Weight loss: 3 steps to success
We are now 4 months into 2019! How is your New Year's Resolution coming along? One of the most common resolutions people make is to lose weight. However, staying focused on the goal and maintaining the same level of motivation throughout the year can be quite tricky. While some people want to be healthier in order to run or cycle faster, others would like to lose weight to reduce the health risks that are associated with being overweight. Although the two sound alike, they are actually very different goals. This article focuses on losing weight for the health benefits rather than fitness performance. Here are a handful of tips to get you started on your weight loss journey as well as a few tricks to keep your motivation in check for even longer.
1. Focus on Portion Control
Your first focus in terms of losing weight should be in the kitchen rather than in the gym. Weight loss often has a lot more to do with what you eat (and how much) rather than how many hours you spend exercising each day. In fact, I have a favorite meme that I share on my Facebook page that says “Fitness is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. You can’t outrun your fork!”. Portion control and eating healthy, nutrient dense foods should be a main focus on your weight loss journey.
2. Keep a Diet Journal
What you eat and how much is easier to keep track of if you write it down in a journal or in an app on your phone. You don’t necessarily have to figure out how many calories you eat at each meal, though. The main point is to give you a guideline throughout the year and something to help you with accountability and motivation. On the days when you’re feeling deprived, you can always take a look through the journal for inspiration and ideas in terms of what to eat. Take a look at what days you were most successful and compare what you ate on the days that you may have fallen off track.
3. Find Delicious and Healthy Food
While eating less is one of the biggest factors in losing weight, it’s going to be really tough to consume fewer calories if you don’t enjoy what you’re eating. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious food options out there! In fact, many restaurants now have low calorie, healthy options to choose from. There are also some great home delivery meal prep plans for those who are short on time or do not enjoy cooking.