From the minute you wake up to your final blink at night, there are steps you can take to encourage long-lasting and sustainable weight loss. Focus on losing weight by taking it one day at a time. Set your alarm, get your gym kit ready and stock your fridge with healthy foods to make the most of your commitment, and really make it work this time.
Get Up
While getting up as soon as you wake may sound obvious, lying in bed can lead to procrastination. Make your daily workout a priority. You're more likely to exercise consistently if you work out in the morning, according to MedicineNet.com. Plan to exercise in the morning for at least 30 minutes. Prepare for your workout the night before. Have your workout gear and your MP3 player ready to go.
Eat Breakfast
Start your day with a large--yet nutritious--breakfast. Replenish the fuel you burned during your morning workout. Make breakfast your biggest meal of the day. Avoid big lunch and dinner meals--it's better to have three to four small meals throughout the day.
Keep a Diary
Write down everything you eat and drink--it might surprise you just how many calories you consume each day. Use your food diary to identify areas where you could improve. This also is a useful tool if you want to talk to a health professional about your diet.
10,000 Steps
Wear a pedometer to find out how many steps you walk in an average day. Take that number and boost it by another 10,000 steps, which is about five miles. The extra steps will make your heart healthier and reduce body fat, according to the British Heart Foundation. Don't sit down and veg in front of the TV at night. Whether you're cleaning, gardening or walking your dog, move as much as possible. This will encourage further weight loss.
Water of Life
Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Make this a key part of your weight loss plan. Water flushes out your system and helps with satiation. It also replenishes water you lose from sweating during your workouts. Avoid alcohol, which is full of empty calories. Alcohol will make you hungrier while you're consuming it, as well as the next day when you have a hangover.
Sleep Well
Go to bed as early as possible. However, only go to bed when you are tired--you don't want to toss and turn. A good night's sleep is scientifically proven to help in the battle against obesity. Get more sleep if you really want to lose weight, according to MedicineNet.com. Wake up refreshed and ready to start your healthy routine all over again.
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