Three tips for beginners to get fit and lose weight
Weight loss can seem difficult, if not impossible. It’s not easy to change your habits overnight and become a completely different person. You know, someone who actually enjoys kale smoothies (yuck) and works out 6 days a week. The good news is, you don’t have to become that person, but you do have to make some changes. Read below for 3 weight loss tips for beginners who want to lose weight and need a place to start.
Make a Plan
You won’t be successful in your weight loss unless you plan to be successful. What we mean is, you must be consistent. Plan out what you are going to do that is going to help you lose weight. Make space in your schedule for your weekly workouts. Plan them ahead of time so that you have no excuse to skip them when the time comes. Your health and fitness should be your main priority, so if you think you have no time to work out, make time. The same goes for your diet. Plan your meals ahead of time so that you won’t have as much of an excuse to grab the first unhealthy thing you find when you get hungry. Buy and prep ingredients for healthy meals beforehand to make it easier for you to stick to your meal plan. Set yourself up for success by planning for success.
Eat Mindfully
Losing weight doesn’t require you to count every calorie or macronutrient. It doesn’t have to be that hard, really. But losing weight does require you to change your diet behaviors and likely many of your food choices. Many of us don’t think twice about what we’re eating throughout the day, let alone how much. We’re busy and come mealtime we absentmindedly shovel food in our mouths paying little attention to how we’re feeling. The first step to changing our diet behaviors is to become more aware of them. For example, are you really hungry for that second helping or are you just going for it out of habit? Do you really feel hungry enough to eat those 12 Hershey Kisses, or are you just bored? Your mouth might be watering for that fried chicken in the food court, but wouldn’t a fresh veggie and protein bowl be more satisfying? Challenge yourself to think before you eat. Your body won’t change until your decisions change.
Get Moving
Exercise burns calories, strengthens your immune system, and will help you live longer. Exercise should be a part of everybody’s routine, whether they are trying to lose weight or not. You should have a workout plan in place if you are serious about losing weight and getting fit. Regular gym sessions at least three days a week should be your aim, but you should also increase your movement throughout the day. Walk the dog more often, do more chores around the house, walk to the store instead of driving. Any extra amount of movement you do will translate to extra calories burned. When you’re trying to lose weight, burning as many calories as possible should be your goal.