5 Tips for Reigniting Your Weight Loss
By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Getting stuck in a rut with weight loss is a common issue. If you are just starting to work on weight loss, you may be overwhelmed with all of the areas where you want to make changes.
On the other hand, maybe you have been losing weight for a while but are looking for an extra push. You may want to revisit your goals and identify areas where you can keep making changes.
Wherever you are in your weight loss journey, these easy tips will help you get back on the path to success!
Establish a Consistent Eating Pattern
As with most long-term changes, consistency is key when it comes to weight loss. Being consistent with your eating patterns and not skipping meals will help you stay on track.
The best eating pattern for you will depend on your preferences and schedule. Maintaining a routine is more important than what makes up that routine. Maybe you feel best when eating three meals a day, or perhaps you do better with two meals and a snack. Either way, stick with it!
To avoid skipping meals, have healthy foods on hand so you always have something to eat even on busy days. Spend a couple of hours on the weekend preparing foods that you can easily throw together, such as baked chicken breasts, roasted vegetables, and baked sweet potatoes.
Eat REAL, Not Processed, Foods
The weight loss industry has flooded the media with promises of fad diets, magical pills, supplements, and imitation foods.
In reality, the best diet for weight loss is not a diet at all! Instead, making healthy lifestyle choices and fueling yourself with whole, unprocessed foods remains the best way to lose weight.
Eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables, other plant foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats is known to promote health and prevent disease.
Hydrate Between Meals
One of the most overlooked aspects of weight loss is drinking enough water. Staying hydrated prevents overeating, promotes metabolism, and improves energy levels.
To make sure you are getting enough water, make a point to drink water in between meals instead of just when you eat. Carry a reusable water bottle, spruce up your water with frozen fruit or citrus juice, and set reminders to drink water on your phone.
Sleep 7 to 8 Hours a Night
Out of all of the factors that influence weight loss, sleep is one of the most critical. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night can help you make healthier food choices.
When you are well rested, you are less likely to reach for foods that give a quick energy boost, such as sugar and refined carbohydrates. Adequate sleep also maintains hormone balance so the body does not receive signals to eat and store more energy.
Exercise or Move Consistently
Choosing healthy foods is only one aspect of making changes to lose weight. Exercise and movement are also incredibly influential in weight loss.
Incorporating more movement on a daily basis does not mean you have to run sprints or go to an intense exercise class. Just increasing the overall amount of time that you move can help. Check out these simple tips to increase movement.
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