Most people actually do lose the weight but find that they gain it all back and even more at a later time, which can be very frustrating.
Get a scale: You cannot begin a race without knowing where your starting point was. Before you begin your weight loss journey, get yourself a good bathroom weight scale so you can see what you currently weigh. A lot of people do not like to face the truth of how far they have let themselves go, but it is very important to do this so you can track your progress. As you keep weighing yourself and the numbers keep going down, it can serve as the best push you need to keep going. Someday, you will look back at the number you began with and feel nothing but pride at your achievement.
Get rid of the bad stuff: To lose weight, you must get rid of the stuff that is bad for you. Get rid of junk food, sweets and other kinds of food that has no nutritional value whatsoever. A quick scan of the internet or a visit to a doctor will provide you with a list of things to avoid so you can make sure you get the best out of this journey you are about to embark upon.
Exercise: Losing weight is not all about just eating well, you need to exercise too. Granted, it is a fast-paced world we live in, but it is very important that you get in some physical activity. The key to exercising while on the move is to do what you love. If you give yourself an exercise regimen that you hate, it will not only feel like punishment, but you will be even more likely to quit. Choose an activity you love, such as strolling, dancing, swimming, etc, and find a way to do it more often. If you enjoy it, it will be easier to keep at it. Also, incorporate other important tips for getting more exercise out of your daily life, such as taking stairs instead of a lift, walking to and fro your bus-stop instead of taking a bike/bus, doing some stuff on the job while standing as opposed to sitting all day, etc.
Take it slow: Since this is a life change that you hope to keep at for years to come, it is important that you do not rush it. A lot of people who rush into weight loss end up losing a bunch of weight in little time, but they end up gaining it back in the long run, which completely defeats the purpose. So, make sure you take baby steps as you begin this journey. Start with a few minutes of exercise daily before you begin doing hours. Do not suddenly begin starving yourself, just cut down your food intake gradually. It should be noted that crash dieting (when you rush into it with full force) is extremely unhealthy and no doctor advises this.
Remember your goals: The list you made at the beginning of your journey is not for fun. It is so that you can keep going back to it when you feel like giving up. So, every once in a while, take it out, read it, and get yourself in the state of mind you were when you wrote it. It should encourage you to get back on track.
Reward yourself: A weight loss journey does not mean you are under punishment, or on a break from anything fun. Give yourself a (non food-related) treat for time to time. For instance, if you go a week without your favorite sugary drink, or if you were able to lose some weight, you can reward yourself by buying yourself something nice that you will not normally buy. Or if you were able to get down a couple of dress sizes, then you can even get yourself an outfit in your new size so you can revel on how far you have come. Looking forward to rewards like these from time to time helps keep you excited.
When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, consistency is key. Being healthy is a way of life and not something you should do for a few months and then stop. So make sure you make changes that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.
Source: Naij
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