**First let me make a huge disclaimer here... I am no master at losing weight and I have not lost all of the weight that I want to lose, but I have tried a variety of diets, weight loss plans, fad diets and any other yo-yo dieting technique that is out there and I feel that I have finally found a way that fits me best and that I can stick to! My hope is that you will be able to do the same!! **
1. Find or Create A Realistic Plan
Realistic. That's the key word in everything you do and plan to do during this weight loss journey. If it isn't realistic then don't even bother. Examples of unrealistic plans are cutting out all sugar for the rest of your life. First off, that is basically impossible and second off, are you really never going to have a piece of cake or sugary beverage ever again? Not even once? A more realistic plan would be to limit sugar in your daily diet and save more sugary items for a special occasion.
Pick something that you can stick to. If you can't afford to pay for a gym membership for the rest of your life, then find an at home workout plan that you enjoy and can afford (just throwing a little plug in here for my favorite at home workout plans-contact me if you want to find out more!)! If you don't want to count calories the rest of your life then maybe pick a plan that teaches you how to eat correct portion sizes without having to count calories, just an example would be the 21 day fix! It's not something you have to do the rest of your life, it's more of a teaching tool that will benefit you for the rest of your life!
So basically, just be realistic about what you can and want to do and also what you can and want to pay for. Your ultimate goal should be to find something that you wouldn't mind keeping in your life for a long time!
2. Join a Support Group
This is a new concept to me and I have experienced first hand how important and vital these groups are to my success and continued motivation! Support groups have been around for a long time, but it hasn't been until recently that they have popped up all over the internet, especially on Facebook! You keep yourself much more accountable if you are able to share updates and progress with other like-minded people.
The members in these support groups are there to keep you motivated and offer tips to help you be even more successful! I know there have been multiple times when I didn't feel like going to the gym or I was about to indulge in an unnecessary treat and I just talked with a few people in my online Facebook support group and they reminded me of why I'm doing what I'm doing and that going to the gym would make me feel a lot better!
Go find a few support groups and see if any of them fit what you're looking for!
3. Keep Your Close Friends and Family Involved in Your Journey
This is a really important one. If you try to keep your fitness and weight loss journey secret, it will be tougher at family holidays and social events with your friends. They will be more likely to question why you aren't having that second glass of wine or beer and it can make you feel uncomfortable. BUT if you keep them involved in your journey then they will understand why you may not be indulging as much and won't pester you about it.
I know that's one of the things I found the toughest in college, was when my friends would pester me about not drinking as often as I had been before. They just didn't understand that I was working my butt off in the kitchen and in the gym and I didn't want to throw away a whole day's work on a few drinks and pizza at night. Hopefully you'll be able to share your progress and setbacks with your family and friends, and it may even keep you more accountable!
4. Take Before, During & After Pictures/Measurements
This is something I learned about after I had started my fitness journey. Thankfully I didn't learn too late and was able to take before pictures near the earlier stages of my journey. Although one thing I still haven't done yet (and I keep pushing off) is taking measurements. These measurements will tell you a lot more about your progress than the scale will... I PROMISE! I'm 5 pounds heavier than when I bought my first business suit my freshmen year of college, but it's too big. I've slimed down and replaced some fat with some muscle and am therefore a little smaller than I was 4 years ago. The scale doesn't reflect this as accurately as the tape measure would.. if I would actually take the time to measure myself.
I'm starting the 21 Day Fix in June as soon as I get back from Europe and I PROMISE I will take measurements! :)
5. Remind Yourself of Your Goals Each & Everyday
Everyday I look myself in the mirror and tell myself that I'm closer today than I was yesterday. I try to keep my end goals near the front of my brain so that I am more likely to make decisions that align with my end goals. It also helps to get me back on track after a not so great night or day. The worst thing we can do is just give up.
