Losing weight is an age-old struggle and can cause a lot of stress. It isn’tisn’t easy, and this article is not making that claim. Dieting and losing weight does take some work and self-discipline, but it doesn’t have to cause you to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown – you can have stress-free weight loss by following some simple tips.
Many diets, exercise programs, and other weight loss methods are on the market these days. Enormous amounts of cash are spent on diets yearly, with the final effect being thinner wallets rather than smaller waistlines.
Dieting should be simple. It shouldn’tshouldn’t cause grey hairs or premature wrinkles. Weight loss shouldn’tshouldn’t dominate your life. In short, your attempt to get healthy shouldn’tshouldn’t cause additional stress.
Read below to find simple strategies for weight loss and stress-free ways to achieve your weight loss goals.
1. Gradual Weight Loss
The foundation of stress-free weight loss. Don’tDon’t buy into the idea of the weight-loss reality shows exhibit. In a 60-minute program, an overweight person drops over ten pounds by pounding down the road while some drill sergeant yells at them, This is not reality. Weight loss is supposed to happen gradually.
Don’tDon’t get down in the dumps if you don’tdon’t start dramatically losing weight. Find your own pace and limitations; go from there. It would help if you built a new eating pattern foundation. You do not accomplish anything by starving yourself to lose a couple of pounds for a week. You still need to change the eating habits that got you into difficulty in the first place.
Aim for a weekly weight loss of one to two pounds or 50-100 pounds in a year. This may seem like an ominous period, but think about how fast time will slip by.
2. Attention to Nutrition
Some people fall into the trap that if you exercise and stay active, you can eat whatever you want. Exercising is only half of the equation. You have to back up the exercise with healthy nutrition.
Eating a fast-food order of fries will set you back and negate any exercise you did that day. So make sure you pass on the high-calorie foods.
3. Hunger Pangs
We only sometimes have time to eat since life is hectic. Other times, our busy schedules cause us to forget about eating entirely. We get sharp hunger pangs and low blood sugar levels when we don’t eat anything substantial. At this point, we tend to gravitate towards sugary foods that will give us a quick boost.
When you are hungry, your wise food-making decisions go out the window. Next thing you know, you are neck-deep in French fries.
For stress-free weight loss, you must be aware of your hunger and don’tdon’t let yourself reach the famished stage. Pick snack foods that are good for your body and satisfy you over an extended period.
Create an eating schedule that will keep the severe hunger pangs at bay. Insatiable hunger will get the best of you if you let it get to that point. If you get to that stage, have some food on hand. Fruits, crackers, yogurt, oatmeal, nuts, and other low-calorie foods are good to keep close by. Have a little stash available at your desk at work, in your purse or briefcase, or in your glove compartment.
4. Be Satisfied with Less
When you are eating, oversee yourself. Don’tDon’t gobble up anything that comes your way. If you are not mindful of portions, you risk eating until you are overstuffed.
Slowly eat. Take a few breaths and rest your fork or spoon between bites. Be sure to drink lots of water while eating, which will help you fill the void.
For stress-free weight loss, you have to give yourself some time and allow your stomach to get used to eating less. After you have finished eating your reduced portion and are tempted to go for seconds, stop and think. Take a break for a few moments, have a chit-chat, read the paper, go on Facebook, or whatever it takes to distract you from going for seconds.
5. Water, Water, and More Water
Water should be your friend throughout the day. Water will help you stave off hunger pangs by taking the place of food in your stomach. Always keep a bottle of water by your side.
6. Healthy Options
Getting rid of all junk food is one of the most critical keys to stress-free weight loss. If junk food is hidden, it will be forgotten. Clear your fridge and cupboards. Replace all unhealthy foods with nutritious options. When hunger strikes, you will not be tempted to down a bag of chips or drown yourself in soft drinks.
7. Intentional Treats
If you put yourself into a complete dieting lockdown, you will eventually explode and quit your diet. Once a week, treat yourself to indulgences in your favorite foods or beverages. Don’tDon’t use this opportunity to gorge yourself on your favorite forbidden foods, but instead use moderation – maybe a three-bite rule would be a good guideline.
8. Keep Track
Logging what you eat may sound dreadful, but it is key to keeping your caloric intake in check. Once you get into the habit of logging what you eat, you will find it manageable. Our memories are short-term when we think about eating. Have you ever heard someone claim they haven’t eaten all day? They may feel like they haven’t eaten, but when they examine their day, they will be surprised at all their consumed food.
Your food intake does add up. When you add the calories from what you drink and eat, you will be surprised at how fast you approach your caloric limit.
9. Accountability
Get an accountability buddy to keep you on the straight and narrow. One way to support each other accountable is by checking over each other’s food logs, encouraging each other to use the right strategies, and thinking long-term. Diets can be very stressful, but a good friend will help you have stress-free weight loss.
10. Stay on Track
If you fall off the wagon, donate and beat yourself up over it. Tomorrow is a new day and a chance for a fresh start. Don’tDon’t abandon your healthy eating plan.
You can only lose stress-free weight if you don’t let your diet rule your life. Exercise, eat healthily, and focus on the long term. Identify the dieting tactics that stress you out the most. Find ways to reduce the stress or modify the weight loss method. Weight loss doesn’tdoesn’t have to be stressful; don’tdon’t let it be!
