How to not stress about losing weight

Focus on yourself

Getting stressed out over losing weight is common for many women. There's a lot of pressure, frustration and anxiety to deal with.

Keep in mind that losing weight isn't a punishment to inflict on yourself. It's a lifestyle choice – and one that's going to make you happier and healthier.

According to Dr. Khandee Ahnaimugan, medical doctor, weight loss expert and author of Slim and Healthy without Dieting: The Weight Loss Solution for Women over 40, the more unpleasant you make losing weight, the less likely you'll succeed at doing it.

Instead of forcing yourself to hit the gym at 5.30am or starving yourself in order to shed extra calories, you should be asking yourself this question:

"How can I maximise my chances of sticking with this weight loss plan for life?"

Weight loss isn't an overnight success. It takes time and dedication. Most of all, it takes being kind to yourself.

Small changes you can make right now

• Cut back on portion sizes by roughly 10%.

• Remove tempting foods from your home and office space.

Have a realistic focus

• Instead of pressurising yourself to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain date, see it as a long-term goal.

• Instead of making drastic changes, make smaller ones that will fit in with your lifestyle.

• Make sure that with your weight loss goals, you can still get out and socialise, travel and enjoy life.

• Focus on refining and improving your weight loss goals, and don't be hard on yourself if something isn't working. You've got to do what's best for you.

• Be persistent and don't give up.

• Get motivated and inspired every day.

Losing weight isn't a prison sentence for your body. Embrace the experience and zone in on what you truly want out of life in order to become happier and healthier.

Recommended reading: Lose weight without obsessing over the scale

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