If you are looking to start on your weight loss journey, then you’ve come to the right place. The tips below will help jump start you onto a road of shedding pounds and dropping inches. The weight loss process does not happen overnight. You need to start incorporating these ideas into your life and you will start to lose pounds.
To lose weight, don’t just focus on cardio, but also incorporate strength training into your routine. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat; having more muscle means you will be burning more calories throughout the day. Plus, you will see added benefits in a toned physique and fewer injuries.
When attempting to lose weight, it’s generally a good idea to get a physical. When you get a physical, your doctor will let you know if there are any medical conditions you need to be aware of, or if they’ll restrict you. It’s also important to get your thyroid checked.
For losing weight, nothing is better than eating high amounts of fiber. Fiber is found in whole grain foods, nuts and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fiber takes longer for the body to break it down, so you feel full for much longer and won’t start craving snacks and unhealthy foods.
Having protein with every meal will help you lose weight and feel fuller longer. Protein is a kick start for the metabolism which is key for losing weight and maintaining healthy body weights. Protein helps you feel satiated which will keep you from snacking and help you make better choices.
One helpful tip for weight loss and a healthy diet is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Typically, the sides of the grocery store have unprocessed produce and other basics, such as dairy products and meat. One exception might be, if you are shopping for bread, which often is located in the center of the store.
Do not avoid any kind of extra exercise that you can get throughout the day. Little things such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator or not fighting for that close parking spot the store can burn extra calories! Every step that you take throughout the day counts towards calories and those extra pounds.
Think positively when embarking on a weight loss plan. Don’t view foods as ‘bad’, rather, think about them as something that doesn’t fit into your lifestyle anymore. If you have the mindset that certain foods are forbidden, the temptation will be too hard to resist. Instead, focus on all the great new foods that you will be trying out. This will give you a sense of empowerment that will really help you when trying to lose weight.
Having a reward system in place will help with your weight loss journey. Set up small gifts for every 5 pounds you lose. Make sure the rewards are not in any way food related, but something small that will make you proud of the hard work that you have done.
If you are dining at a Mexican restaurant, tell the waitress to hold the salsa and chips. Chips are something that you should not be munching on and can cause excessive weight gain over the course of the week. When going out to restaurants, only eat the meal that you are served.
When ordering your next burger in a restaurant, skip the extras. Bacon, cheese, fried onions, and mayonnaise can be a caloric nightmare. They are sure fire ways to add fat to your burger as well. Add the healthy vegetables and request a whole wheat bun to optimize the diet friendliness of your meal.
Weight loss pills can be effective but should only be taken cautiously. Many pills contain only natural ingredients, while others have stimulants. Make sure that you read the labels to see what is best for you. You will always want to contact your doctor before starting any new medications.
Weight loss may seem like an impossible goal, and if you only focus on the actual loss, it will be quite difficult. Make sure to factor in all of your other goals while you are losing weight. This allows you to have more small victories and stay more motivated.
Get on your scale weekly to get an accurate gauge of where you are in your weight loss journey. Daily weight check-ins can be discouraging and don’t always paint a completely accurate picture of your weight loss. Weekly trips to the scale will give you a much better look at your results after a full work of healthy eating and exercise.
Even if it makes you uncomfortable, you should take a photo of yourself in your swimsuit or underwear in order to document your progress. Viewing before and after photos can really let you see the progress you have made, and this will help motivate you to continue.
Losing weight is difficult, but an easy way you can cut out unwanted weight and harmful chemicals, toxins and processed food items is to stay far far away from fast food. Instead, keep healthy snacks in your car or briefcase that you can snack on until you can reach a place that serves healthy food or back to your home.
If you find yourself short on time and don’t think that you will be able to get a workout in for the day, think again. All you need is a bit of motivation and 20 minutes to get your heart rate up. Take a brisk walk around the block while walking your dog, or pull out a jump rope. Any time you have in between obligations is perfect for a quick and effective workout.
All that is left to do now is get started. The tips above will provide you with a strong basis on which to start on your way to losing weight. It is not an overnight process, so don’t get discouraged if you aren’t seeing results as quickly as you would like. Just make sure to get up and do something everyday and keep at it and you will start shedding the pounds.
