Many people believe that if you want to lose weight, you need to do something called running. Although this is partially true, it isn’t the whole truth. To lose weight, you need to make some changes to your lifestyle and then you need to work hard at it. Running will help you get started but you also need to make other changes to ensure that you lose the weight and keep it off.
Get Moving
If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to get moving. Once you’re in decent enough shape to run, you can start introducing running into your workout routine. Start with easy runs around the neighborhood and work your way up to longer distances. If you’re looking for an excuse to hit the road, try joining a running club. The people in your club will help push you to new levels and they’ll keep you motivated to keep going.
As you get stronger, you can start introducing weight lifting into your regimen. A personal trainer can help you determine the right amount of weight to lift and how often you should do it. If you’re looking for an all-around workout, try taking a class at the gym. Yoga, aerobics, and other activities can help you get moving and stay that way.
Eat Right
The best way to lose weight is by eating healthy foods and avoiding the foods that are high in calories. You can use an online calorie counter to track your daily intake and then make a note of what you need to change. Cut back on the white-flour products and sugar-filled drinks and replace them with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. There’s a wide variety of calorie-counter apps on the market so that you can track your intake wherever you go.
Reduce Stress
For many of us, life can be stressful. Whether you’re working hard to make enough money to pay your bills or you’re just plain unhappy with your lot in life, stress can cause weight gain. If you’re constantly stressed, even if it’s not overt, your body could be telling you that you’re carrying around too much weight. Try taking a yoga class, joining a gym, or taking up meditation to relax and reduce stress.
Stay Hydrated
To be able to run, you need to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to health problems and poor performance so it’s best to avoid it. If you’re not drinking enough water, your body will start conserving water which could lead to weight gain. Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and drink at least eight glasses a day. If you find that sticking to six glasses is more effective for you, drink a glass before you start your day and another glass after you workout. This can help keep your body hydrated and in good condition so that you can start losing weight immediately.
Get Inspired
If you want to lose weight, you need to find a way to stay motivated. Reading inspirational stories or listening to motivational speeches can give you a little boost of inspiration to keep going. YouTube videos can be extremely helpful as well. If you’re looking for something more engaging, watch a movie or read a book. Doing anything that makes you feel more alive will give you the boost you need to continue.
Set Realistic Goals
If you want to lose weight, you need to set some realistic goals. Setting a goal to lose ten pounds in the next month might seem easy enough, but it’s actually very difficult. The key is to set smaller goals along the way. For instance, you could lose two pounds next week then another two pounds the week after that. Seeing these little milestones along the way will keep you motivated to continue. If you want to lose weight gradually, setting smaller goals will help you avoid discouragement.
If losing weight is a concern for you or someone you know, start by talking to your doctor about what changes you might need to make to your medication or how to deal with the side effects of medication. From there, you can move forward with establishing a healthy diet and exercise routine that will help you reach your weight loss goals. Remember to enjoy the process and congratulate yourself when you meet smaller goals along the way.