Any journey starts off with the right mindset. These are some of the steps I took to kick start my weight-loss journey.
1. Listen to your body
I can't stress this enough. I think this is what helped me stay consistent. There'll be some days where you will want a chocolate bar so treat yo' self. There'll be days where you won't feel like working out so just enjoy a rest day doing what you love. You'll be so much more productive if you go the next day with a fresh mind.
2. Realistic goals
Take one day at a time and set yourself small and realistic goals. If you're looking to lose weight set small milestones and once you achieve those, you'll feel motivated to push yourself further. Remember not to weigh yourself too often as our weight fluctuates based on other factors so it can be really de-motivating. You'll naturally feel changes in your body and make sure to take before and after photos as that is the only way you'll notice small physical changes.
3. Get in those extra steps
Walking throughout the day is a great way to burn extra calories throughout the day. I try walk where I can. In the mornings, instead of taking the bus I get out a little earlier and walk to the station. I try aim for at least 10,000 - 12,000 steps a day. It sounds like a lot of steps but if you're active throughout the day you'll easily achieve this. I'm quite competitive so I'm always trying to beat this score. Working in an office job doesn't help but my Fitbit sends me reminders when I've been sitting for too long. Staying active will help you to burn more calories throughout the day and even during your rest days.
As well as staying active throughout the day, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. I bought two water bottles online that encouraged me to drink more water. I use this one for when I'm at work or at home as the timings remind me to drink enough water throughout the day. I have a larger 2 litre bottle for when I can't be bothered to refill my bottle. Sometimes I trick my mind by using a 1 litre bottle as it makes me feel like I'm drinking less and sometimes I just want to see 2 litres of water in front of me and get through it. Both bottles are pink which is obv a huge bonus!
4. Combine fitness with diet
I made sure to make conscious decisions about what I ate and made smart swaps. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But start this journey one step at a time and let your mind and body adapt to this new lifestyle - yes, make it a lifestyle not a diet. I wish I was one of those girls who could eat whatever they like without gaining any weight but unfortunately I gain 5 pounds just by looking at a piece of cake. To lose weight you need to be on a calorie deficit, which means you intake less calories than you burn. My Fitbit helped me monitor how many calories my body was burning throughout the day. The app also allows you to track how many calories you are consuming through logging your daily meals.
They say abs are made in the kitchen, however, to maximise results and to generally remain fit it's important to also work out. Different workout styles work for different people so I think it's important to find something that you love then it feels like less of a workout. I prefer weight training over cardio and I saw better results once I started lifting. Set a target on the number of days that you want to work out as it will help you to plan your week and motivate you to stick to it. I think on average 3-5 days a week is a good amount of days to train and see results.
I follow a 'everything in moderation' mindset. If you crave a sweet treat, allow yourself to have it. If you deprive yourself of it you might find yourself constantly thinking about it and then completely fall off the radar. You don't have to let one bad meal or snack ruin the entire days diet. I find this way it helps to not ruin your fitness journey as the 'extra' calories you just consumed might not do much harm to your overall calorie deficit count. You'll do more damage by just eating for the sake of eating just because you feel like you already ruined your diet.
5. Be inspired
Sometimes you just need to find a little motivation to help you kick start your journey. At first I used to just look for inspo on Instagram, whether it be for exercise routines or for the 'perfect' body. It's so motivating to see other girls working hard to achieve their dream body.
Start your journey...
I know these tips seem so simple but it helped me lose 4kg! If you make it into a 'diet' you'll hate the process and trust me when I say, the weight will just bounce back. Making a lifestyle change helped me to achieve results and maintain it - something I've always struggled with. It’s just about figuring out what works for you and remaining consistent. And when you fall off track, just get right back up and keep going. You'll have bad days and that's ok.
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