One of the most discouraging occurrences for a dieter is when her weight loss journey goes off track. You may be one of those people who has successfully dropped weight only to get to a point where you have stopped losing or find you've gained back some hard lost pounds. It is important to get your focus and motivation back as quickly as possible following your unfortunate detour.
Redefine Objectives
One reason many diets and exercise programs go off track is unrealistic goals. The DesMoines Register recommends you make a list of what worked for you in dieting before and what didn't. This identifying exercise will allow you to drop what did not work for you in the past. You might have tried to lose weight too quickly with a highly restricted calorie intake and a workout program that is too strenuous. Take time to redefine your goals. Work toward losing one to two pounds per week on a healthy eating plan that does not drop below 1,200 calories per day. Restart an exercise program that begins gradually and increases over time as your weight drops and you obtain better conditioning.
Spice Up Nutrition
Spice up your menus if you dread going back on boring diet. You can take bland foods that are low in calories and season them with herbs and spices that will make them more flavorful and satisfying. Experiment with rosemary on potatoes, cayenne on beans, cinnamon or mint on fresh fruit, rosemary and thyme on potato dishes, cilantro or cumin in soups and cilantro, curry or cumin on various vegetables. Take a health-oriented Asian or African cooking class to learn how to cook different dishes that will enliven your eating plan.
New Physical Activities
You might have become tired of your exercise program. If this program consists of only one particular activity such as jogging, it is understandable that your enthusiasm wanes after a period of time. Incorporate new types of exercise into your days to fight the temptation of leading a sedentary lifestyle. Try out different activities such as Zoomba dance, a martial art, lacrosse or Pilates. Find a couple of activities you can get passionate about and enjoy their weight loss benefits.
Plan Ahead
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics recommends you plan ahead to avoid your weight loss program from going awry again. Learn what particular things trigger overeating for you. Many people lose focus during holidays or vacations. You can avoid binges at parties by eating a meal before the event and stationing yourself far from the buffet during the event. Don't be too restrictive with yourself, however, as forbidding yourself from eating anything at the party might backfire. Instead, determine before the party what type of foods you will allow yourself and in what amounts. Often there will be a fresh fruit and veggie tray from which you can make good choices.
Get Support
A final way to get your weight loss back on track is to elicit the help of others. Find a friend who also wants to lose weight to work out with and consult on a frequent basis. You might also it helpful to join a support group or weight loss club where you can share your feelings and experiences, and listen to those of other people. Your physician and other health care providers can be consulted for their advice and recommendations. Seek support too from your family members. Teach them how to help you by not offering fattening foods or making comments that make you uncomfortable. Remember, you do not have to shoulder all the burden of losing the weight as others can and will want to help.
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