One of the most common New Year resolutions people take is to lose weight. Though many people set goals for themselves, they find it difficult to follow through and are not able to achieve their goals. Here are some points you should consider when you are trying to achieve your weight loss goals.

Put your goals on paper

It would be a good idea to put your goals on paper (like want to lose 10 pounds, want to lose 5 inches etc.). This will act as a reminder for you. You could also keep a track of your achievements by writing down how close you are to your goal.

Monitor your lifestyle

Go over your daily routine and identify the causes of your weight gain. Gradually make changes in your lifestyle to attain weight loss.

Think about the results

Motivate yourself by thinking about the results of your weight loss program. Remind yourself of the advantages of weight loss. This will prompt you to work harder and stick to your goals.

Stop justifying your slip-ups

When on your weight loss program, if you cheat on your diet and happen to slightly increase your weight, don’t get disheartened. Instead take it in your stride and continue to follow your weight loss diet. On occasions where you find it difficult to devote 30 minutes at a stretch for exercise, split your workout into three parts of ten minutes each, instead of avoiding exercise altogether.

Treat yourself occasionally

It is a good idea to treat yourself to your favourite meal when you have lost some weight or inches. This will make you happy and encourage you to work towards your goal.

Plan your diet

People aiming at weight loss should closely watch their diet. Experts advise people to eat small meals 5 to 6 times a week. For example, you could have some nuts or fruit between your breakfast and lunch. Keep your dinner light.

Include fresh fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products in your diet. Avoid processed and deep fried items. Keep away from alcoholic and aerated drinks. Substitute them with water or lime juice. Stop using cheese and butter for cooking.

People who love sweets should try to eat a fruit instead to satisfy their craving for sweet. Avoid foods that are rich in fat and sugar. Include foods that are rich in fibre and protein. These are difficult to digest and keep you full for a longer duration. Drinking sufficient water is also very essential. Water not only keeps your body hydrated but also keeps you full. As a result, you tend to reduce your food portions.

Exercise

Diet and exercise go hand in hand as far as weight loss is concerned. One of the major reasons for weight gain is the sedentary lifestyle that people lead. Some form of physical activity is essential for weight loss. Different exercise forms like cardio, yoga and boot camp that help in weight loss are discussed below.

  • Cardio exercises are an excellent way to lose weight since they burn more calories at a time. You can burn more calories simply by increasing your workout duration or by making your workout more intense. Some examples of cardio exercises are walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling and aerobics. A 30 minute cardio workout daily will help you attain your fitness goals
  • Another effective way of losing weight is practising yoga. The yogasanas increase your body’s metabolic activity and help in reducing your weight. Breathing exercises which are part of yogasanas help in burning fat cells. They also help in increasing the strength of your muscles and toning your body. One of the most effective yogasana is “sun salutation”. Practising yoga is one of the best ways to remain fit.
  • A boot camp is a type of physical activity which is generally based on military style training. These workouts help in weight loss. A boot camp Balmoral will rejuvenate you and also help you attain you weight loss goals. The physical activity planned as part of a boot camp Balmoral program is carried out as a team. Each workout is different and fun to do. The boot camp starts with army drills like squats and push-ups and get difficult as the workout progresses. In addition to weight loss, a boot camp Balmoral can also help in increasing your endurance and correcting your posture.

Apart from these, dancing, martial arts etc. are also effective ways that will help you in losing weight.

Determination and a positive outlook will help you achieve your weight loss goals.