In order to lose weight successfully, you first have to realize that losing weight is a journey with a specific destination. Right now, youre at the very beginning and about to take the first step towards changing your eating and lifestyle habits, so that you can have the body you really want.
Of course, this isnt going to be easy nothing worthwhile ever is. You should pat yourself on the back for making a commitment to yourself that youre finally ready to do this. So many people cant even make it this far. So, in a sense, youre already ahead of the game.
Your goal should be to lose one or two pounds a week, if you lose more than that, great, but dont push for it. You want to stay mentally focused, healthy and determined. If you push too hard, or try to force your body to lose big numbers, then youll eventually stress yourself out and hit a wall that may lead to failure.
Heres some suggestions that you can use to create a successful weight loss plan:
Set a Reasonable Goal
Your first step should be to decide how much weight you want to lose. Get some 3x5 index cards and write one goal or positive statement down on each one. Start by writing down your ideal weight, this is your ultimate big goal.
Next, you want to set smaller goals for yourself. Write down a goal for losing five pounds, then ten pounds, twenty pounds, etc.
Write down some positive motivational statements about yourself.
I love myself unconditionally
Im a great person inside and outside
Im going to smile and laugh today
I deserve this and Im worth it
Keep these cards where youll be able to look at them every day.
Eat Smaller Portions More Often
Growing up you were probably taught to eat three meals a day. You were also probably taught to clean your plate. While this schedule of eating meals is well-intentioned, the fact is that you are going to get hungry between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and dinner.
Not only are you probably having a large portion for each meal, but you are also snacking on junk food in between. Unfortunately, this way of eating leads to a lot of weight gain. Its been proven that if you eat several small meals during the day, you wont get hungry between meals and when you do, its easier to snack on something that has less calories.
Plan to eat five small meals a day, instead of three, and see if that helps to curb your food cravings.
Keep a Food Journal
Just like a diary is a snippet of events that happen in your life, a food journal helps you to keep track of what youre really putting into your mouth on a daily basis. You probably have a mental picture of what you normally eat, but when you see it in writing, you may be surprised at all the extra foods youre eating without even thinking about it.
Write down what you ate, what time you ate it, and how you felt when you ate that particular food. Sometimes when we eat certain comfort foods were really trying to use food to fill up an emotional hole in our hearts.
Feelings of loneliness, boredom, stress, anger and low-self esteem are often triggers for food binging. Write it down and you can go back and evaluate it later.
Treat Yourself
When you reach one of your weight loss goals, go ahead and treat yourself to something special. The only catch is that your reward cannot be a food item. Thats right, you will not have a bowl of ice cream or a big slice of pizza.
You want to mentally get away from thinking of food as a reward or a security blanket. So, think of some other things that will put a smile on your face. Money is always a good reward. Maybe you can create a reward jar and pay yourself five dollars for every milestone achieved. You could go on a nice shopping spree after youve reached your final goal weight.
You could also buy yourself some fresh flowers, a nice pair of earrings, a new video game, a new tie, etc.
Another great idea is to make up your own reward coupon books.
I hope these tips are helpful and that you are successful in creating a healthier and happier new you.
By: Star Smith
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