In the early stage of your diet plan, perhaps you are full of energy and enthusiasm about it. You are that committed to better eating habits, diet, and a regular program of exercise. You are ready for a change.
In this new stage, you must take the time for setting an organized program that will give you the results you aim. While weight loss supplements can be of help, merely relying on it is not enough; there are five things you must do when you are starting a diet. Use the below list and take as much time as you need to complete each task. The success of your program may largely depend on it.
Step 1: Consult your doctor.
Your physician can provide essential information that will help you lose weight more effectively than just researching things and doing procedures by yourself. Your doctor can be your partner when working to lose extra pounds. You may find it a need to begin the conversation because he may not spend a lot of time on the subject unless it is you who will bring it up.
Ask for an appointment with your doctor and ask important weight loss questions while you are there. Consider taking notes and adding the information you get to your diet journal. This also serves as your chance to ask for weight loss tips and advice. You can get a referral to a diabetes educator, registered dietitian, or a physical therapist. Such professionals can work together with you to achieve your weight loss goals.
Step 2: Set your goals.
Of course, your goal is to lose some excessive weight. Be that as it may, it is also vital to set more specific long and short-term goals for your diet program to follow and build the confidence you need to make it through the tough times.
Your goals can help you achieve healthy living. Learn to develop some lifestyle habits that will help you keep your weight in a healthy field now and in the future. A study shows that a short-term diet that you go on and then go off is not the answer to managing long-term weight loss. Healthy weight loss requires having a lifestyle that will include long-term changes in eating and exercise habits.
Take time, preferably 20-30 minutes to think about your long-term goals for improved health. After setting your long-term goals, break them down into smaller weekly goals that will act as stepping stones to keep you on track of your diet.
Step 3: Set up a diet journal.
Weight loss coaches will usually advise you to keep a food diary while you are dieting and that will serve as a good habit. But also note that it is essential as well to know your food habits before you start your diet. Doing this can help you keep a log of how much calories you eat daily, and this number will provide a starting point for your entire weight loss program. Keep your weight loss journal throughout the dieting process. An organized weight loss journal helps lots of dieters stay on their weight loss goals.
Decide where to keep your journal. It can be on a handy notebook, on your phone, or on your netbook. Just keep in mind to choose one that is portable. Write everything down (preferably immediately) after eating. Else, you will forget about it. Your primary goal here is to keep your journal updated for easy tracking of your weight loss program.
Step 4: Determine how much to eat.
There are five different procedures you can use to determine how much calories you should be eating to lose weight. After completing step #3, you will learn to make a calorie deficit for losing your weight. It is up to you if you seek to lose one pound every week or to lose a couple per week. The number of calories to cut shall depend on the weight loss goals you have set in step #2.
Step 5: Manage your energy balance.
There are three different ways to lose weight. You may choose to burn calories through exercise, lower calorie intakes, or you can do these both for faster weight loss results. Look which method works best for you considering your eating style and lifestyle. Then figure out your energy balance and prepare yourself to be slim down.
You have to increase your proportion of vegetables, salads, fruits, beans, and whole grains to cover two-thirds of the plate. Then fill the remaining third with fibrous meats and poultry, fish like salmon or tuna. Ensure that portions are under control; use some food scales and measuring cups to be reminded of what a healthy portion should be like. Set your exercise first thing in the morning so you would not miss doing it. For better workout results, you should also alternate your exercise activities and power them up. After a couple of months, you may choose to add up weights on your barbells or increase the speed on your treadmill.
Wrapping Up
Moving through your weight loss plan, you should remember that you can come back to any of these steps to make a few changes. You can adjust and modify your short-term goals according to your long-term weight loss goals. Also, check in with your physician from time to time to be guided appropriately.
As a wrap, the whole process of your weight loss will require a lot of discipline and patience. Without these attitudes, it would be too complicated for you to achieve your goals. Sure you got reasons why you end up willing to start your diet. Always be reminded of how you do these things in the first place. Rekindle and fire up if you must. Shedding pounds could be tricky, but with the right mindset paired up with appropriate procedures, you are bound to see desirable results coming your way. By abiding, with consistency, the steps mentioned above as you get started with your diet, you are likely to lose weight as planned.