My Top Tips for Successful Weight Loss

6 Tips to Help You Lose Weight

So, you know it’s important to exercise and eat healthily when you’re trying to lose weight.

You know that it’s important to know where you’re going on your journey and how you’re going to get there.

You also know it’s important to look after yourself. Deal with stress and get a good night’s sleep.

But what else, what other tips can help you get to your goal. Maybe make the journey a bit easier for you?

Well, here are a few that helped me on my journey.

1. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Make sure your goals are achievable

Are you really going to look like your favourite celebrity, or lose your hips, or get that six pack?

I’m not trying to take the wind out of your sales. It’s good to shoot for the stars, but it is also important to be realistic. If you’re not, you’re never going to get where you want to go.

If your hips are a lot larger than your upper body, i.e. you have a pear-shaped body, you’re still going to have that frame when you get to your ideal weight.

That is one reason I say it’s important to love yourself just how you are. Make peace with the things that won’t change, and focus your efforts on the things you can.

You’ll be happier in the long run.

2. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Be realistic

How many times have you tried to lose weight by being completely unrealistic? 

Give up chocolate, exercise every day, eat nothing but salad.

I know I’ve been there. And it did work. I lost quite a few pounds whilst I managed to keep it up. But that wasn’t long.

Be realistic with what you can achieve and what you can stick to.

Are you really not going to eat any chocolate ever again? I doubt it.

Are you really going to go for a swim every morning before work? Probably not.

Are you really going to eat nothing but salad? Hum, err, no.

If you prefer exercising in the morning then a swim before work would be great, but how about aiming for 3 times a week rather than every day?

If you love chocolate why don’t you aim for cutting down on the amount you eat? Maybe a small bar everyday instead of 2.

If you find a way to integrate your healthy habits into your life you’ll be more likely to stick to it and your weight loss will be permanent.

3. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Don’t do everything at once

Some people thrive on doing everything at once, but for most people it’s better to leave some things in reserve. Doing it gradually.

If you need to do more exercise, try just two sessions a week. Once that has become a habit try including another one.

If you need to eat healthier, start by focusing on your main meal. Make sure it includes fresh vegetables and lean protein. Once that is easy focus on your lunches. Maybe taking leftover dinners.

If you rely on too much caffeine or sugary drinks, start cutting back slowly.

I wanted to cut down on sugar in coffee so, I went from 2 sugars to 1 sugar, and then when I had gotten used to that taste I went to no sugars. Once I had gotten used to that I found that I didn’t actually want as much coffee.

4. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Find a buddy

Having support on your journey can be invaluable.

Someone who is going through the same things you are. Someone who can lift you up when you’re feeling down. Someone who can celebrate in your success. Someone you are accountable to.

Friends make any journey easier and more enjoyable, and your weight loss journey is no different. So, find someone who can support you, workout with you, have treats with you.

5. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Plan weekly

It’s all very well having an overall plan, 3 exercise sessions a week, taking lunch to work every day, but plan the specifics weekly.

Your life is busy and it’s likely to change week by week. How do you know you’re always going to make that 6.30 exercise class? Or, cook your lunches on a Sunday?

If you plan weekly you’ll be able to fit your training sessions and your meals around what else you are doing. That way you’ll be able to make sure you don’t have any conflicting appointments and you’ll be more likely to stick to your overall plan.

6. Tips for Successful Weight Loss: Find a healthier version of your favourite meal

I can say categorically that you are not going to want to give up everything you enjoy.

You might think you’re committed to it, but it won’t be long before you start pining for that burger, or take away curry.

And once that happens you’ll start to resent the healthy lifestyle you’re trying to live.

So, don’t give everything up. Find a healthy alternative to your favourite meal.

That burger you love can be made really easily with some mince. Or, that curry you have on a Friday, chicken, curry powder, can of tomatoes and an onion. It’s really that simple.

What about pudding I hear you ask? Some melted dark chocolate, a sliced banana and some cinnamon. You can even mix in some yogurt to make it creamier.

Healthy alternatives to your favourite meal, they are usually much tastier and will let you have something a bit more indulgent, like a glass of wine or a beer with your burger.

It’s hard to resent that.

Tips for successful weight loss – have I missed any?

There you have it, my top 6 tips for successful weight loss.

They are the ones that got me through. And I’ve managed to keep the weight off for years now.

Do you agree with these? What is your top tip?

© e-Slimmer 2021