You have chosen this year to be YOUR year.
You are finally going to break through that barrier, I mean waistline, that has been getting bigger and bigger. You are finally going to lose the extra weight and go back to that body you remembered that you had as a youth. You have joined the gym. You bought yourself a great pair of runners. You now have gym gear taking up space in your dresser. You are watching all sorts of videos telling you how to get lean and bulk up those muscles. You are taking selfies after each gym session.
- This must mean you feel great, right?
- You are feeling like you are on the right path, right?
- You are already noticing a difference in how your clothes fit, right?
- Your muscles hurt so they must be growing, right?
- You have finally gotten it right, this is it, bikini body here you come, right?
Do you really feel all that? Are you so happy with these last two weeks that nothing could ever shake you from your goal? Well, if you are, I am so absolutely happy for you. But for the rest of us, we are looking at that mirror and saying “Are you kidding me? Nothing yet? How long is this going to take? When will I notice a difference? When do I get to shop for new clothes? How come nobody has noticed how much I have changed?”
This is, unfortunately, most of us. We actually are that second person. We really feel like we are working hard, but are seeing nothing in return. No, there is nothing wrong with you. You are so normal, it is kind of scary.
When it comes right down to it, how long did it take you to slide up into that larger than life size? 5 years? 10 years? One baby? Two babies? 2 jobs? Years and years of college? Think about it. If you have to look back at some photos, you will begin to see it. We didn’t put the weight on overnight and so it won’t come off in a couple of weeks.
Generally, we didn’t notice the weight gain for many years. We all have a different story and a different set of circumstances that we can look back on and find the beginning of putting on weight. Some of us have always carried a little extra, so it just became more of the same.
Keep in mind, even if you have tried to lose the weight before, even lots of times before, it is still worth the pursuit. Although yo-yo weight loss is not good for you, most of us don’t actually fall into that category because we haven’t lost huge amounts and put it back on plus some extra again and again.
So, now that wallowing has been put out there in front of us, what next. Well, that is in your control. I’ve talked about what it will take to lose weight. I have even put a guide together to get you started. In the end, it all comes down to a few, a very few, things to keep in the front of your mind.
These Simple Weight Loss Steps will get you headed in the right direction.
1. Keep your Goal where you can see it.
- Surround yourself with reminders of why you are doing this. What it will look like when you achieve your goal.
2. Encouragements
- Whether it is friends, family, or post it notes you need to keep the negative thoughts away and replace them with positivity.
3. Keep your timeline realistic.
- If your plan is 1-2 lbs a week, your goal is achievable and realistic. With activities that build muscles, your shape gets leaner and after all, it really is the size that you are after rather than weight.
4. Pay attention to your food.
- Whether you track calories, macros, prepackaged food, be absolutely aware of everything you eat. Not being aware, is where the extra calories hide.
5. Drink your water.
- Drinking your water does so many things for your body. Plus, it helps keep you full.
You are not alone in your journey. Most people are trying to improve themselves in some way or another at any given time. So you are in good company.
We will be there for you every step of the way. So when you need a shoulder to cry on or a question, we will be here. Connect with us and we will do everything we can to help.
After a lifetime of losing and gaining weight, I get it. No matter how you slice it, weight loss comes down to the simple formula of calories in, calories out. – Valerie Bertinelli
