Maureen IvusicBy Gillian B
Weight is something that many people struggle with at some point during their lives. Some find a program to follow that works for several months, then they fall off the wagon and end up gaining all the weight back, and even adding on a few more pounds.
Why does it often seem so impossible to keep the weight off? Perhaps you are missing one of these essential lifestyle shifts that will set you up for success on your journey to a healthier life!
1. Change Your Beliefs: Itâs a Lifestyle, Not a Temporary Diet
Contrary to popular belief, permanent weight loss is not something that a âquick fixâ diet can achieve. Instead, think about weight loss as a permanent lifestyle change â a commitment to your health for life, not just for a few days or weeks. While there are many diet plans out there to help kick start your transformation, ultimately you need to commit to your health for life!
This is also a good time to examine any subconscious beliefs that may be holding you back from achieving your best health!
2. Cut the Crap: Eliminate Processed Foods Completely
If you want to drastically change your health in the quickest way possible, I suggest avoiding processed and packaged foods. There are always unwanted ingredients in them that are adding to your waistline!
Highly processed foods are usually high in sugar and high fructose corn syrup, which can have a devastating effect on your metabolism. Manufacturers of processed food make sure that their products are sweet, salty and fatty, so our bodies end up craving more. These foods are also full of unhealthy chemical additives â You never know what exactly you’re eating!
3. Eat A Whole Foods Diet: Simpler is Better
Once you cut out processed foods, you will probably be wondering what to eat! My advice is to eat as many whole fruits and vegetables as possible. Combined with the highest quality plant and/or animal products, and mindful eating practices, you will be on your way to the best version of yourself!
4. Visualize Your Success: Set and Review Goals Regularly
Having a goal, like wanting to look good for bikini season, usually doesn’t work as well as wanting to feel more confident or wanting to lose weight because of health issues. Use positive visualization to dream up how you’ll feel when you are at your ideal weight. Use this visualization when you run into temptation or frustration.
5. Find Your Tribe: Support Each Other
Social support means a lot. There are many health programs out there that use support to impact weight loss and lifelong healthy eating. Find your support circle, whether it’s friends, coworkers or family members. Recruit others to challenge themselves alongside you, share your struggles and encourage each other!
6. Reflect Regularly
Keep a journal of your progress and include how certain foods or exercises make you feel. Emotional issues are often at the core of bad eating habits that made us pack on those extra pounds to begin with.
Losing weight can be quite the transformation, inside and out, so write about your story. You never know who it may inspire one day!
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