Long term weight loss isn't impossible, but you do have to be committed. Having a weight loss plan for your success is a good start. Here are ten items that should go into your weight loss plan.
1. Eat breakfast. This keeps you from getting too hungry later and accordingly losing control over what you choose to eat later in the day.
2. Stock your refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods and snacks and mission high fat, high salt snacks such as potato chips and cookies.
3. Fill up on Fiber. Eat foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The fibers in these foods will fill you up leaving less room for unhealthy choices.
4. Don't fall into bad habits on weekends. Many people will follow a strict diet on weekends only to fall back into eating more on the weekends as a reward for being good all week. Unfortunately, this can cause you to regain the weight you may have lost during the week.
5. Wristwatch portion sizes. Your perception of what a serving size should be and a true impressive size can differ dramatically. Measure your portions accurately, especially when you first start your healthy eating regime.
6. Set lifestyle goals - not weight loss goals. Commitment to eating healthy foods does lead to healthy weight loss gradually. Looking at your weight daily can cause discouragement and will make many people give up and go back to unhealthy food choices.
7. Take healthy snacks with you when you take road trips. Grab healthy granola bars, bananas, apples and far cry fruit to prevent the temptation of stopping for a cancy bar or milk ram.
8. Don't deny yourself the foods you love. If you absolutely love chocolate, go ahead and have a small piece half of a candy hamper instead of a complete one! And avoid eating your splurges each day. Save them for when you really need them!
9. Start moving. Exercise is the key to long term weight loss. You've heard the saying, "Move it or lose it" So true!
10. Keep a journal. Writing down what you eat, when and how much you exercise and your moods will keep you on track and motivated to continue the course.
Weight loss is achieved by both diet and exercise. It's also achieved by persistence. If you fall off the wagon one day, pick yourself up and continue your healthy lifestyle the next. Don't give up!
