One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, taking steps to achieve our health goals can be daunting, and success can be hard to achieve and maintain. Many people make January the start of their weight loss journey, but once they lose that initial momentum, they often, sadly, give up.
In this article, I will give you some vital tips about what truly matters when starting and, more importantly, keeping up with a weight loss journey.
I have been through a weight loss journey and spent over 700 hours with clients, so I fully understand the challenges of achieving Weight Loss.
Having a clear action plan and achievable goals will help.
A great way to start is by establishing a plan that outlines eating habits, any activity you will do, triggers for poor eating, and other lifestyle modifications.
This is not a short-term fix and will require effort and time investment from the start to the rest of your life. You must be clear about what you want to achieve from this journey. Despite what the fitness and dieting world will ‘sell you’, no quick-fix drug or tools will help you with this.
Please don’t start this journey unless you are ready to commit to achieving a long-term lifestyle change and all the hurdles and challenges it entails.
By being clear about the investment of time, energy and drive needed, you don’t want to ‘miss sell’ what this journey is to you.
Keeping track of progress can help us hold ourselves accountable and assess our progress.
I firmly believe that “that which is not measured cannot be managed”. One of the critical factors in a weight loss journey is progress, which helps nurture and develop motivation.
However, we cannot see progress unless we track it; this is where a food diary comes in. Awareness of your choices and actions is vital to making better choices, and you will struggle to do this without some form of tracking.
Do you need to count every single calorie? No, not at all, but unless you know daily a rough idea of how much food you are eating, you will be unable to keep on track.
Speaking of keeping on track, people only keep this journey up if they feel they are making progress. Why put yourself through all this effort if you gain nothing from it? That is why it is important to weigh yourself weekly and track things other than weight.
For example, look at the waist or other body measurements such as arms. What about energy levels and overall mood? A weight loss journey is not always about weight but the more considerable general changes that lead to you feeling better.
Remember, this is a challenging ride. There will be bumps in the road
It can be challenging to stick with a plan over time, and that’s perfectly normal. Don’t beat yourself up if you have fallen off the bandwagon.
Firstly, start by reflecting on what may have caused you to fall off the bandwagon and brainstorm strategies such as setting realistic goals, changing your routine, and teaming up with a friend to help you stay accountable. Creating a schedule to plan and prepare your meals, snacks, and exercise activities can help you stay on track!
Routine is vital to a weight loss journey, and the understanding that you don’t need to eat ideally. This is a long-term lifestyle change, including the occasional treat now and then.
One of the worst things to do is to deny yourself, as no one likes to be told no. Remember, this is not a diet but a lifestyle change.
Final Tips on Weight Loss
Weight Loss is not just for January; it’s for the rest of your life. It requires a commitment to put yourself first and show love towards yourself and your health.
Please stop hoping for a quick fix to your weight issues, as they will never help in the long run. Like anything important in life, this journey requires effort.
Please remember that you are not alone on this journey. Millions worldwide struggle with this, and asking for help is okay.
I know that I would never have been able to achieve my weight loss journey without support, so reach out to friends, family and those around you.
If you need any further support from me, please don’t hesitate to reach out and check out my website www.breakthroughlifecoaching.co.uk/
David
Your Weight Loss Coach