Get rid of your excess weight once and for all

As the old saying goes, a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. And perhaps lately you’ve found that your comfort zone is actually more of a rut, that you just can’t get out of. Whether you’re a yo-yo dieter or the weight has crept on over the years, a change might be exactly what’s needed to allow you to live your healthiest and happiest life possible. Body issues and our reasons for weight gain can be incredibly complex, they could be deeply rooted in childhood or just be a result of lifestyle and circumstance. But whatever the reason, if you’re unhappy, there IS something you can do about it. Here’s how you can go about making a change for the better. 



Write a list of why you want to change


Chances are, the way you look has something to do with your decision. If you don’t like your reflection when you look in the mirror or obsess over how your body (or even certain body parts) look, it’s bad news for your self-esteem. However, there’s almost always more to it than just appearances. Are you worried about your health? Do you already have certain health conditions caused by your weight which you’d like to improve or even reverse? Do you want to live longer, be more confident and be able to do more? Often when people gain weight they can start to withdraw, social invitations get turned down more often until they feel isolated. Have a think about all of the reasons why you want to change and write them down. Be brutally honest with yourself, no one ever needs to see what you have written, but it’s so beneficial to have it there in front of you in black and white. For a long time, you might have even convinced yourself that you’re happy the way you are, or have gone into denial about your situation. Writing things down can help you to understand your own mind better, and allow you to realise maybe you weren’t as happy as you thought and that it really is time to make a change.



Decide on a plan


We’re often told that slow and steady wins the race, and that healthy weight loss is one to two pounds a week. You’re likely to be able to do this just by cleaning up your diet, being careful with portions and starting an exercise program. However, as good as this advice is, not everyone is able to stick with it. If you have a lot of weight to lose, such slow losses can be demotivating, and with no end in sight, many people find themselves giving up. While crash and fad diets aren’t the answer, there are a number of really useful plans out there that do work at getting the weight off. VLCD (very low-calorie diets) for example work by omitting all ‘normal’ food and allowing you to eat a set number of meal replacement sachets instead. These are formulated so that you get all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs but without the calories. Low carb diets can also be effective, and allow you to eat regular food while still getting great losses. Both of these kind of plans put you into ‘ketosis’ where your body uses up its own fat reserves for energy allowing you to drop weight quickly and safely. Of course, properly maintaining after the initial losses is crucial, if you return to old habit your old weight will return. If you’ve struggled with your weight for a while, you could look for a plan which offers group counselling sessions. The exact plan you decide on will depend on your preferences, but it’s worth knowing there are other options than simply eating less food and going it alone. 



Utilise extra help


Speaking to the doctor about your weight can be embarrassing, however, if you let them know you want to make a change they will be more than happy for you and helpful. Depending on your weight they might recommend a dietician, medication or even surgery. There are also medicines you can get over the counter which are safe and effective, Xenical weight loss tablets are one example. Of course, no weight loss medicine is going to be a ‘magic pill, ’ but it can certainly speed up your losses and really help you to make progress in shifting the weight. Speaking to a personal trainer is another way you could utilise the kind of help that’s available out there. It really doesn’t matter how unfit you are to start with, your trainer will tailor a workout plan that’s custom to you and help you work on your own personal goals. It can feel daunting when you’ve not worked out in a while but is something that will massively speed up your weight loss. Plus, exercise will reduce the chances of you getting excess skin and build muscle tone which means you burn more calories at rest. Getting into the habit of going to the gym or working out also means you’re far more likely to embrace a healthier lifestyle once the weight is off, and prevents you from slipping back into old habits. 







Buddy up


Whether it’s a partner, friend or even someone you’ve met online, buddying up can be so useful when it comes to weight loss and exercise, Having someone to spur you on when you’re doing well and motivate you when times are tough can be the difference between success and failure. If you know you struggle when you’re alone on a weight loss journey, speak to friends, family members, and other dieters online to see if there’s anyone you can partner up with. 

Losing weight and keeping it off is incredibly difficult, but doing so allows you to be happier, healthier and free of your insecurities. Make a change in your life for the better, make a start and focus on each step of the journey. It will be one of the best things you’ve ever done.

Are you on a mission to lose weight and get healthier this year?

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