Whether it’s losing a quick five pounds to fit into that new dress, or dreaming of that beach body for summer, weight loss can seem a daunting task. Most methods of quick weight loss revolve around food. However, for long-lasting results and a healthier overall body, you should focus on total wellness and good lifestyle changes. It’s recommended to consult your doctor before starting a new workout routine or drastically changing what you eat. However, these six tips are an excellent way to start your weight loss journey.
1. Count Those Calories
Counting calories is a great way to lose weight. When it comes down to it, weight loss is basically a numbers game. In a nutshell, the idea is to burn more calories than you take in. Keeping track of everything that goes into your mouth will give you a good idea of how many calories you’re taking in versus how many you are burning on a daily basis. Be careful not to confuse weight loss with general fitness, however. While controlling caloric intake leads to eventual weight loss, eating unhealthy foods will not improve your general fitness even though you’re losing weight.
2. Make good eating choices
Making good eating choices goes hand-in-hand with counting calories. If all you’re taking in is junk food then you’re not going to have the energy to exercise and burn those extra calories during the week. On the other hand, if you’re eating a balanced diet, your body will have more energy to complete your workouts. Diets high in protein and low in complex carbohydrates have been shown to aid in building muscle and had a positive impact on weight loss.
Likewise, eating more frequent, smaller meals and snacks may boost metabolism and help you achieve your caloric deficit for the week.
3. Take appropriate supplements
A natural follow-on to making good eating choices is the addition of safe and effective fat-burning supplements. When starting a new supplement, it’s wise to consult your doctor first. Otherwise, reading recommendations from customers, Nucific reviews, for example, can be a great way to get first-hand testimonials for products. Multivitamins, protein supplements, and metabolic boosters are typically the most recommended products to add to your routine. A probiotic may also be advised to help with transitioning your gut to the new, healthier foods you may be eating.
4. Get some cardio
Now that you have the nutrition routine established it’s time to get moving! Cardio is the best place to start burning those extra calories. Of course, it has the added benefits of helping the circulatory system, reducing blood pressure and aiding in lean muscle growth. Not a fan of running? No problem. Start with a 30-minute brisk walk. Or switch it up a little with a hike in the woods. For those rainy days, hit the elliptical at the gym.
5. Build muscle mass
Building muscle mass is another excellent way to burn extra calories and replace fat. Weight training, either using bodyweight exercises or physical weights, is the best way to reduce your BMI. Incorporating 2-3 workouts per week will get you toned up and trim in no time. It’ll also make you feel amazing. Be sure to include rest days or light days so you don’t get injured.
6. Get sleep and manage stress
Mental wellness has a considerable impact on your overall health and can impact your weight loss goals for good or ill. Establishing a healthy sleep routine and getting enough rest is supremely important to your motivation and can have a positive effect on your metabolism. Stress management is also an important factor in weight loss. An abundance of stress can even contribute to weight gain. So it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress in your life, whether it be meditating, praying, or simply taking time off to enjoy a walk on a nice day.
As your weight loss journey progresses, don’t get discouraged. You can do it! You might see periods of really quick loss followed by a plateau. Be intentional, stick with it and stay motivated. Soon your new, healthier self will shine through.