Reviewed by Dianne Hinton, NP, PA of Forum Health Modesto
One of the most common lifestyle changes people embark on is weight loss, and rightfully so – being overweight can lead to a number of health issues, from diabetes, heart disease, to increased risk of stroke and heart attacks.
With that in mind, it’s worth learning how to shed those unwanted pounds in a healthy, manageable way, and better yet – keep them off for good. Here are a few ideas to add to your list that can help support your weight loss journey while protecting your wellbeing!
1. Micro changes to your activity levels
Have you tried walking to the grocery store, to your office, or even setting up a walking coffee date with a friend? Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a tremendous difference. You can download a step counter to see how much you’re walking now and see how you can improve to reach a certain goal.
However, if you’re fasting from time to time to aid your fitness goals, be sure not to be overactive when you’re hungry, or you might experience a sudden drop in your energy levels and feel depleted. Instead, try including more activities dispersed during the day, such as walking your dog, or on your own, jump-rope in the morning, and other micro changes to become more active outside of your scheduled workouts.
2. Ask for guidance and support
Treat yourself to our specially tailored medical weight loss program. The program itself is designed to help you shed weight, build healthy habits, protect your immune system, and properly leverage supplements such as semaglutide.
While some people decide to purchase this medication on their own, learning how to use it can take some professional guidance. That way, you can make sure to use semaglutide properly to maximize your success and avoid yoyoing back to your previous, unwanted weight. Our medical weight loss program can help you leverage the medication combined with ongoing supervision and support without this risk.
3. Restorative sleep is a must
Proper, healthy nutrition combined with exercise is, indeed, the basis for any weight loss journey. But, it will be a much slower, more painful one if you don’t take good care of your sleep, as well. When you get enough shuteye consistently, you provide your body with enough time to repair itself, leverage all the great nutrients you’ve consumed during the day, and prep your body for the next round of weight loss efforts.
- Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time, allowing yourself around seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
- Try to avoid screen time a few hours before bed, to avoid disrupting your hormones and sleep patterns.
- Check if your mattress and bedding are supportive and comfortable – you’d be surprised how many people sleep on low-quality beds, which can affect their ability to rest properly.
4. Keep track of your nutrition
You can start using an app to monitor your macronutrient and caloric intake, or you can start journaling to discover what your diet is comprised of. No matter which route you choose, it will give you invaluable insights as to how much you really eat and drink during the day (liquid calories can completely derail your efforts if you’re not aware of your intake).
The more you learn, the better you’ll be at managing your calories and macronutrients, and it will allow you to optimize your daily menu, boost your immune system, and reach your desired weight without any issues.
5. Build stress-relieving habits
Too much chronic stress can be a powerful hurdle for your weight loss goals. The subtle, long-lasting dissatisfaction or anxiety built into your everyday life can do more damage than if you just have the occasional rushed afternoon. That’s why it’s crucial to include and refine your stress-relieving strategy into your weight loss plan.
- Consider trying meditation during the day to focus on mindful breathing and relaxing your body and slowing down your mind.
- Stretching and yoga can do wonders for a stressed mind.
- Set up a bedtime routine to soothe yourself before sleep, such as a bit of reading, a bubble bath, or a massage.
Stress relief is essential to prime your body for shedding and keeping unwanted weight off.
If your hormones are out of balance or you find yourself not able to beat insomnia, chances are, you’ll circle back to your binge eating and cravings in a matter of weeks. That’s why structure, support, as well as consistency matter. Use these little tips to drive your weight loss goals forward!
