If you have set the goal of healthy weight loss, there are some things you should do daily to make sure you achieve good results and stay healthy too.
The problem with many of the popular diets out there today is that they don’t focus on healthy weight loss and are not sustainable for long periods of time. People who follow these diets often end up breaking and gaining all of the weight back that they initially lost.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who set a new year’s resolution to lose weight and get healthy, you’re probably familiar with the struggle to actually stick to a diet long-term. Finding a healthy, balanced diet plan that works best for you and your specific needs is the key to maintaining it long-term.
Here are a few healthy weight loss tips to help you stick to your diet this year and get the results you want!
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Any diet that promises you will lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time is most likely not going to be effective. Even if you do initially lose a lot of weight, chances are you will quickly gain it back if you ever go off of the diet.
Instead, set a realistic goal of a 1-2 pound weight loss each week. This is a lot more feasible, and you’ll be able to maintain this healthy weight loss, even if you eventually go off of the diet or switch to a new one.
2. Toss the Junk Food
When you have cookies, potato chips, and other unhealthy foods around the house, it can be extremely difficult to resist the urge to snack. The best way to avoid these temptations is by getting rid of them! It may seem extreme, but tossing out all of the processed junk food in your house can actually be a really cathartic experience.
Instead, replace the unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives, like nuts, trail mix, and baked veggie chips. Not having junk food around the house will give you no other option than to reach for healthier food, helping you make better food choices!
3. Drink Water
This might sound like a no-brainer, but drinking plenty of water throughout the day can have a big impact on what and how much you eat.
It’s recommended that adults drink between 11-15 cups of water each day, and while this may seem like a lot, drinking a lot of water can help you feel fuller so that you don’t overeat. Drinking a glass of water roughly thirty minutes before each meal can make a big difference in the way you eat, and people who practice this often have an easier time losing weight.
Drinking water also has tons of other benefits, from an improvement in the skin to higher energy levels.
4. Don’t Forget to Exercise
Healthy weight loss and workout routine go hand-in-hand, so don’t forget the latter when starting a new diet. While diet is the biggest factor when it comes to weight loss, maintaining a regular exercise schedule is important as well.
It is recommended that you get at least thirty minutes of exercise several times per week, but the type of exercise you do is entirely up to you!
If you live in a warmer area, take advantage of the nice weather and go for a long walk or bike ride! If it’s too cold where you live to exercise outside, there are tons of great workouts you can find online that can be done in your living room!
5. Make Smart Decisions When Eating Out
Restaurant foods are typically loaded with tons of butter, salt, and other things that can derail your diet, so be careful when going out to eat.
Many restaurants are now required to show the number of calories in each meal, so take note of this before ordering. Things like salads, sandwiches, and anything else that might come with sauces or dressings can easily be made healthier just by asking for the sauce on the side.
Don’t be afraid to ask your server what certain foods are cooked in, either. While they may not always allow you to choose a healthier cooking method, you’ll at least know what to expect when it comes time to order.
6. Don’t Forget to Treat Yourself Occasionally
One of the biggest reasons so many people end up inevitably breaking their diets is because they end up being too hard on themselves. This is why it is important to treat yourself on occasion.
If you want a cookie, have the cookie, just don’t go overboard and eat the whole box. If you’re celebrating a birthday, allow yourself to have a slice of cake, and don’t beat yourself up over it.
Letting yourself have these simple pleasures once in a while will keep you sane, and you’re more likely to successfully stick to your diet and achieve healthy weight loss results when you have that healthy balance.
