How to lose weight forever, not for summer.
As you know, losing weight can be difficult, but keeping it off is the real challenge. We live in a world surrounded by the promise of quick fixes and easy results - this is not the journey you will be taking.
To lose the weight, and keep it off, requires a balanced and slow approach. At this point you might be thinking "oh great, so I'll have to stick at a diet I hate for years in the hopes I finally lose some of this weight". This is not true.
Yes, long term weight loss may take many years. But you will be steadily losing weight and gaining confidence as you go. In fact, it becomes quite the self fulfilling prophecy after a while. You also won't be on a diet you hate. You will eat the foods you like, have flexibility to enjoy a glass of wine and you certainly won't be starving yourself for the privilege.
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on achieving long-term weight loss! In this blog post, we will explore key points that can help you embark on a journey towards healthier living and maintaining your desired weight for the long haul.
Set Realistic Goals:
It's ok to have ambitious goals as long as you give yourself sufficient time to achieve them.
Set small goals along your journey to give the feel-good feeling of a win. Seriously, this will play a huge roll in keep you motivated and ensures you're staying on track for that bigger goal you had in mind.
Slow weight loss is good weight loss. 1 - 2lbs per week is plenty of weight loss.
Adopt a Balanced Diet:
Eat the foods you love as part of a balanced and nutritious diet that includes a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Practice portion control and eat slower. Understand what's on your plate and the calories you're taking in so you can build a balanced plate. Avoid eating fast, your body is full before you realise it is. Take your time and enjoy your food.
Stay Hydrated:
Water plays a vital role in weight loss and overall health. Drinking an adequate amount of water can help control appetite, boost metabolism, and support your body's natural detoxification processes.
Regular Physical Activity:
Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, focusing on activities you enjoy. It can be as simple as walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.
Your secret weapon is an active lifestyle on top of your prescribed exercise. You burn a lot of calories during the day when you move around. Walk, take the stairs and get active at every opportunity.
Prioritise Sleep:
Sleep is often overlooked, but it plays a significant role in weight management. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Inadequate sleep severally disrupts recovery and hormones related to hunger at satiety.
Manage Stress:
High-stress levels can lead to emotional eating and unhealthy food choices. Explore stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature. Seriously, this makes a difference!
Keep Track of Your Progress:
Monitoring your progress is key to ensuring your attaining your realistic goals we set in point 1. Get a coach or nutritionist to help you here or keep a journal as you go. This could be weight loss, measurements across the hips, arms, legs etc. or even just using the same shirt as reference. Find a way to track your progress and keep it consistent.
Don't be afraid to ask for help:
Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, or even online communities that share similar health and weight loss goals. This is where having a Nutritional expert is worth their weight in gold. You'll be set up with plan you know that work. Plus you've got years of experience to lean on when the going get tough, because the going will get tough.
Be Patient and Persistent:
Weight loss is not always linear, and you will encounter setbacks along the way. Stay patient, be persistent, and remind yourself of the long-term benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
Avoid Comparisons:
Everyone's weight loss journey is unique. Avoid comparing your progress to others, as it will only lead to discouragement or unhealthy habits. Focus on your achievements and celebrate your successes.
If you haven't picked up on it yet, the secret to long-term weight loss is a healthy lifestyle. We laid out 10 points to a healthy lifestyle that if properly implemented, will result in you losing weight. A healthy body is a lean body. It will take a long time, and this is good. If you change weight too drastically your body will push back, it thinks you're in danger. It will do everything it can to hold onto the weight to protect itself. Ironically, the greatest danger is actually in not losing the weight.
Take it slow, be patient and find many wins for yourself along the way. You'll look back and be thankful you did. Good luck!
