Why does losing weight always feel like such hard work?
Actually, it doesn’t have to be as long as you go about it in the right way. So forget about fad diets and giving up everything you enjoy. It’s time to make some lifestyle changes that will help you really see the pounds fall off.
7 Simple Strategies to Keep the Pounds Off
- Cut Down on Portion Sizes
- Get the Right Things in Your Diet
- Join a Boot Camp
- Get Extra Support from a Personal Trainer
- Stock Up on Healthy Snacks
- Get into the Habit
- Make Time for Treats
It’s easy to underestimate the amount that you are actually eating, so try to cut down on your portions by using a smaller plate or bowl. If you have less on the plate to start with, this can help to reduce the number of calories you consume. At the same time, try to eat slowly, which will give your stomach time to tell your brain that it is full.
Forget about fad diets, and focus instead on eating a wholesome diet. Make sure you get a good mix of healthy food in your diet, including lots of fruit and vegetables, fibre (wholegrain bread, oats, brown rice), which helps you feel full for longer, and healthy fats like nuts.
Being active is one of the best ways to lose weight. But if the thought of spending hours in the gym does not appeal, try to find something you enjoy. Boot camps are ideal. They provide you with a fun way to get into shape and actually enjoy exercising. If you enjoy it, you’ll do it more often, leading to long-term results
Not all boot camps are military-style. Nowadays you will be able to find a local boot camp that suits you. For instance, in Edinburgh fitandhappy delivers an outdoor boot camp for women only that is fun, friendly, welcoming and supportive. So try one for yourself!
If you haven’t exercised for a while and a boot camp sounds a little scary you could start off with one of fitandhappy’s Low Impact Exercise Classes.
Take things further with some personal training sessions. There are lots of great reasons to get specialist personal support to help you get into shape and lose weight.
A personal trainer can create a programme that focuses on losing weight in a fun way to get you feeling fit and confident. Your coach can develop real strategies for long-lasting weight loss without any focus on weird diets.
When you get hungry, it’s easy to reach for a quick fix like a chocolate bar or biscuit. So start replacing unhealthy snacks with healthy ones. Find some healthy and tasty snacks like oatcakes, natural popcorn, dried fruit, hummus and nuts, and reach for them when you need to.
One of the most important things about losing weight is that nothing will work long-term if you give up. You need to change your lifestyle for good, which is one of the hardest things to do.
You might find it useful to try a Healthy Habits Made Easy course, which is especially helpful if you’ve tried to lose weight but found that it never lasted. This focuses on behavioural change to help you learn new habits and stick to them.
Don’t cut out treats entirely — it will only make you want them more. Give yourself time to enjoy them. Have the occasional bowl of ice cream or chocolate bar without feeling guilty. Just make sure you don’t opt for a family-sized chocolate bar – remember Step 1. ??
It Starts Today!
Losing weight can often seem like a lost cause, but it really can be done! You can change your lifestyle, learn new habits and enjoy lasting change. Most importantly, it can actually be fun! When it starts becoming fun losing weight, getting fitter and healthier, you know you’re making a change that will really last.
Published on Oct 5, 2020
