People who are trying to lose weight too often aim for goals that are simply too big to take on at once. They decide they’re going to completely change their diet overnight or they’re going to work out five days a week when they’ve never even set foot in a gym. Trying to take on huge changes like this usually doesn’t work. Sure, some may be able to do it, but for most people it’s much better to take things slow and gradually make changes.
If you’re trying to lose weight then do so in baby steps. Don’t try to completely change your lifestyle overnight, as it’s very difficult to make such big changes so quickly. Then when things fall through and you aren’t able to stick to it, you end up back where you started – or worse, even in worse shape because you give up.
Baby Steps to a Healthier Diet
If you want to start eating healthier, do so in small steps. Small goals will make it easier to grow into a healthier diet. You could start with something like committing to adding a salad as one of your meals each day. You could start with replacing your lunch time soda with a bottle of water. Small things like this make it easy to stick to and get used to. Once you’re used to doing that it comes naturally, then add another goal. Going slow gives you time to adjust and form better habits, as well as giving your body time to get used to the changes that are going on.
Baby Steps to
Just like taking baby steps to start eating healthier, the same kind of mindset should be used for working out. If you try to jump right into a schedule that’s strict and advanced, you’re probably going to end up giving up. Instead of trying to jump into a crazy workout schedule, simply shoot for working out one or two days per week. That’s it. No set times or specific exercises… simply a goal to work out period. You want to work out enough to feel like you’re getting something out of it, but you don’t want to overdo it.
If you start with too much too fast you’ll likely end up making excuses as to why you can’t do it. Take it slow and gradually increase the number of times you work out and for how long.
Today’s the Day
What’s most important in trying to lose weight and be healthier overall is your emotional mindset. Get it in your head and tell yourself today is the day things start to change. Realize that it will take time and give yourself that time to adjust with taking baby steps. Real change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to form new habits and break bad ones. Also realize that no one is perfect. There’s a good chance you’ll slip up here and there and that’s ok!
