Lifestyle changes that you can stick to spell weight-loss success. From having the right recipes on hand to staying motivated when the going gets tough, Read for long-term results? Stick to these healthy habits for weight loss.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Make a habit of visualizing yourself at your ultimate goal weight. Having this picture of yourself at your goal can make all the difference when you encounter a temptation, such as a food pusher offering you a favorite dessert.
Buddy Up
Consider joining a weight-loss program or support group, or find weight-loss buddies among your friends who you can meet with on a regular basis to discuss struggles. Research has shown people in a group environment often lose more weight. Identify like-minded friends who will be a good influence on you. You may find it is helpful to have certain friends as "listening" friends to talk to and "active" friends who will actually do something with you related to weight loss such as taking a light cooking class or walking together.
Keep Smart Recipes at Your Fingertipes
Make a go-to recipe book. You can use a binder or a recipe box, but whatever method you choose, the important part is having a small selection (about a dozen or so) of recipes that are healthy, easy and, of course, among your favorites. Each week before your shopping trip, stick a few of the recipes in your bag so you will make extra sure to have the ingredients in you cart.
Do the Numbers
Make calorie counting easier by writing the calorie content of a serving of the food on a label in big, bright letters where you will notice it right away. I often do this because I buy large packages and food and then break them down into single-serving containers or bags and then store or freeze. Buying freezer-safe labels has really helped me stick to doing this.
Find the Right Exercise
Keep trying new exercises until you find something you really like. Believe it or not, even if you hate exercising, it is very likely that you will identify something that you will actually look forward to. Once you try something once or twice, go with your gut: If it's really not for you, move on. There's no need to make exercise a drudgery when the right match for you is out there.
Use Your Spare Calories Smartly
Be a picky eater. Even foods that aren’t diet-friendly don’t always taste good. If a treat doesn’t thrill your taste buds, at first bite, don’t force yourself to finish it, just because it’s there. Why waste those extra calories on something you're not really enjoying?
Ease into Recipe Trials
If you're new to cooking, spend some time looking for basic recipes online, in books and in magazines before you actually start pulling out those pots and pans. Borrow materials out from the library instead of buying a lot of stuff at first before you have given them a whirl. (Hint: Spot shorter ingredient lists to make it easier on your first efforts.)
