When people aspire to lose weight and obtain that “dream body,” they often do so for the wrong reasons. They may want to look good for others, they may feel it’s necessary to be accepted into society, or they may plainly hate their body. Weight loss is not easy if you jump into it with unrealistic goals and expectations. There are key principles that a person must understand to have a successful, healthy and long-lasting experience.
1. Love Yourself
As someone who has spent a majority of their life dealing with their weight, I can sympathize with others on this. I can honestly say this is one of the most beneficial things a person can do for themselves. Weight loss isn't only a physical experience, but it is also emotionally and mentally challenging. I wasn’t able to truly make a change if I continued to hate how I looked or how I felt. I couldn’t love the person I was if all I did was compare myself. But, I was finally able to look myself in the mirror and say, “Because I love myself and the body I was given, I have to take care of it.” And you might say that it’s hard to love yourself because you think you aren’t lovable or attractive. Loving yourself when you’re fit is like only loving your children when they’re well behaved. Love yourself unconditionally.
2. Good Things Come To Those Who Work
One thing that always bummed me out while losing weight was having to eat healthy. I expected some change to happen if I had one healthy meal-replacement smoothie, but then ate multiple bags of chips afterwards. You have to make a huge effort to get what you want. People may say that they don’t have the time. If this is truly that important to you, then you will find a way. If it isn’t that important, you’ll find an excuse. You have to work long and hard to get what you truly want and trust me, in the end, it is absolutely worth it.
3. The Only Bad Workout Is The One That Didn’t Happen
You may lose motivation during your journey. This is something that I have struggled with on multiple occasions, but there is a very beneficial method that will help both your mind and your body: muscle confusion. According to Men’s Fitness, “muscle confusion is the regular practice of changing things up in your training program, including using different modes of activity and exercises.” This helps to fight the almost inevitable boredom of your mind and keeps your muscles from adapting to repetitive exercises. Additionally, you might feel too sore to work out again. You know what really helps fight soreness? Working out. You don’t have to do intense and strenuous routines, but stretching out your muscles with a nice long walk can really do wonders.
4. Losing Weight and Losing Fat Are Two Different Things
Most scales tell you how much your body weighs. However, when the number either increases or decreases you have no way of knowing whether you’re gaining or losing muscle, fat or both. Also, muscle is more dense than fat so a scale isn’t the best way to measure fat loss. One of the best ways to measure if you’re making any sort of progress is simply by how your clothes fit. It’s the easiest way to tell if you’ve gained or lost any fat in your upper or lower body. And it would also be helpful to invest in a tape measure and measure your waist no more than once a month. Women should aim for a waist less than 35 inches and men should aim for less than 40.
5. Don’t Give Up if You Don’t See Progress
It took more than one day to gain it. It’ll take more than one day to lose it. Don’t expect it all to be gone in a week. Statistically, it can take 4 weeks for you to see a difference and 8 weeks for your friends to notice. Do not give up just because it may take a long time. If you aren’t one for patience and hard work then there are other methods of weight loss, but none are as rewarding or long lasting as simply eating healthy and regular exercise.
These are principles I have learned firsthand in my experience with weight loss. Yes, they may not work for you, as you are not me, but that does not mean they aren’t beneficial at all. I highly encourage you that if you are 100% serious about making this change in your life, please heed my advice. I have been where you are. I tried every method that was practical at my young age to avoid exercise until I realized it was the best way. I understand the ups and downs that can occur, but don’t let them get to you. Do this for you and work hard because you love the body that was given to you.
