Losing weight requires discipline. Excuses will need to become a thing of the past, so finding a motivational support network is the key to your success. You’ll be more likely to stick to your goals, if you have a clearly defined path to get to them. This article will outline how you can find success with a change in attitude, so read on for help finding your inner voice of discipline.
Find ways to exercise all day to help lose weight. It’s hard for a lot of us to find time to go to the gym, but if you start finding little ways to get in some exercise, it can add up to losing pounds. Park as far away from the office as possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator and play with the kids at the park. Little items like this will make a dent in your weight loss.
Shedding excess pounds and keeping your muscles in shape may lengthen your life. Your heart will have to work less to carry blood around your body, minimizing stress on your circulatory system. This measure along with regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing more serious problems later on in your life.
For some people, at some times, a low-carb diet may really be the answer, at least in the beginning. The reason low-carb diets work is that your body normally uses carbs as a first fuel. When you give your body no carbs (the “induction” phase of most low-carb diets), your body needs to use something for fuel, and so turns to burning your own fat. These diets have proven very successful for many people, but should be undertaken with care as people do need some carbs in their diet. Most low-carb diets nowadays move from an induction phase into a much healthier maintenance phase, where “smart carbs” (high-fiber, lower-calorie choices) are reintroduced.
If you love coffee and you’re losing weight, think about consuming decaf. Decaf is a good choice since it is low in calories and can curb your cravings. Decaf coffee also has antioxidants so it is beneficial in that way as well.
You must give your permission to break the rules once a day so that your weight-loss plans don’t feel like a jail sentence. One way to do this is to allow yourself one small, indulgent treat per day. Depending on what you crave, this may be a small piece of rich cheese, nuts, chocolate or some other small treat that will make you feel you’ve “earned” it by being virtuous the rest of the day. The key, of course, is to do it only once a day.
When the weather is nice outside, try taking a quick, brisk walk before you eat lunch or dinner. You will benefit by burning a few extra calories, and chances are after some exercise you will be less likely to eat foods that are unhealthy. You will also feel really good, and will have a lower chance of overeating.
Every good weight loss program comes with a great source of motivation. Here is a unique motivation tip. Before you start the program determine how much you want to lose and what size clothes that would put you in. Then go buy the clothes for the future you. This monetary investment will help keep you on track hoping that one day the new clothes fit.
Be aware of what you drink. Avoid any drinks that contain alcohol or sugar, replacing them with water, low-fat milk or tea. Sugary drinks are packed full of empty calories that add no nutritional value to your diet. Drinking one sugary drink a day can cause you to put on unnecessary weight and increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Take the time to talk to your companions when you are eating together. Talking to others will aid in slowing you down so that your brain has more time to register when your stomach is full. Participating in conversations can lower your intake.
It is wise to steer clear of soda drinks. Such beverages contain large amounts of sugar and can actually spark cravings. Drink water. It is calorie-free, thirst-quenching, and fills you up to satisfy hunger pangs.
A great trick to implement for reducing the fast food cravings that you have is to go to the supermarket and purchase frozen vegetables in bulk. When you get home, sort these vegetables into small freezer bags, that you can microwave as a snack any time you desire to have fast food.
While a high level of enthusiasm is a good thing, don’t let it get the best of you. Overexerting yourself by becoming immersed into a highly intense workout program and significantly pared-down diet can leave you exhausted, discouraged, and prone to injuries caused by lack of preparation or failure to gradually ease into progressively more intense workouts.
Eating out at ethnic restaurants is particularly difficult when dieting, but there are always good options. Stay away from sauces that have loads of fat and sugar in them and focus on grilled meats, steamed or grilled veggies, and soups that do not use cream as their base.
If you overeat one day let yourself know that there is nothing wrong with that and it is not the end of the world. All you have to do is make sure to do a little more physical activity the next day to get off all of the calories that you consumed.
Alcohol is the bane of any weight loss program. In itself, alcohol may have health benefits (the antioxidants in red wine come to mind here), but it hurts a serious effort at dropping weight. Alcohol dehydrates the body, making injuries and exhaustion more likely. Many beers and other brews, also contain high amounts of calories, which settle in the midsection and are difficult to burn. The term “beer belly” was created for a good reason.
Changing your outlook is not an easy task, but it can be done with support and guidance. We develop bad habits because they are comfortable. With that in mind, your support network will become an essential tool when you’re making lifestyle changes. Weight loss is absolutely possible with the right mix of knowledge and confidence.
