5 Tips To Help You Stay Committed To Your Weight Loss Plan
As you make the choice to commit to a healthier lifestyle for weight loss, the biggest challenge is staying strong in your resolve to see it through and meet your goals. You might start out strong, but change is hard. Here are some simple things you can do to help you stick with it.
1. Plan and prep your meals.
Nothing is the enemy of your weight loss more than indecision. When you don't food planned and ready, you'll slip up when days get busy or when you get to hungry to feel like preparing something healthy. You might pick a day during the week where you chop all your veggies and cook lean meats ahead of time so they're ready to go when you need them.
2. Join a community.
Daily accountability can really help you visualize your success. Find a buddy who has similar goals as you have. Talk to each other each day about how you have done. You might avoid skipping a workout or overeating because you're motivated to have a positive report at the end of the day. If you don't want a buddy, a personal accountability program or weight loss coaching can help you to stay accountable to yourself.
3. Get out and about.
Most overeating occurs when you are not paying attention or when you're bored. If you plan your days to get out and have experiences, you aren't at home watching television or wishing for something to do. Try out a new class or hobby to distract yourself from feeling hungry or sore.
4. Do something you like.
Exercise doesn't have to feel like a chore. Instead, try and find something you enjoy and look forward to each day. Some people enjoy walking around the neighborhood. Other like the intensity of a crossfit workout. You might prefer working out with a dance group, or you might prefer running to music or listening to audiobooks. Keep in mind that exercise can seem hard at first, so give yourself some time with different types before you find the one that works for you. Once you find something you can be passionate about, stick with it and enjoy your improvements as they come.
5. Keep your language positive.
Talk kindly about yourself. Tell yourself you can do it, that you're doing well, or that it's okay to make one mistake every once in a while. When you slip up, don't be too brutal or think you're failing, as this can lead to a downward spiral of emotion that triggers the "fall off the wagon."