As you prepare to take the step towards a new, healthy lifestyle, it is important to recognize the obstacles to effective weight management, as they can transform the implementation of your resolution into an effort in futility. Some of these obstacles are outlined below:
1. Skipping Meals.
Your body follows a natural schedule for meals, which is influenced by your eating habits developed over the years. When meals are not consumed as per this schedule, your brain receives signals that something might be wrong externally, such as a scarcity of food or a famine-like situation. To protect you during this perceived crisis, your body adjusts by slowing down its metabolism, which is the rate at which it utilizes calories. This adjustment ensures that enough fat is stored to sustain you through the crisis. Consequently, you may experience weight gain and fewer trips to the bathroom, as the unused or stored sugar can be converted into body mass.
2. Believing that your genes are to blame.
You take a look in the mirror and you see mum or your dad. You’ve been “blessed” with their body and there’s nothing you can do about it. After all, it’s hereditary. Genes do play a role in some cases of body weight. Family members often share the same body type. But for many of us, the most important factor in weight loss is calories-in versus calories-out. How many calories we eat and how much exercise we get. Even if family members are heavy, there are steps you can take to avoid sharing their fate. Regular exercise will build muscle and give your metabolism a boost, both of which will help you remove the propensity for weight gain that genes might bring.
3. Large portions at meal-time.
We are all brought up on the principle of three square (and large) meals a day and nothing in-between. This has helped many of us achieve the status of being overweight. A quick way to lose weight is to cut back on the size of food portions and eat frequently throughout the day. Your appetite is quite dependent on your mindset. If you’re used to having huge portions – even if you’re not that hungry. Train yourself to be satisfied with smaller portions. Your body will deal with the calories most effectively with this approach.
4. Rushing through meals.
Your body does not realize that you’ve had enough to eat until several minutes after you’re done with your meal. If you eat too hastily, you will fill yourself up and possibly eat more than you ideally should. Studies have shown that the body is accustomed to an average number of “chew” per mouthful. If you chew your food more than usual, you’ll eat more slowly and also trick your body into thinking that it has had more than it really has. You get the feeling of being full a lot faster. And stop eating at the first sign that you’re full.
5. Eating within hours of bedtime.
Your body’s metabolism slows down at night time. Going to bed with a full stomach will result in the inability of your body to deal with the calories as effectively as it would during the day. If you’re used to snacking at night, you’re actually contributing to the weight gain process.
6. Keeping unhealthy foods in your reach.
As part of a smart weight-control program, all junk food should be kept much further than arm’s length. Make sure you have a wealth of healthy options available for snacking and dining. Fruits and vegetables are a good place to start. Also, limiting some food, such as soft drinks that are high in sugar, will help you significantly reduce your calories intake.
7. Frequent meals at restaurants.
It is well-accepted fact fat makes food taste better. Restaurants want their food to taste good so they use a lot of fat in their cooking. It’s much better to plan your meals ahead of time to ensure that most of them are home-cooked. The bottom line with weight loss and management is that you must eat fewer calories than you burn. Still, the approach that works for someone else might not work for you because the process is individualized. It is up to you to find the right fit. Regardless of your approach, there are some keys to success. Building your weight loss and management program on the following principles will pave the way for a permanent outcome in your weight management endeavor.
8. Lifestyle.
It is not enough to eat healthy foods and exercise for only a few weeks or even months in order to achieve your ideal weight. You have to make them a part of your lifestyle. Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine. After assessing your personal challenges to weight loss, try working out and implementing a strategy to gradually change habits and attitudes that have sabotaged your past efforts. This will increase your chances of permanently maintaining your ideal weight. There’s the likelihood that you’ll jump the weight management wagon. Instead of giving up entirely, simply start afresh. Remember that ultimately, you’re planning to change your life. It won’t happen all at once. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle will ensure that the final results are worth every single one of your efforts.
9. Making a commitment for a while.
Permanent weight loss takes time and effort. It requires focus and a lifelong commitment. Make sure you’re ready to make permanent changes and doing so for the right reasons. Get emotional support to succeed in losing and controlling your weight, though you have to take responsibility for your own behavior. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go at it alone. Seek support when needed from your partner, family, and friends. Ideally, you should find people who will listen to your concern and feelings, and share the priority you’ve placed on developing a healthier lifestyle. Set realistic goals. When considering what to expect from your new eating and exercise lifestyle, be realistic. Make sure that the changes are health-supporting and that your goal is SMART; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and trackable.
1o. Dieting alone.
Dieting alone can help you lose weight. Cutting back on food portions will reduce your calorie intake. But exercising moderately and consistently will go a long way. Adding 30-minute brisk walk four days a week, can double your rate of weight loss. The goal of exercise for weight loss is to burn more calories; although exercise offers many other benefits as well.
They have you have them. Nothing good in life comes easily, even though that may not be 100% true. Your thoughts have a major part to play; the way you see yourself and act it out could quickly bring you the needed health and weight. Being happy at this moment no matter your weight and taking the necessary steps to attain a healthy life/lifestyle is the ultimate.