Who cares if you had a terrible weekend and binge ate everything in site?! On Sunday or Monday get your butt to the gym and get your eating back on track! You didn't die. Fat isn't permanent, you can always lose it! So don't give up if you took a step or two backwards.. get up off your feet and take a step forward.
1. Find or Create A Realistic Plan
Realistic. That's the key word in everything you do and plan to do during this weight loss journey. If it isn't realistic then don't even bother. Examples of unrealistic plans are cutting out all sugar for the rest of your life. First off, that is basically impossible and second off, are you really never going to have a piece of cake or sugary beverage ever again? Not even once? A more realistic plan would be to limit sugar in your daily diet and save more sugary items for a special occasion.
Pick something that you can stick to. If you can't afford to pay for a gym membership for the rest of your life, then find an at home workout plan that you enjoy and can afford (just throwing a little plug in here for my favorite at home workout plans-contact me if you want to find out more!)! If you don't want to count calories the rest of your life then maybe pick a plan that teaches you how to eat correct portion sizes without having to count calories, just an example would be the 21 day fix! It's not something you have to do the rest of your life, it's more of a teaching tool that will benefit you for the rest of your life!
So basically, just be realistic about what you can and want to do and also what you can and want to pay for. Your ultimate goal should be to find something that you wouldn't mind keeping in your life for a long time!
2. Join a Support Group
This is a new concept to me and I have experienced first hand how important and vital these groups are to my success and continued motivation! Support groups have been around for a long time, but it hasn't been until recently that they have popped up all over the internet, especially on Facebook! You keep yourself much more accountable if you are able to share updates and progress with other like-minded people.
The members in these support groups are there to keep you motivated and offer tips to help you be even more successful! I know there have been multiple times when I didn't feel like going to the gym or I was about to indulge in an unnecessary treat and I just talked with a few people in my online Facebook support group and they reminded me of why I'm doing what I'm doing and that going to the gym would make me feel a lot better!
Go find a few support groups and see if any of them fit what you're looking for!
3. Keep Your Close Friends and Family Involved in Your Journey
This is a really important one. If you try to keep your fitness and weight loss journey secret, it will be tougher at family holidays and social events with your friends. They will be more likely to question why you aren't having that second glass of wine or beer and it can make you feel uncomfortable. BUT if you keep them involved in your journey then they will understand why you may not be indulging as much and won't pester you about it.
I know that's one of the things I found the toughest in college, was when my friends would pester me about not drinking as often as I had been before. They just didn't understand that I was working my butt off in the kitchen and in the gym and I didn't want to throw away a whole day's work on a few drinks and pizza at night. Hopefully you'll be able to share your progress and setbacks with your family and friends, and it may even keep you more accountable!
4. Take Before, During & After Pictures/Measurements
This is something I learned about after I had started my fitness journey. Thankfully I didn't learn too late and was able to take before pictures near the earlier stages of my journey. Although one thing I still haven't done yet (and I keep pushing off) is taking measurements. These measurements will tell you a lot more about your progress than the scale will... I PROMISE! I'm 5 pounds heavier than when I bought my first business suit my freshmen year of college, but it's too big. I've slimed down and replaced some fat with some muscle and am therefore a little smaller than I was 4 years ago. The scale doesn't reflect this as accurately as the tape measure would.. if I would actually take the time to measure myself.
I'm starting the 21 Day Fix in June as soon as I get back from Europe and I PROMISE I will take measurements! :)
5. Remind Yourself of Your Goals Each & Everyday
Everyday I look myself in the mirror and tell myself that I'm closer today than I was yesterday. I try to keep my end goals near the front of my brain so that I am more likely to make decisions that align with my end goals. It also helps to get me back on track after a not so great night or day. The worst thing we can do is just give up.
Who cares if you had a terrible weekend and binge ate everything in site?! On Sunday or Monday get your butt to the gym and get your eating back on track! You didn't die. Fat isn't permanent, you can always lose it! So don't give up if you took a step or two backwards.. get up off your feet and take a step forward.