Another year, another “I’m going to lose weight” resolution. Returning the gift of holiday weight gain can be a true challenge for most of us. This is why it’s important to try to avoid getting a holiday weight package in the first place! There’s no benefit to approaching the New Year with a lot of extra weight that you have to lug around all year.
However, if you have gained a little weight, it’s a good idea to know and understand the measures that you can take to eliminate those extra pounds before they become a problem.
You can learn all about returning the gift of holiday weight gain in the tips below with these easy strategies that help you lose weight:
Break Down Your Weight Loss Goals
Losing weight doesn’t have to be complicated! It can be fun and easy if you do it the right way.
The main reason why people don’t lose weight, even when they plan to, is because it feels overwhelming. If you can make it less overwhelming, you’re more likely to see success.
If you look at your weight loss in small steps, it becomes much more manageable and feels like something you can do. Mindset is everything when it comes to losing weight, so don’t assume that you aren’t capable. You can do anything you put your mind to, including losing those extra pounds.
Weight loss goals that are too large – like trying to lose 50 pounds – may stop you in your tracks. They seem impossible, so you give up before you even start. You might not feel like you can lose 50 pounds, but can you lose one pound? What about two or five? Those sound like better numbers, and they aren’t so frightening.
If you lose only one pound per week, you can achieve your 50-pound weight loss goal in less than a year. At two pounds per week, that timeline would come down to only six months. That’s a realistic time frame and a reasonable goal.
How to Lose Those Pounds
Another thing that stops people from losing weight is that they don’t know how. You can learn how to lose weight properly, though, and it’ll help you feel oh-so-much better about yourself! More confidence is an attractive quality, no matter what weight you are, so the sooner you feel better about yourself, the sooner it’ll start showing to the world.
Diet and exercise are still the keys to weight loss, but you shouldn’t look at them as short-term, painful things that you must suffer through until you reach your goal. That’s not the way to lose weight and keep it off, so avoid that mindset.
Instead, make small changes that you can implement easily into your daily routines. Those changes will make a big difference over time.
Here are some easy strategies you can use to lose weight and start a new, healthier lifestyle:
- Cut out just one snack or ‘bad’ food. You don’t have to change your entire way of eating overnight. You can do it by changing one food, snack, or meal at a time.
- Find a fun way to get some light exercise. You might not feel comfortable at the gym, but you can walk in place while you watch TV, pedal a stationary bicycle, or stroll around the block with a friend or family member.
- Get help. There are plenty of support groups for people who want to lose weight. Some of them can be found online, just a click away. If that’s not for you, get a friend or family member to encourage and help you with your goals.
- Encourage and reward yourself. As you lose weight, remember that your new eating patterns and exercise choices will become a way of life for you. This is a long-term solution that will be worth it as your waistline decreases and your health improves. Give yourself a treat as you reach each small goal, and plan for what you’ll do as the new, thinner you.
Reaching your weight loss goals can seem daunting, but you can accomplish them without feeling deprived, stressed, or unhappy. There’s no better time than the present to get started.
