Has anyone ever told you that before? I want to punch people in the face when they say that to me, but it’s the truth. Losing weight isn't easy. There is no miracle “diet” that will get you to lose 40 lbs in 2 weeks, and if there is chances are you’ll gain it back as soon as you start eating normally.
I was always the same way when I used to “diet.” I would sign up for Weight Watchers, lose 5 lbs, eat a cheeseburger and fries, gain it all back and cry. And Weight Watcher ain't cheap! I was always looking for the quickest results and nothing ever worked.
Now that I am almost 25, I have finally come to terms with that fact that this is a marathon. In this Women’s Health article, Lauren Slayton, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Thin, says “If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you want to do it more in the one to two pounds per week range.”
If you do a complete change in “diet”, you will see major result the first week. When I started, I lost 5 pounds and change my first week. I completely changed what I was putting into my body. But after that initial week I would lose a pound here and there, some weeks it was less than a pound. It is the most frustrating and infuriating thing in the world. And it definitely doesn't help to see other people who lose it so easily.
Here’s an example: My best friend is tiny. She was never fat. She gained some weight in college, but who doesn't? All she had to do was go to the gym a few days a week and she started to lose some of the chunk she gained. So when I would see her at the gym she would say, “My pants are getting so loose, are yours?” and they weren't and I would have to put a fake smile on even though I wanted to kick her!
The whole point of this post is that it is the slowest processes everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Currently, I am averaging about 1 pound per week. Some weeks it’s nothing and I want to throw my scale threw my sliding glass door, other weeks I can average close to two pounds. It’s a crap-shoot.
While doing some research, I came across this article from The Mayo Clinic. They have 6 strategies for successful weight loss.
1. Make a commitment: If you’re going to do it, commit to doing it. Don’t eat healthy for all week, then go drinking with your friends and have Taco Bell at 2 am. It's a 24/7 commitment.
2. Find your inner motivation: Like I said in my welcome post, I saw my life going one of two ways when my grandparents passed. I could live a long, happy life with no problems or I could spend the rest of my life fight illness that could have been prevented by a healthy lifestyle. What's yours?
3. Set realistic goals: YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE 10 POUNDS THIS WEEK! You’re just not! My first goal was 30 lbs and it took me 9 months to do it.
4. Enjoy healthier foods: I never liked broccoli as a child, I finally gave it a chance like 4 months ago. Roasted broccoli is my GOD-SEND! I could probably eat an entire head!
5. Get active, stay active: You can not depend on your gym buddy. You can only depend on yourself. Just get you ass to the gym or take you dog for a walk. Just get your body moving!
6. Change your perspective: Again, it’s not going to happen overnight. Do not expect immediate results. It’s a gradual thing, but in the end, imagine how happy you will be!
Just don’t give up! I know how hard it is to lose weight. It has been a fight I have been in my whole life. If I can do it, anyone can. Trust me!
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