1. Be realistic.
You didn’t gain all of those unwanted pounds overnight, right? Well, you’re not going to lose all of them overnight either. Whether you have 15, 40 or 100+ pounds to lose, it’s going to take some time, so don’t beat yourself up. You’re only human for goodness sake, so expect a few slipups along the way. And get this: Studies have shown that those who lose weight gradually and steadily are more likely to keep it off in the long run. Start making healthier choices today and watch those pounds melt off.
2. Make fitness fun.
Many of us groan at the thought of working out, but exercise doesn’t have to be a drag. Why not spice it up by adding a buddy (you could even throw in a friendly competition), signing up for a group class or taking up a sport. Also, mix it up! No one wants to do the same exercise routine day in and day out. If the treadmill is your thing, try switching it up by walking around your neighborhood on a nice day. Your workout is what you make it, so make it fun!
3. Do it for yourself.
“Why do I want to lose weight?” “Do I want to improve my health?” “Am I doing it to please others?” “Am I setting realistic goals?” “How will I track my progress?” These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself before beginning your weight loss journey. Losing weight is already stressful enough and doing so for the wrong reasons can make it worse. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to shed a little extra weight as long as you do it for you and you only.
