Diets, pills, superfoods, workout routines, special shoes, and clothing…..every day, we hear some new miraculous discovery that will help us lose weight quickly, easily, and for good. The sad part is that even though we know it sounds too good to be true, a tiny bit of hope remains in our brains, encouraging us to believe it can happen. And every time we or someone we know tries a new weight loss strategy and fails we start getting used to another idea, even more dangerous than the previous one: it can happen, but not to me!
The truth is not bad: weight loss is an achievable goal. However, it doesn’t mean it’s easy and will happen overnight. Eating healthy, exercising regularly…nobody denies the importance of these things, but what’s in our mind also matters. If you are convinced that something won’t work, there’s a good chance it won’t. The human psychic is extremely powerful and has a great influence on everything we do. No matter what weight-loss strategy you decide to adopt, you should follow a few guidelines to find the perfect balance between body and mind, but also ensure the success of your efforts.
Everyday Habits for Long-Term Weight Success
Analyze how you got the extra weight. Is it too little exercise or too much food? Don’t do it by comparing yourself with other people. Your best friend may eat twice as much as you and weigh approximately the same. It doesn’t mean you eat too little. The best way to do it is to try and remember how much you weighed the last time you were satisfied with your body. What was your daily routine and meal plan? What’s changed?
Have realistic expectations. Someone you know lost 20 pounds in three months? It doesn’t matter. It might take you a year, even if you adopt the same strategy. Every individual is different. That’s why it’s best to have patience and give time to your efforts so that they turn into results, instead of suffering a major disappointment and giving up.
Choose the times and frequency of your meals and adjust their size accordingly. Based on your self-analysis and current schedule, decide how many times and when you will eat from now on. Once again, don’t look at other people’s habits; choose what’s right for you. From the classic “3-meals, 2-snacks” plan to eating only twice a day, consider anything before deciding. Nevertheless, stick to the plan once you’ve made up your mind. Eating regular meals is important to your health, not just weight loss.
Dieting is optional, but if you want to follow a diet, choose it based on your meal frequency decision. For example, if you decided that 3 daily meals with no snacks is the best solution for you, find a diet that uses a similar eating pattern. If you want to follow the carrot diet, the pineapple diet or the mediterranean diet, just stick with it. Also, you should consult a nutritionist to make sure your choice does not pose a threat to your health.
Find time at least three times per week to exercise. Unless you have a medical condition that doesn’t allow you to perform physical activities, you should adopt at least a moderately active lifestyle. From walking and jogging to aerobic classes, weight lifting, and team sports, there’s surely some type of exercise you can enjoy. If you get bored very fast, then combine several types of workouts. You can lose weight even without exercise, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important.
Many health problems derive from a sedentary lifestyle. Plus, by regularly exercising you will improve your muscular tonus and cardiovascular health, something that cannot be achieved through weight loss.
Keep your mind busy with other things than food. If you think about food constantly, chances are you make yourself hungry and prone to snacking and overeating. Your thoughts centered on food mean you’re either distracted from your regular activities such as work, school, family… etc., or you don’t have enough of them. Either way, try to focus on other things and fill your free time with hobbies, exercise, and socializing. You’ll soon discover that you can still enjoy your favorite dessert, but you will give more importance to other aspects of your life.
Eat slowly, even when you’re very hungry. So you just came home from the gym and you’re so hungry that you see black in front of your eyes? Your need to eat in a hurry is completely understandable. However, it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to realize that you’re full, so by eating slower you’ll end up eating less.
Allow yourself to go off track from time to time. A family reunion, someone’s birthday party, or any other special occasion that involves you being surrounded by lots of food is not the time for dieting or healthy eating. Nothing is wrong if you overeat as long as it’s only on rare occasions and you return to your regular eating schedule the next day.
Drink water. Our brain is excellent in many ways, but managing the starving sensations is often not its strongest suit. Most time, if your brain tells you you’re hungry, drink a glass of water and wait 10 minutes. More often than not, you’ll realize your brain was signaling you to hydrate.
If you consider all of these weight loss tips, there’s a high chance you’ll succeed. Remember, don’t go overboard, you’ll accumulate stress, and there’s a high chance you’ll give up in anger. Also, once you find something that works for you and you’re comfortable with, implement it fully into your lifestyle. Stay healthy!
