Health Upp weight loss journey – Have you joined a weight loss program lately but struggled to maintain the motivation you had on the first day? That’s quite common, and many people face this problem in the first few days after making that decision.
The fact is there’s more to losing weight than just sticking to a given program. For one, you need to have the inner motivation to actually do it. Preparation is also key to a successful weight loss journey, not to mention the role that hormones play in this whole process. For instance, there’s an approved weight loss medication that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormonal substance tasked with the regulation of food intake and appetite.
By staying on the right track, you can maintain your weight loss motivation and actually meet your goals. Here are easy ways to do it.
Start changing your lifestyle before the program
Many people struggle to maintain their weight loss journey because they can’t cope with the new habits. For instance, someone who’s used to eating junk food may find it hard to make sudden changes to their lifestyle, especially if they have friends with similar habits.
So what’s the solution? While there isn’t any one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to behavioral changes, you can make it easier by gradually adopting these new habits even before the actual program kicks off.
If you work from home or love sitting for most parts of the day, get off your seat and start walking around the neighborhood. And instead of adding one teaspoon of sugar to your tea, you can reduce that amount by half. These changes might seem small, but they can build a perfect foundation for what’s to come.
Consider finding a support group
Whether you’ve undergone surgery, taken weight loss medication, or opted for vigorous exercises, you’ll still need to make long-term lifestyle changes to maintain your shape. Sharing your ideas and fears with a support group can help you in your weight loss journey.
Like any other project, approaching this process as a group has a huge psychological impact. It gives you the motivation you need during these times. You get to hear other people’s perspectives on the issues you’re facing and how to solve such problems. During these sessions, you’ll also learn a thing or two about the obstacles you should expect in the future, which is important for preparing you mentally. (1)
Create and strictly follow your meal plans
Weight loss isn’t only about the exercises you do and the medications you take but also your daily meals. What you eat will dictate whether you’ll succeed in your plans to lose extra weight and maintain a fit body. Therefore, consider organizing your meals for the next three days or even a week. This way, you’ll not have to stress yourself every day trying to figure out what to eat every meal. Usually, people who don’t make such plans end up eating junk food, which is quite unhealthy.
It’s one thing to create a plan and quite another to follow whatever you’ve organized. Temptations may come along the way, but it’s up to you to remind yourself about the mission. For instance, you can come up with personal rules that will help you stick to your diet during the holidays or any other occasion that might affect your plans. Doing so will help you remind yourself about your goal.
Mix up your recipes
It’s imperative to change your diet from time to time. Don’t be afraid to try new recipes, but make sure they still give you the nutrients you need. This is an important factor for anyone looking to maintain their fitness during and after a given program. Why? It’s all about breaking the monotony. If you eat the same meal every day, you’ll start losing excitement, and you might find yourself craving for junk food. (2)
What you can do is browse through relevant sites online to see if you can find alternative recipes to whatever you’re already eating. Having a variety of food at your disposal will keep you motivated throughout your journey.
Monitor your sleep patterns
Sleep is an important aspect of any person’s life, and it’s even more significant when you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight limit. Therefore, it’s recommended to monitor your sleeping and wake-up times. Do you go to bed late? What’s keeping you up past 11 pm? If it’s your work, see how you can readjust your schedule to allow you enough time to sleep.
Sometimes it might be stress that’s keeping you awake and robbing you of your sleep. If this is the case, it’s time to find ways to reduce stress and keep your mind as peaceful as possible. Remember, such pressure may increase your cortisol levels, a stress hormone that could interfere with your weight loss program.
Enjoy the journey
Throughout your weight loss journey, don’t forget to just enjoy the ride. Losing weight isn’t an easy task. Once you commit to it, you can expect the whole program to run for months or even years. Surely, you need to set your weight loss goals and assess them on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. However, having these targets might not be enough to keep you motivated. (3)
Therefore, find something you enjoy in that program and try to incorporate it into your daily routine. Do you like walking or riding a bicycle? Why not do it a few times a week? Whichever way you decide to go, just find something that’ll help you enjoy and focus more on your journey. By so doing, you’ll end up losing even more weight within a shorter time than you anticipated.
Conclusion
Many people are struggling with overweight-related issues. So it makes sense if you’re trying to lose the extra fat in your body and adopt healthy habits. However, such significant changes to your lifestyle can be difficult to cope with. But with the tips above, you can make your journey easier and more enjoyable. Preparing your body before starting the actual program, creating meal plans, and monitoring your sleep patterns are among the few things you can do to make your weight loss journey a success.