The number one New Year's resolution is weight loss. Most people give up on this just a few days or weeks into the new year. I'm no stranger to giving up on this, so I completely understand. But there are a few key strategies for losing weight and keeping it off, based on some research from a recent Cal Poly study.
If your goal is to lose weight, consistency is key. This should come as no surprise to you. If you want to see results, you need to work toward them daily. I'm sure that by now you've probably heard the saying, "Abs are made in the kitchen." There's truth to this. Healthy eating will get you to your weight loss goal sooner. And once you've reached your desired weight, you need to continue to make healthy choices to maintain that weight.
Another key to success is tracking what you eat. There are several free apps and websites that can help with this. I like MyFitnessPal and Chronometer. Admittedly, I don't count calories. But it's great to use these trackers to see if you're meeting minimum macronutrient calorie requirements. Minimum requirements vary by person, so I cannot tell you what's right for you without knowing more about you.
A third strategy for successful weight loss maintenance is positive self-talk. People are so mean to themselves. They look in the mirror and pick themselves apart. Stop doing this! Tell yourself you're beautiful and strong. Even if you slip up or miss a workout, don't beat yourself up about it. Just pick it back up the following day and move on. As you practice positive self-talk over time, it will become more natural to you.
Of course there are other strategies for weight loss and weight maintenance. I'm focusing on several positive ones that have been shown to work for nearly everyone. Whatever strategies you focus on, make sure they are healthy and sustainable. Weight loss and weight maintenance are important because obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and other metabolic disorders.
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