Losing weight is rarely fun when you first begin. Because you are overweight, it can be hard to move and somewhat painful to start a weight loss program, both physically and mentally. One thing that helps is having a plan and sticking to it. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start to lose weight.
Avoid eating before bed to see weight loss results. It is easier said than done, but avoid eating before bedtime. Any food you eat will not be burned off and just stored in your fat cells. Keep your mind occupied at night, by reading for example, to keep yourself from being tempted to overindulge in food.
Write down exactly what steps you are going to take to achieve your weight loss goal. Post the information in a highly visible place, such as your refrigerator, so that you are constantly reminded of what you are trying to do. Seeing that list provides you with a daily reminder of your goals and makes you much more likely to stick to your plan.
To help you lose weight, plan on eating a large, healthy breakfast each morning. Try to make sure that the food you choose is full of carbohydrates and protein. This strategy will help you avoid overeating at lunch time or craving snacks between the two meals. Egg whites are a good choice to help you achieve the results you want.
Start reading labels to help in your weight loss goal. Reading labels will assure you know what you are putting in your body, otherwise, you really have no idea. Knowing what you’re putting in your body will give you a better idea of the reason your weight loss is successful or not successful.
You can consume less calories, and lose more weight, if you take the time to cut up your food. Portion control is difficult for most people, so take a food that contains a large amount of calories (like chocolate) and cut it into smaller portions. You can still eat what you like, but by only consuming a small amount of the food, you will not gain as much weight.
Losing weight not only means eating healthy, it also means working out. Buying a pedometer will help you keep track of how much exercise you’re doing throughout the day. Not only will seeing a big set of numbers at the end of the day encourage you, being active will make you feel better and more accomplished.
You should make the habit of eating three times a day, at the same time every day. This will help you stay away from snacks and also help you reduce the quantity of food that you eat. Eat in the morning, around noon and around nine in the evening for better results.
When you arrive at work, park your car as far away from the entrance door as possible. The calories burned by this extra walking every work day can really add up and help you lose weight faster. If you use public transport, get off the train or bus a stop before your destination and walk the extra distance.
You should remember your daily calorie limit for your weight. If you know this, you can plan the amount of calories you should eat for each meal. Daily caloric intake is different for all people, so you should make sure to look up how many calories you can eat each day.
In order to maintain your weight loss it is important to keep the new habits you learned while losing weight. If you increased your fruits and vegetables, stopped drinking soda, and started exercising, you will still need to do that. You cannot work hard to reach your goal and then expect to stay there without effort.
Exercising is the key to changing your metabolism to achieve a weight loss vs. a weight gain. If you can’t afford a gym, there are tons of videos available that you could rent or purchase. Start with the basics for the first few weeks, while your body gets adjusted to this new wonderful lifestyle.
While trying to lose weight, you still may eat at fast food places from time to time. The best way to do this is to order the kid’s meal. Ordering a kid’s meal will control your portion and give you a taste of your favorite fast food. Don’t worry, if you are embarrassed to order a kid’s meal, go to the drive up window.
To keep from getting too hungry in between meals, eat plenty of protein. Protein takes a while for your body to break down, leaving you feeling full for long after your meal. A simple, protein rich snack such as lunch meat or string cheese can help you stave off hunger and stay on track with your diet.
When you are eating something that needs a dip (like carrot sticks or celery) choose a dip that is vegetable based like hummus. Many people use ranch dressing as a dip, and that it filled with fats that will do nothing good for any weight loss goal. The vegetable dip is filled with the proper vitamins and is low in fat and calories.
Weight loss can be easy. You have to burn more calories than you’ve consumed. Calories supply your body with energy. Burning calories is important, but so is the amount of calories that you are burning each day because you cannot lose weight unless you burn more calories that you take in.
Don’t forget your diet when you are eating out. If you are unsure of what a certain dish contains, don’t be afraid to ask. If your server doesn’t know, the chef will be able to answer any questions. Speak up as to how you would like your dish prepared. Ask for salad dressing on the side, otherwise your nutritious salad might end up containing more calories than your main dish. Always choose a dish that is baked, grilled or steamed, rather than something that is fried.
Using these tips as a mini-plan that you commit to will make bigger commitments possible. Try these tips and stick with them, and you will be confident enough to try bigger and better things; not only in weight loss but in life as well. And as you start to see results it will indeed become more fun.
