It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time trying to lose weight, or your fiftieth time, the most important thing you can do is have a plan. Before you start your weight loss journey it’s a good idea to do your homework and find out what kind of diet and exercise plan is going to be right for you.
There are a lot of things to consider when embarking on a healthier lifestyle. You need to make sure you get enough sleep, have a caloric deficit, and find a workout routine that is sustainable for you. Here are six quick tips to help you get started.
1. Eat Healthy Food
There is no hard and fast rule that says you need to stick to one diet. The important thing is that you eat healthily and watch your calorie intake. Try to eat plenty of leafy greens and superfoods, while avoiding excess sodium and empty calories.
2. Try a Specific Diet
If you do decide to try out a specific diet, there are many out there that have worked for a lot of people on their weight loss journey. Some of the more popular ones include the Mediterranean diet, Atkins diet, and the Keto diet. If you opt for the Keto diet, there are plenty of great food and drink choices like this delicious keto shake.
3. Realistic Exercise Plan
One of the worst things you can do on your weight loss journey is set an exercise plan that is going to be impossible to achieve or burn you out. When you realize you can’t accomplish the lofty expectations you’ve set, it’s easy to want to give up. That’s not what we want. Start small and set goals that are attainable for you.
4. Hire a Trainer
For many, a personal trainer is a great option. A trainer will create a sustainable plan that won’t burn you out and help you lose weight at an even rate. The important thing is to move your body every day. Even if it’s just walking, make sure you set a specific amount of time for activity each day and make it non-negotiable.
5. Set Goals
When we write out a goal, we are much more likely to follow it. Set goals that will challenge you but are also achievable. This might include things like 10,000 steps per day, eating X number of calories per day, or hitting the gym five times per week.
6. Take It a Step Further and Try SMART Goals
Try to use SMART goals, which stand for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. An example of a SMART goal would be that you want to lose two pounds per week for one month (this will be different for everyone). For many, this example would check all the boxes of a SMART goal and keep you focused on what you want to achieve. You can set a variety of these goals.
Strive for Success on Your Weight Loss Journey
A weight loss journey will be different for everyone and it’s important to practice self-compassion and take your journey one day at a time. Everybody is different and will require a unique plan to achieve their goal. For more great articles on fitness and tanning, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.
