Gym membership rates are often at their peak, and you’ll start seeing a trickle of motivated walkers and runners on your way to work.
Given your excitable nature about losing weight and exercising more often, what can you do to make sure you stick to your New Year’s resolution?
Here are 10 weight-loss tips you can follow to accompany your new, positive attitude and dedication to losing weight this year.
1. Calculate your BMI
Your body mass index (BMI) is calculated using a formula that determines whether your body weight is normal, overweight, or obese based on your height and weight. Knowing your BMI can help you set realistic weight-loss goals, and can give you a good idea of just how much weight you need to lose to become healthier. In many cases, if your BMI is still too high after dieting and exercising regularly, you may be an ideal candidate for weight-loss surgery.
2. Review your medications
Weight gain is a common side effect of many prescription drugs, including birth control pills. Make an appointment with your health care provider so you can discuss whether you can undergo alternate treatments in place of your medications, or stop taking medications completely so you can increase your success rate for weight loss.
3. Set realistic goals
Some individuals will experience rapid weight loss within a short period of time as a result of going on fad diets. Keep in mind that fad diets will increase your chances of regaining all your weight back at a later date, and that slow and steady weight loss is often proven more effective for long-term weight loss. Aim to lose at least one or two pounds per week for the first six months of your new fitness and diet routine, and keep your goals realistic. If you’re currently a size 16, don’t makes plans to fit into a size four by April.
4. Don’t skip meals
Skipping meals might equate to overall fewer calories in your mind, but skipping meals can affect your hormonal balance and influence you to make poor food choices and overeating. Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snack on healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts in between meals if you get hungry.
5. Change your liquid diet
Dieting isn’t just limited to solid foods, but includes drinks as well. Stop consuming soda, energy drinks, fruit juices, and coffee drinks, and limit your alcohol intake. Most of these types of beverages are high in sugar and calories, and can often negate the effects of healthy eating. Instead of relying on these types of drinks to get you through the day, focus on drinking more water.
