Most people know what it feels like to lose a couple of pounds. Maybe they had a birthday party and ate a bit too much. Or maybe they got sick of the unhealthy snacks and sweets that companies always seem to force customers to eat. Whatever the reason, a few pounds seems to go perfectly with a swimsuit or a pair of jeans. But what happens after you lose a few pounds? Do you keep it off? Or have you hit a plateau? If you’re curious, keep reading…
More Than Meets The Eye
You might be tempted to think that a few pounds are a lot, but if you keep losing weight, it won’t seem like much. A pound is officially defined as the amount of weight a cup of water will weigh. That means a pound of potatoes will weigh the same as a pound of beef. So, if you’ve lost a pound in a month, you’re actually on the right track. But, if you want to continue losing weight, you need to pack on the pounds. And this is where most people stop losing weight, because it becomes a lot more than a couple of pounds. As a matter of fact, most people who lose more than a few pounds end up gaining it back, plus more. It’s commonly known as “yo-yo dieting” and it’s incredibly common. Over 80% of those who try to lose weight eventually give up and start over again. So if this sounds like you, it’s time to pick up where you left off before and get back on the right track.
The Importance Of Building A Routine
Even if you’ve been losing weight for weeks, months, or years, there’s still a good chance you’ll hit a plateau. This is when your body’s ‘fat-fighting’ ability starts to decrease, making it harder for you to lose weight. To avoid hitting a plateau, people who want to lose weight must understand that maintaining a decent weight is more than just following a diet and getting some exercise. It takes weeks, if not months, of careful planning to develop a weight-loss routine that will be effective and sustainable.
When you start losing weight, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you should be able to eat what you want when you want it. But, if you want to continue losing weight, you need to understand that having weight-loss ‘free days’ is not a good idea. Even if you do nothing else but eat healthy and exercise, you’ll hit a plateau eventually. If you want to lose weight, you need to find ways to continue beating it.
Eating Healthy
When you’re trying to lose weight, there are certain foods that are better for you than others. You should be avoiding fried foods, white bread, pastries, and refined sugar. Instead, focus on eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. These foods will raise your body’s metabolism, allowing it to keep burning calories for longer. They also provide your body with important nutrients that will help it stay healthy.
Some people think that if they eat a lot of junk food, it will raise their metabolism and make them lose weight. But this is not necessarily true. The point is that you should be eating healthy, not junk food. When you consume more unhealthy food than nutrients, you’ll gradually start storing more calories than you’re consuming, even if you eat quite a bit. This is why you need to be careful with what you eat, because you don’t want to cause yourself unnecessary extra weight gain. The key is to find a healthy balance between calories and nutrients without depriving yourself.
Taking Advantage Of The Sunshine
Depending on where you live, this may or may not be helpful, but you should definitely try to go outside as much as possible during the day. The reason behind this is that exposure to the sun increases the production of serotonin in your body. This is a chemical that your body uses to regulate emotion and mood. So, getting some sunlight can help improve your mood and make you less likely to crave sweet foods, which might otherwise lead you to eat more than you should. So, if you want to lose weight, take advantage of the sun and get outside as often as you can. This is especially important if you live in a place with a lot of sun exposure, such as Australia.
Stay Motivated
If you’ve been struggling for weeks, months, or even years to lose weight, it’s probably time to admit that you might need some help. Whether you’re facing a major life event, like getting married or having children, or you just feel like you’ve hit a wall, it’s important to keep your motivation up. The first step in this direction is to find the things that motivate you, such as a theme for the day or an upcoming holiday. Then, find small ways to celebrate each accomplishment. For example, if you hit a weight loss goal, find a small reward, like a bottle of champagne or a gift card for a restaurant, café, or grocer. If you’re facing a major life event that is driving you to lose weight, find ways to relax and take care of yourself during the process. This is easier said than done, of course, but by taking care of your mental health, you’ll be able to make much more progress than you would otherwise.
If you’re genuinely interested in losing weight and being healthier, the best way to go about it is by taking one step at a time. Plan out a diet and routine that works best for you. Then, find ways to stay motivated and celebrate your small wins. All of this might seem really daunting at first, but if you can stick to it, you’ll start to see the results, and that’s what’s important.