People strive to lose weight for a variety of reasons, and there are numerous factors to consider, but getting started can be the hardest step to take on your weight loss journey. Here are some things you can do to help you gradually lose weight.
Burn Calories With Exercise
The process of exercising burns calories, which helps you lose weight. Your body burns calories by engaging in physical activities like running, cycling, or strength training. This forces your body to use its fat reserves for energy, essential for weight loss.
If you’re just starting, try walking or cycling to work or doing this activity early in the morning to get your exercise journey kickstarted.
Plan Your Diet Accordingly
Start reducing your intake of unhealthy and fatty foods and couple this with your exercise regime to get a daily calorie deficit. This is essential to begin losing weight.
Changing your eating habits overnight is hard, so instead of adopting a Mediterranean diet or cutting out your favorite foods, try cutting down your portions over time. You can also begin incorporating healthier substitutions as you cut down portion size.
Pre-Prepare Your Meals
By pre-cooking and preparing your meals at the beginning of each week, you’ll find it easier to stay on track with your weight-loss plan. This will discourage you from eating out. Also, if the meals are made from the right ingredients, it will keep you feeling full and able to gain that calorie deficit you need to lose the pounds gradually.
Keep a Weight Loss Journal
Record what you eat daily in a journal so that you can review it at the end of every week. This will hold you more accountable for everything you consume in a day and make you question whether you really need that snack or extra portion. A weight loss study concluded that those who kept a record of their eating habits lost nearly twice as much weight as those who didn’t.