Creating a weight loss plan is all about finding what works for you, your schedule, and your lifestyle. That said, you should also think long-term. What will you be happy to continue doing for years to come? It’s all well and good if your strategy helps you to drop the pounds now, but if you can’t keep the weight off, it isn’t all that helpful for you.
The Importance of the Right Reward in a Healthy Weight Loss Plan?
A weight loss plan should include all the foods you must eat, such as 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. It also should include things you must eat in moderation – things you have to cut back on. Many people work well with a reward.
Still, it’s important not to use a reward that will work in direct opposition to your goals. For example, it’s common to think “if I exercise each day for 5 days then I will allow myself one slice of cheesecake”. However, keep in mind that the calorie-loaded cheesecake will offset some of those hours of exercise you painstakingly completed during the week. Instead, choose a reward that you’ll enjoy without slowing your progress.
Creating Structure
It is best to set up a workout schedule, but something flexible. Designate times and write them into your schedule. These are non-negotiable. If you’re inclined to skip workouts because you get too busy during the day, do them first thing in the morning. It can take some getting used to, but you’ll discover that it always ensures your workout gets done. Moreover, you’ll also enjoy lots of added energy throughout the day because of your great start.
In your weight loss plan you should include an exercise schedule. Many experts suggest that you plan and pencil in the times and days that you need to exercise, the same as you would if your had an important meeting to attend. If you are just starting out you should try and get about 30 minutes of cardio 5 times a week, then slowly increase your time to an hour.
An exercise plan should not be the same thing each day, you should rotate or alternate between exercises. If you perform the same activity daily your body will get used to it, and will not burn as many calories or as much fat. Make sure to include flexibility in your plan, maybe have some quick exercises you can perform if you do not have a full 30 minutes to dedicate. There are plenty of “5-minute workouts to torch fat all day” and things along those lines online.
Your weight loss plan would be easiest to stick with if you make a detailed outline or guide of what you need to eat, what you should limit, and what you can have as a reward for later. As mentioned earlier, many experts say that a food reward is not a good thing to use. That said, you should also avoid feelings of deprivation. It’s better to allow yourself portions of the food you love within reasonable amounts than to break down and overeat them.
What to Look for in a Healthy Diet
There is no single weight loss diet that works for everyone. Instead, you need to find what works best for you. That said, make sure you’re thinking long-term and avoiding falling into the latest fad calling itself a weight loss plan.
For the average person, is best to have a diet that contains a proper balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) with at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. You may also find that adhering to a healthy calorie range can help you to discover which portion sizes are appropriate. When you are creating a menu or a guide you should include foods that are diet friendly and you can see yourself eating on a pretty regular basis. You should also make a list of the foods you enjoy that may not be “bad” but are still not something you should have all the time. Then give yourself a guideline to how often you should enjoy these foods.
Find Your Drive
Most important to a successful weight loss plan is to find ways to stay motivated and don’t give up on yourself. With any effort to reach goals, it is important to stay motivated, and not to give up. The best way to do that is first and foremost do not push yourself to extremes in the beginning.
Start small, always. Many people find visual motivation very helpful. You could create a diet journal and fill it with inspirational quotes and pictures, as well as an outline of your weight loss plan. Some people find that buying a pair of pants in the size they wish to be is very helpful as well.
When you are coming up with a weight loss plan that YOU will stick with, YOU is the key word. Everything should be customized to fit YOU; you may actually have to try a few different things before you find something that actually works for you. When creating a weight loss plan remember to start small, you don’t want to burn yourself out. Most importantly find what motivates you and stick with it.
