Hitting the gym and dieting may be two of the most frustrating experiences you could have. Lifting weights and sticking to a strict diet can be difficult, especially if you’re not used to it. It’s a common problem, and if you’re looking for ways to shed a few pounds, you’ve probably already tried some of the popular solutions. That’s because, generally speaking, the conventional methods work; however, as soon as you start to challenge them, they often fail. This frustration usually leads to giving up and returning to your old habits. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to find a way around this issue. Here are 9 ways to lose weight without losing your mind.
1. Eat Less
Eating less is perhaps the best solution to losing weight. Fewer calories in, more calories out. It’s an easy formula to follow, and it works like a charm. You’ll start noticing smaller clothes fitting you better and better, and the pounds will begin to disappear. You’ll eventually get to the point where you’ll be able to eat what you want without gaining weight. The key is to find out how much you should eat and know when to stop. There’s no need to deprive yourself of good food, but it’s important to understand why you’re overeating in the first place. Sometimes, when we’re feeling stressed or unhappy, we end up having more food than usual. This could be due to increased need for comfort or simply because we’re hankering for something sweet. Whatever the reason might be, overeating leads to weight gain, and that’s what we don’t want. In order to prevent it, we must learn to recognise the signs of hunger and stop eating when they appear. Try to eat less than what you need, and you’ll definitely start to lose weight. It’s a common problem that many people struggle with, so it’s definitely something you should try out.
2. Drink More
The importance of hydration cannot be stressed enough, especially if you’re attempting to lose weight. Dehydration leads to a host of problems, not least of which is fatigue. If you’re already prone to feeling tiredness, then dehydration may make it even more difficult for you to maintain your desired weight. The remedy is pretty simple; drink enough to stay hydrated and maintain healthy energy levels. You may want to try out different drinks to find which one is most effective for you. Some people prefer water, while others prefer something more fun to drink; such as orange juice or some kind of fruit-based drink. There are many different types of fluids out there, so find one that you enjoy drinking and stick with it. If you stay hydrated, you’ll find it much easier to maintain your weight, and you’ll have more energy when working out too.
3. Take Breaks
When you work out, your body needs plenty of time to recover. After all, you’re pushing it a little bit every day, and it’s not always easy to give it the occasional rest day. Regardless, taking regular breaks is essential if you want to achieve your weight loss goals. Find a way to schedule some down time, and you’ll be surprised at how much easier it will make it to fit into smaller clothes. Even if you only have a short break between workouts, it will make a significant difference to how you feel overall. The body needs time to restore and recuperate, and without it, you risk putting yourself in a bad spot. Some people prefer to take a day off work each week to focus solely on their health and fitness. While others prefer to take a longer break and focus on some other area of their life. Ultimately, it’s something you need to find out what works best for you. Whatever the reason for taking a break, make sure you do so. It will benefit you in the long run.
4. Watch What You Eat
As discussed, overeating can cause you to gain weight. The solution is pretty straightforward; you simply need to monitor what you eat. Make a note of everything you put in your mouth, and try as much to keep track of the calories. There are several apps available that can help with this, and you can find some tips and suggestions on how to use them on the internet. Cutting down on the foods that you know aren’t good for you is the key to shedding off the unwanted pounds. This may mean giving up some of your favourite foods, but it’s a small price to pay for a healthier you. If you want to lose weight, it may be difficult to do so without a significant change in your daily routine. Monitoring what you eat and trying to cut back on the calories may mean that certain foods aren’t available any longer, and that’s not always easy to accept.
5. Consume More Plant-Based Foods
Cutting back on the foods with lots of animal products in them may help you to lose weight. This is because animal products, such as meat and dairy, are high in calories. If you want to lose weight, it may be a good idea to cut back on these foods and consume more plant-based alternatives. The most effective and nutritious foods for you may be eggs, beans, lentils, and dark leafy greens. These are the foods that provide your body with the necessary nutrients to stay strong and healthy. If you want to shed some pounds, it may be a good idea to cut back on the foods with lots of animal products in them and try to replace them with more plants. It won’t be easy at first, but gradually, you’ll start seeing the benefits.
6. Set Realistic Goals
When you put out a goal to lose a certain amount of weight, it generally works out well. However, as soon as you start to see the results, it becomes clear that it’s not going to be as easy as you thought it would be. Setting a goal to lose 20 pounds in a month may seem like a reasonable goal. After all, if you stick to it, you’ll be able to shed a ton of weight in a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, the reality is that this is extremely unlikely to happen. The reason is quite simple; it takes a lot of effort to lose a ton of weight in such a short amount of time. It’s quite easy for the body to regain the weight once you stop exercising and sticking to a diet. In order to avoid this issue and ensure you lose the weight, try and set more realistic goals. If you are aiming for a specific dress code, such as a small handful of women in a bikini, make sure you set some challenges for yourself along the way. For example, if you are trying to get into a bikini, start by challenging yourself to lose three pounds in a week and then gradually work your way up. Setting a challenging goal will make it that bit more rewarding when you achieve it. Plus, setting a realistic goal is generally a lot less stressful than setting a completely unrealistic one.
7. Mix Up Your Workouts
If you’re constantly doing the same routine, then it may be time for an upgrade. Although your body needs time to adjust to the changes, you’ll see improvements in your physical fitness relatively quickly. Mixing up your workouts is a great way to keep your body guessing and thus maintain that healthy guess. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to find something that challenges you, but that you enjoy doing. If you follow the same workout routine every day, with no variation, then it becomes predictable and, therefore, easier for the body to defend itself against the workouts. When you mix up your workouts, you force your body to be in a different state of mind wherever you train. Mixing up your workouts also forces you to go a little harder, which can in turn cause you to shed more weight. The key is to find a way to enjoy the process of working out and changing your body, because as soon as you start feeling that it’s a chore, then it’s already too late. You’ll be back at the starting line, wishing you’d started earlier. Mixing up your workouts can also help you to discover new things about yourself. You may enjoy running now, but if yoga appeals to you more, then challenge yourself to do a yoga session every day. You may find that you enjoy it more than you thought you would, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll even boost your overall health too.
8. Don’t Be Fooled By Advertising
This one may sound like a no-brainer, yet people will still go on diets, hoping to lose weight, then put it back on again once the dieting starts to lose its effect. It’s quite easy for advertisers to play on your insecurities and temptations when it comes to food; promising you fabulous results for a skinny wife, a happy family, or a successful business if you will just buy their product. Be aware of this and remember that the foods advertised on TV usually have a lot of sugar in them, which is not good for you. If you want to lose weight, it’s best to avoid these foods if you can.