As many of you know, I've really been working hard to win the weight loss battle. To date, I've lost 12 pounds and have made clean eating a lifestlye change! I've posted some advice I got from one of my online support groups have Check it out!
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How
to win the Weight Loss Battle
Winners Set Small Goals
It seems so
straightforward: Your main goal is to lose weight. So, now you can just decide
how much to lose and power through to the finish line, right? Unfortunately,
simply knowing how many pounds you want to drop may not be enough to help you
win this game. Rather than only focusing on the end zone, a better strategy is
to set lots of small milestones on your weight-loss journey. Perhaps you want
to run a 5K, curl 20-pound dumbbells, squeeze more veggies into your diet, or
fit into a smaller pair of jeans. All of these are great goals and tackling
each one can keep you motivated to keep fighting the good fight. Plus, meeting
these smaller benchmarks gives you the opportunity for more frequent pats on
the back. If you only focus weight loss as your main achievement, you’ll miss
out on celebrating all of the other small victories!
Winners Take Breaks and
Timeouts
When you first set out to
shed pounds, it is easy to overdo it. We all know that the best way to lose
weight is by eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity. But, if
you set too many harsh rules and regulations at the start, you’re likely to get
overwhelmed by a too-strict diet and a tough-to-follow workout schedule. When
you’re developing your weight-loss game plan, make sure that you pencil in time
for breaks. Take a diet timeout to enjoy a slice of cake at friend’s birthday
party. Schedule a relaxing soak in the tub on your day off from the gym. Be
sure that your weight-loss rules include moderation and flexibility for you to
spend some time (and calories) on the things you love in life. This will help
you stay on track longer and reach lasting weight-loss success.
Winners Are Proud of
Themselves
Publicly stating your
goals and achievements has been proven to help people make steady progress.
Everyone needs some support and accountability, so it’s important to let people
around you know that you’re working on your weight loss and fitness. Plus, the
more pride you show in your new skills, the more likely you’ll be to keep
practicing them over time. Bring healthy snacks to family gatherings and share
the recipe. Challenge your gym buddy to step up to a higher pace on the
treadmill. Dare a co-worker to stay away from desserts for one whole week along
with you. Letting others in on your goals will make you feel like a champion
and can help you take your game to the next level.
Winners Take On New
Challenges
Starting out with small,
achievable goals is important for boosting your ego and scoring you some points
early in the game. But be ever-mindful of the dreaded boredom that can set in
as you adapt to your exercise and diet routines. Challenge creates change! So,
when your yoga lessons seem stale, your salads are in a slump, or your local
bike trail stops calling your name, you know it’s time to mix things up. As you
start winning at weight loss, it will be crucial to keep assessing your
emotional state and mental focus. Make a habit of stepping out of your comfort
zone and stepping up to new challenges.
Winners Keep Score
How do you know how well
you're doing if you're not keeping score? While "pounds lost" isn’t
the only important digit to tally, it's important to track your progress in as
many ways as possible. Start recording each move in the right direction: how
much water you drink each day, how many servings of veggies you eat in a week,
how many minutes of exercise you log, and more. Keeping track of more than just
the numbers on the scale will help you realize progress when it happens, and
this will motivate you to stay on course.
Winners Are Part of a
Team
There is no "I"
in "success." We often think of weight loss in terms of individual
goals and meal plans. But many others currently share in your same struggle. If
we really want to reverse the obesity epidemic, we need to start thinking of
weight loss and healthy living as a team sport. And with all the resources
available today, from in-person support groups to online forums to workplace
wellness committees, no dieter or fitness newbie should feel they have to go it
alone. One winning strategy is to reach out within your office, your school,
your family, your community and get others psyched up to slim down. The more
team members you can recruit to join your weight-loss challenge, the more
likely you and your team will rise to victory! Join my team at www.teambeachbody.com/kursta
Winners Make It Fun
What do parents tell
their kids the first time they try a new game or sport? "It isn’t about
whether you win or lose. Just have fun playing the game!" The same advice
applies to weight loss. Worrying too much about your waistline can actually cause
you to engage in stress eating or become too depressed to work out. When you’re
trying hard to stick to your game plan, it is easy to underestimate the joy of
the process. Do whatever you can to make healthy choices more fun. Whether
you’ve discovered a new dog park near home, convinced a neighbor to start a
vegetable garden, or counseled a walking buddy through a tough time, getting
healthy has likely brought some great experiences your way. Step back every so
often and remind yourself to enjoy the game and appreciate the important
lessons you’re learning along the way!
It seems so
straightforward: Your main goal is to lose weight. So, now you can just decide
how much to lose and power through to the finish line, right? Unfortunately,
simply knowing how many pounds you want to drop may not be enough to help you
win this game. Rather than only focusing on the end zone, a better strategy is
to set lots of small milestones on your weight-loss journey. Perhaps you want
to run a 5K, curl 20-pound dumbbells, squeeze more veggies into your diet, or
fit into a smaller pair of jeans. All of these are great goals and tackling
each one can keep you motivated to keep fighting the good fight. Plus, meeting
these smaller benchmarks gives you the opportunity for more frequent pats on
the back. If you only focus weight loss as your main achievement, you’ll miss
out on celebrating all of the other small victories!
Winners Take On New
Challenges