad habits you know you need to get rid of to help you reach your weight goals. Start with one at a time and tick them off the list. Be patient with yourself as you go along – breaking a habit takes at least 3 weeks with minimal setbacks.
7. Tell someone about your goals
You don’t have to be in this alone. Tell someone else you are trying to lose weight and ask them to help hold you accountable when you are having a hard time staying on track. Strength in numbers.
8. Get a step counter
Whether it’s a Fitbit, an app on your phone or a pedometer you clip to your pants, having a step counter is a great motivator to get you up and moving and help boost your calorie burn for the day.
9. Keep a stash of healthy snacks
Whether it is in your purse or in your desk at work, keep a selection of healthy snacks to have at the ready for when hunger calls. Think almonds, homemade energy bites and fresh fruit. Snacking itself isn’t bad, it’s when we snack on the wrong things that it can cause problems. Here are 10 bikini body snacks for you to try.
10. Make extra dinner
Start making an extra couple of portions of dinner each night. It doesn’t require that much extra work at the time, but it sets you up with a healthy lunch for the next day, or a quick healthy dinner later in the week on a busy night where you may be otherwise tempted to call for take out!
By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)
Cynthia Sallis says...
This was an excellent article! Thank you for sharing it!
February 11, 2022
Maria says...
Great advice.!!
February 03, 2022
Mary Lindsey says...
This was a great article. Thanks so much.
February 02, 2022