6 Weight loss strategies for success

Make your weight-loss goals a reality. Consider following these 6 strategies for weight-loss success. 

1. Make a commitment

Permanent weight loss takes time and effort and a lifelong commitment. Make sure that you're ready to make permanent changes and that you do so for the right reasons. 

To stay committed to your weight loss, you need to be focused. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy to change your habits. So as you're planning new weight-loss-related lifestyle changes, make a plan to address other stresses in your life first, such as financial problems or relationship conflicts. While these stresses may never go away completely, managing them better should improve your ability to focus on achieving a healthier lifestyle. Then, once you're ready to launch your weight-loss plan, set a start date and then start. 

2. Find your inner motivation

While you have to take responsibility for your own behaviour for successful weight loss, it helps to have support of the right kind. Pick people to support you who will encourage you in positive ways, without shame, embarrassment or sabotage. If you prefer to keep your weight-loss plans private, be accountable to yourself by having regular weigh-ins and recording your diet and exercise progress in a journal. 

3. Set realistic goals

It may seem obvious to set realistic weight-loss goals. But do you really know what's realistic? Over the long term, it's best to aim for losing a half to one kilogram a week, although initially you might lose weight more quickly than that if you make significant changes - just be sure the changes are health supporting. To lose a half to one kilogram a week, you need to burn 500 to 1 000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular exercise. 

4. Enjoy healthier foods

Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake. In particular, get your weight loss started by eating a healthy breakfast every day; eating at least four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits daily; and using healthy fats, such as olive oil, vegetable oils and nut butters. In addition, cut back on sugar, choose low-fat dairy products and keep meat consumption to a 3-ounce portion (about the size of a deck of cards). 

5. Get active, stay active

While you can lose weight without exercise, exercise plus calorie restriction can help give you the weight-loss edge. Exercise can help burn off the excess calories you can't cut through diet alone. Exercise also offers numerous health benefits, including boosting your mood, strengthening your cardiovascular system and reducing your blood pressure. It can also help in maintaining weight loss. Studies show that people who endeavour to undertake regular physical activity, maintain their weight loss over the long term.

6. Change your perspective

Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating patterns and daily routine. After assessing your personal challenges to weight loss, try working out a strategy to gradually change habits and attitudes that have sabotaged your past efforts. You likely will have an occasional setback. But instead of giving up entirely after a setback, simply start fresh the next day. Remember that you're planning to change your life. It won't happen all at once. Stick to your healthy lifestyle and the results will be worth it. 

 

 

 

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