Weight Loss Tips

I often get asked for tips on successful weight loss so I decided to summarize some things that have helped me along the way.

1.    Patience. This is hard during weight loss because we want to see quick results. Prior to joining Weight Watchers in January 2014, I tried losing fast. Sometimes it worked but as soon as I stopped, the weight came back (along with extra pounds). Do not rush something that you want to last forever.

2.    Track. This is a big one. Keeping a food diary has kept me focused. Whether you are using an app such as Weight Watchers or using a paper journal, it is so important to track.

3.    Accountability. This goes along with tracking. Do not only track the things that were you good choices. Track it all! Be accountable. Even if it uses up all your weekly and activity points. There have been a few times that I have chosen not to track a splurge meal but 90% of the time, I end up going back later and adding into the tracker.

4.    Plan.  I plan my dinners on a weekly basis. The weeks that I don’t, I find it harder to stay on track. I for sure plan Monday – Friday and then will have rough plans for the weekend depending on what we have scheduled. It’s a great idea to prep as much as you can ahead of time. It will make life so much easier. Be sure to stay stocked with plenty of healthy options so that you do not find yourself grabbing junk food.

5.    Enjoy. This shouldn’t be a bad experience. It should be an exciting time because you are making positive changes in your life. Do not stress about the process. Do not allow the scale to dictate your mood by making you feel disappointed and defeated. Celebrate your NSVs (non-scale victories). Have fun experimenting with new recipes and trying different foods.

6.    Support. Find people with common goals (at WW meetings, online communities such as Instagram, etc.) Enlist your family and friends to participate in helping you live a healthy lifestyle. It will benefit them too regardless of whether they need to lose weight. 

You can do it!

–Monica