Summer is just a few months away, and if you’re still struggling to lose those extra pounds, all hope is not lost. You can still safely drop some weight before the season officially kicks off. The key is to be smart, sensible, and ready to meet your goals. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Avoid crash diets. They may promise the world, but the truth is, many of these diets can be both unhealthy and ineffective. Instead, seek out a weight loss program that fits your lifestyle, and join today.
2. Be realistic about exercise. Becoming good at anything takes time and practice. Attempting to run 5 miles after months of limited exercise will only increase your chances of injury. Instead, start off slow, even if it means walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes a day, three times a week. If you’re looking to step up your fitness routine, talk to a trainer at a local gym for professional pointers. Maybe it’s time to try something completely new, such as yoga or tai chi.
3. Be efficient. You’ve seen them before: people who go to the gym to work out, but spend most of their time chatting. But if time is limited , then use it wisely at the gym . If you don’t belong to a gym and work out at home, dedicate yourself to doing the most that you can (at the appropriate heart rate) for a given amount of time.
4. Find your muse. Figure out what motivates you, and use it. Do you really want to fit into a new outfit for your family reunion in early June? Find a picture of that outfit and put it on your fridge. Some people are motivated by rewards such as manicures or a new outfit while others get pleasure out of compliments or recognition. Figure out what truly works for you, and use it to your advantage.
5. Stay determined. This might sound easier than it is. To truly succeed at long-term weight loss you have to be focused on making permanent lifestyle changes. Take some time to really think about what these changes mean for you and how you can truly incorporate them into your life.
6. Put together a toolbox. Put together a collection of coupons, recipes, weight- loss tips, magazines, fashion catalogs, websites, blogs, family photos, and even old photos of yourself. All of these pieces will help you stay motivated on your weight-loss journey.
7. Take care of yourself. This may be the most important tip of all. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Your body is the only one you’ve got, so treat it with the respect it deserves.
Barbara C. Bourassa is a professional freelance writer and editor living in North Andover, Massachusetts
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