Losing weight can seem like an impossible task to accomplish. Just thinking of starting a diet or exercise routine can seem overwhelming. But with a little discipline and a healthy balanced diet, it is possible to achieve your weight loss goals. Finding a weight loss plan that you can stick to long-term is essential.
Occasionally it is perfectly ok to give in to a craving. Every now and then, reward your hard work by indulging in one of your favorite foods. But always remember to use portion control. Instead of reverting to your old habit of eating an entire bowl of ice cream or a huge slice of cake, just eat a small amount, savoring every bite.
To add variety to your diet and enhance your weight loss success, keep an open mind about foods. Just because you didn’t care for the taste of spinach when you were a child doesn’t mean you won’t find it appealing as an adult. Try sampling healthful vegetables and fruits you’ve never eaten before and you might just be surprised at what you’ve been missing.
Don’t be afraid to give yourself pep talks when needed. If you are scared of looking stupid, then you are only holding yourself back due to a silly fear that is just nonsense. Give yourself a pep talk, regardless of where you are, any time you feel that you are slipping down a bit.
In order to lose more weight faster, add green tea to your diet. Green tea is known to increase metabolism. Studies have shown green tea to boost metabolism 4% without affecting heart rate. It also has small amounts of caffeine. Green tea has become widely available and reasonably priced.
Losing weight is not easy to do alone. To assist you to lose weight, it is helpful to have an exercise buddy; someone who can keep your company and keep you on track. Not only is having a buddy great for accountability, but it can also make it easier to do activities that you would not want to try alone, like going to a challenging new class at the gym.
When dieting to lose weight, be sure to make breakfast part of your daily routine. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast are thinner and healthier than people who do not eat breakfast. Eating breakfast will also help keep you from getting hungry and overeating later in the day.
If you overeat one day let yourself know that there is nothing wrong with that and it is not the end of the world. All you have to do is make sure to do a little more physical activity the next day to get off all of the calories that you consumed.
Do not be discouraged when you gain weight in any one week during your diet. One reason could be that your gained more muscle mass than fat that you had lost! And that’s no bad thing at all, as more muscle means more calories will be burned. This is especially common in people that were very inactive or that added a great deal of exercise to their normal routine. There are other causes possible as well.
Grab a smaller plate. Even the healthiest foods can be bad for you if you eat too much of them. Using a smaller plate or bowl can help your brain tell you that your stomach is full faster because your eyes are used to seeing larger plates. Take advantage of this to avoid over-eating.
A journal can be a very effective tool in your weight loss plan. Keeping a journal helps to make you accountable. It also lets you know what’s working (and what isn’t) during the journey toward your weight loss goal. Write every bit of food you consume in your journal, and every minute of exercise as well.
As was stated before, losing weight can seem like an impossible task to accomplish. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but instead of feeling overwhelmed feel empowered. Find a weight loss plan that works for you, and make it a part of your life. As long as you stay dedicated, it is completely possible to achieve your weight loss goals.