Weight loss does more than make you look good -- it also helps you feel good. Taking steps to change your lifestyle helps you to have more energy and improve your self-esteem. However, if you have tried to diet in the past and failed, losing weight by depriving yourself or making yourself feel bad if you failed can keep you from feeling good or wanting to try losing weight again. It's time to take a new approach: one that doesn't focus on deprivation, but instead focuses on making small changes that help you lose weight by adopting a lifestyle you can follow forever.
Step 1
Replace your daily dessert with a mix of fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or melons and top with low-fat whipped topping. This low-fat treat reduces your overall sugar intake, which can give you more energy and help you lose weight.
Step 2
Incorporate at least one additional vegetable serving into your daily diet. Try something new, like incorporating zucchini into a breakfast quiche. Added vegetables in your diet help you feel fuller, longer and reduce your daily calorie intake.
Step 3
Exercise five times per week. Find an activity you enjoy, like an exercise class, a scenic walk through your local walking trail or a mind-clearing run. If exercise feels less like a chore and more like something you look forward to, you are more likely to stick with it and experience weight loss.
Step 4
Incorporate stress-relieving activities into your weekly activities. Stress can harm your health and keep you from losing weight. Activities to try include meditation, yoga, writing in a journal or reading a favorite book.
Step 5
Celebrate your victories. When you meet a weight-loss goal, celebrate by doing something good for yourself that does not involve food. Examples might include going to a museum or a play with a friend, buying a new workout outfit or clothing item or throwing out clothing in a former size.
Tips and Warnings
- Seek help from a weight-loss or health professional if you have questions about proper eating methods or exercising and preventing injury. Consulting a professional can help you get started on the right path. You also may wish to address obstacles that have kept you from losing weight in the past.
- Avoid restricting any food groups. This can make you feel deprived, which can cause you to experience feelings of guilt, unhappiness and even desperation. This can throw your diet off balance and keep you from feeling good on your journey to weight loss.
Member Comments