If you’re like millions of people all over the world, you not only want to lose weight, but you want to keep it off too. Unfortunately, there are just about as many weight-loss tips, tricks, diets, and fads as there are people who want to shed some pounds.
Well-meaning family and friends offer tips on everything from metabolism trackers to the cigarette diet and everything in between, but without the right initial strategy, the chances of your success are always going to be in question. While we can’t guarantee the two tips below will get you the same results as your weight loss prescription, these are strategies that have withstood the test of time and could be the very thing you need to finally reach your weight loss goals once and for all.
1. Commit to the Journey
Losing weight for good isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s going to take a real commitment from you over the long haul. This means you’ve got to be ready to make some serious changes to how you eat and move around. But here’s the thing: you can’t just jump into this kind of change without being really ready for it. If you try to start before you’re mentally prepared, you’re likely not going to stick with it and see the results you’re after.
Ask yourself:
- Are you really motivated to drop some pounds at this time?
- Do other things in your life take up too much attention, making it hard to focus on weight loss?
- When you’re stressed, do you find yourself reaching for snacks?
- Are you open to picking up new ways to deal with stress instead of eating?
- Do you need buddies or experts to help you handle your stress levels?
- Are you up for changing what and how you eat?
- Are you ready to switch up how active you are?
- Do you actually have time to dedicate to changing your eating and activity habits?
If stress or emotions are getting in the way of your weight loss readiness, it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor about it. They can help you tackle these barriers. Once you feel ready, setting goals and sticking to them, as well as changing your habits, will become much more manageable.
2. Identify Your Inner Drive
Remember, the decision and effort to lose weight have to come from you; no one else can do it for you. It’s essential that the changes you make to your diet and exercise routines are ones you’re making for yourself—because you want to, not because someone else says you should.
What’s going to light that fire within you to keep going, even when it gets tough? Take the time to pinpoint your personal reasons for wanting to lose weight. Maybe it’s to feel more confident on a beach vacation you’re looking forward to, or perhaps it’s aiming for a healthier lifestyle overall.
Whatever your reasons, keep them close. They’re your personal ‘daily vitamin prescription’ for motivation. To keep your drive alive, consider strategies like placing motivational notes in visible spots around your house, like on your fridge or snack cabinet. This way, when temptation looms, your reminders of why you started this journey can help steer you back on track.
Conclusion
These are the two main keys to success. Motivation and commitment go a long way in any endeavor, but they are critical here because, without them, you might as well put your efforts toward something fun. When you’re committed and motivated, it’s easier to stick with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. And when you can stay consistent over time, sustainable weight loss is possible.
