We often make decisions to change our lifestyle to a healthier one because we feel it is important for our health. We decide that one of the steps to this goal is to lose weight. We want to take care of our weight, start eating healthier, and above all, lose a few kilograms. The beginning of this road may be a problem. How to start losing weight? How to start following the diet? Well, weight loss starts in the head!
Motivation for a good start.
Motivation allows us to move on and gives us the strength to make the first changes. Weight loss usually starts with dissatisfaction with the current situation, the desire to improve fitness, improve health, and wear your favorite dress. Suddenly, we start to notice that we are missing something, or that something starts to make our life very difficult. This is the moment when it is worth starting to lose weight, a decision matures in our head – o.k. it’s time for changes.
Ask yourself:
What bothers me the most in this situation?
What do I gain if I change my behavior?
How will this affect my quality of life?
Readiness for change.
It all starts in the head, so mentally prepare for the changes and accept them. You will need a positive attitude because losing weight is a long-term process that requires patience and perseverance. The changes we make will take us from the position of a master to the position of a student who learns and makes mistakes for some time. Therefore, be ready for difficulties, do not give up at the first failures and learn from your mistakes.
Ask yourself:
Is this a good time for a change?
Am I ready for difficulties?
What exactly do I want to change?
Create an action plan.
Start losing weight by planning the entire process. Take some time to do this so that you can determine exactly what you need to achieve your goal. It is good to write down what exactly we want to change and set a time when we will make a summary of our activities. Write down whether you will need the help of a dietician, coach or trainer. In this way, we will control our progress, and the work on a new healthy habit will go more smoothly.
Ask yourself:
What will help me change my habits?
What do I need in the weight loss process?
How will I control my progress?
Set a start date.
The New Year is certainly a magical time and gives additional motivation to make changes, but we don’t have to wait for this one day of the year. In fact, every date is good, it is only important that our decision is thought out, and not made on impulse. Therefore, weigh all the pros and cons in your head, and then look at the calendar and designate a specific day. However, it will be good if we do not have the event of the century in the near future.
Ask yourself:
How to prepare for this day?
When does he want to start, a specific day?
What if I don’t do it within that time?
Learn how the habit works.
Healthy habits are strong allies. Identify the habits you want to change and repeat them over and over again. Don’t give in to excuses and don’t let go, thanks to which our new behavior has a chance to be consolidated. Only consistent action will help automate a given activity that will leave our consciousness and free up space for other, more constructive thoughts. It is good to surround yourself with signals and triggers in the first days and weeks that will remind us of the new habit.
Ask yourself:
What habits will help me lose weight effectively?
How to reduce the strength and frequency of excuses?
How to change an old habit for a new one?
Seek support.
It is difficult to face all the adversities that we encounter on the way to change. The opportunity to talk about problems and weaknesses gives great strength to continue working on the way to a slim figure. Kind people will support us with a good word and motivate us in moments of doubt. Surround yourself with people who are going in the same direction, who already have healthy habits, or who, like you, are working on them.
Ask yourself:
In what situations do you need support the most?
Who can you turn to in times of weakness?
Who will help you in the weight loss process?
Ensure a healthy environment.
Let others know that you won’t be eating so many cookies, drinking wine and going to the pizzeria for dinner. Thanks to this, your friends will stop constantly persuading you and will have to accept your change. Unfortunately, if we do not change anything in our environment, we will return to the starting point. Therefore, in order to maintain the effects of reduction, it is important that the environment is friendly to us and does not put obstacles in our way.
Ask yourself:
Who should you tell about changing your habits?
What can I change in my environment?
Who will my change have little impact on?