5 Effective Ways To Stay On Track With Weight Loss

Many people would love to lose 5 pounds, but there are those who need to lose, as much as 30, 50, or even 100 pounds.

The weight loss journey is not short nor is it easy and often includes ups, downs, plateaus, and setbacks.

So how can it be accomplished?

You’ve seen the stories of heroic triumphs plastered across the Internet, social media, talk shows, and infomercials, the ones with amazing headlines such as, “Amazing Mom With 5 Kids Finds Time to Hit the Gym” or “Spectacular 100 Pound Weight-loss With Common Sense Tactics.”

These are not miracles, these people did not find a magic pill, they used sensible tactics to reach their goals.

The following are 5 effective ways to stay on track and achieve your weight loss goals:

1.) Treat Yourself as a Human

It is okay to fall off the wagon. No one can stay focussed and motivated forever.

You may encounter a stressful situation you are having trouble managing.

You may binge while you are all by yourself or in front of everybody at a celebration.

The key is to forgive yourself.

The important thing is to know it may happen and when it does just get back up and keep on working to achieve your weight loss goals.

A cheat day or wavering in your willpower means you are human. Be prepared and expect it, the key is to move on and get back on track immediately.

 

 

2.) Set Manageable Goals

Achieving a 50 or 100 pound weight loss is not by any means unattainable, but reaching goals renews your motivation.

If you want to keep your weight loss on track, break it down into bite-sized nuggets.

Plan to lose about 5 to 10 pounds a month (or about a one to two pounds of weight loss each week is considered healthy and sustainable weight loss).

Anything more than that, is a celebration. Anything less is still a victory.

The important part is you are setting manageable goals with healthy ideas about what your body is most likely capable of achieving.

3.) Find A Buddy

Weight loss in particular is easier when you decide not to go it alone.

A workout buddy can be a big help.

You can diet at home with your spouse, use a weight loss app, join a weight loss program, hire a nutritionist or a fitness trainer.

The bigger your support group the more energy you have to keep you motivated to achieve your weight loss goals.

 

 

4.) Break the Plateaus

Wow, you are doing the work and it is really paying off you have lost 10, 15, even 25 pounds.

You keep things going, but you can’t seem to lose anymore weight. It all stops working, the diet, the cardio, the strength training seems to stop being of any value.

Your journey has plateaued and you find yourself a little bit hopeless all over again.

The key is to power through a plateau by getting out of your rut. Often in weight loss, we find ourselves in set routines  when working out and eating for weight loss..

Changing your routine by taking an extra or different workout class, adding strength session to your week or adjust your protein ratio.

Shocking your system is one of the most effective ways to work through a plateau.

5.) Make Your Biggest Changes Small Ones

The best ways to make your weight loss stick involves small sustainable changes you don’t really notice.

Flavored waters instead of soda during the day and with meals, smaller plates when you eat, skipping dessert, or eating a little fruit instead of cake are all small sustainable changes to keep your weight loss on track.

Most important, these profound habit changes ensure long-term weight loss success.

The best changes, the ones that make the most difference are the ones you can stick to for longer than the 6-12 weeks of your weight loss plan.

Start your weight loss plan with a goal to lose one pound a week.

Focus on burning 250 calories and decreasing your caloric intake 250 calories per day and you should begin to lose one pound a week.

Stick with it…