Lose Pounds and Stay That Way

It's hard to lose pounds after pregnancy or from being just being a little bit overweight. Losing pounds means being consistent about what you do and keeping focused on the end goal. It becomes a lot easier when you stop calling it a diet and start viewing at as a lifestyle. The new approach needed to losing pounds is one you need to adopt for your whole life, not just for the time being and if you learn about the health benefits involved, you are more likely to be motivated and sustained.

Steps

  1. Exercise. See your health professional and work out an appropriate exercise regime together. It must suit the condition that you are currently in and your body shape. It can be something that changes over time, as in you may not be able to lift weights now but this might become your goal for a few months' time. Walking briskly, swimming, mild gym work might all be good starters. Find something that is fun for you, so you don't dread exercising. Yoga tones your body, helps you lose weight, and increases your mental state, and some poses are very simple, others more complex.
  2. Eat good foods. By eating fruits, veggies, whole-grain breads and pasta, and taking in limited portions of fats and sugars, you will be resetting your everyday food consumption toward a more healthy regime. Again, this should be worked out in careful consultation with a health professional, such as a nutritionist. If you are on a budget, there are still opportunities to see a nutritionist for little or no cost. Inquire at your doctor's. In fact, your local doctor can also assist you in planning a healthy eating regime. Look online for healthy eating charts to also get a good idea yourself.
  3. Drink lots of water. Water is really healthy and much needed by the body. Choose it over sugared drinks and even diet drinks. Diet drinks carry their own problems even if they are low on calories. They do not retrain you to eat more healthily. Water also assists in making you feel full. If you don't like water by itself, add a slice of lemon, try a flavored water (watch out for extra calories!) or unsweetened herbal teas.
  4. Eat breakfast and lunch. Both meals are very important and will help to stop cravings for unhealthy foods. Have a large breakfast and a medium lunch. Make dinner the smallest meal of the day. Good lunch ideas include fruits, veggies, and a veggie wrap or a sandwich and a small treat.
  5. Change daily habits. Get out of the rut and rearrange things. Make the house look different, buy new clothes as you lose pounds and get out there and do things. Volunteer, walk to work or bike with the kids on the weekend. Do the things you have been neglecting and you will feel yourself more invigorated and wanting to change.
  6. Share the burden. Get a friend or spouse who wants to lose pounds to join you. It is a great source of motivation and you can help one another out when it gets crazy and praise one another when it's great!
  7. Reward yourself. Set small goals and reward yourself with things other than food when you reach them, like a day at a spa, a movie night, taking classes in an interesting subject (like sewing, oriental dance, pottery, or yoga), shopping, or a mani-pedi. Ask your partner to make up rewards for you, like a subscription to a magazine you love but usually wouldn't buy, a coupon for a night of romance or a half-hour massage. It can work wonders in motivation and you will look better and feel more attractive with every goal you reach.
  8. Make sure that you are up for the challenge. If you are not willing you will quit sooner or later. But as it says before, make sure that there is someone to help you and share your burden.



Tips

  • Look for exercise videos on YouTube. You will save money instead of buying DVDs. Make sure they are reputable, however. Look for videos added by fitness instructors, not Joe Brown from down the street.
  • Anorexia, Bulimia, and other eating disorders are extremely harmful to the body and the self. Don't be tempted. What seems like a quick fix can become a lifetime of suffering.
  • Cut down on TV - watch only the fitness programs!

Warnings

  • If you are too weak for anything, don't push yourself. Take a break, it's OK. See your health professional for more information and assistance.
  • Take care as to who you hang out with - a recent (2007) study has revealed that friends can influence each other to become overweight. See link below.

Things You'll Need

  • Exercise supplies, such as a ball, treadmill and weights
  • Running shoes that fit

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Sources and Citations

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