A lot of us would have weight loss as a New Year Resolution and my post today is dedicated to helping those who have weight loss or diet plan in theirs.
Anyone who has ever attempted diet control will vouch for this – food can test your resolve like nothing else! It seems that the very day you decide to watch what you eat, everything seems more palatable, more fragrant, more enticing! So unfair! I have always struggled to keep my weight in check and it takes a lot of resolve and hardwork for me to stay fit, I know I will never be skinny.
And I know if you are following a diet, the challenge is even tougher and I know this because I have done this many times . You have a strict regimen to stick to as well, alongside resisting the temptation of your favourite treats. So here are some tips and tricks that will keep you on track and ensure you don’t cheat too much.
- Store no snacks. Most dieters gorge on their favourite snacks in their moments of weakness. If you have nice treats close at hand when you’re craving something delicious, you are more likely to give into the impulse. So eliminate the temptation all together and store no snacks at home. If you do decide to cheat a little, store healthy alternatives like low-sugar products, low-fat ice-cream, etc.
- Make a Vision Board. As silly as it may seem, having a Vision Board helps. Pen down your fitness goals and put up a chart where you will see it regularly. This way, whenever you’re feeling weak, have a look at it, remind yourself why you must be strong and keep going. A good idea would be to have a picture of your dream body on it – it will keep your motivation levels up
- Incorporate a cheat meal in your diet. For any diet to be sustainable and successful, there needs to be some respite from the constant self-policing. So slate one particular meal as your “Cheat Meal” for the week. But make sure you stick to your schedule and don’t eat a cheat meal whenever you feel like. Stick to a daytime meal on a particular day – Sunday maybe – and do not binge otherwise.
- Track your progress. Many dieters avoid stepping on to the weighing scale in fear of not seeing any progress and losing motivation. But it can also be very encouraging if you do see results so weigh yourself every week. Even if you don’t see significant results, use this as inspiration and discouragement to try harder.
- Download an application. Technology can be your ally in staying true to your diet. Get a mobile application that tracks your food intake and calories. This will make you conscious of every morsel you consume, and help you keep track of your daily nutrition. You can even share your progress and diet with your friends, making all this fun rather than frustrating.
The bottom line is, you have to work on staying motivated more than anything else. Add more positive reiterations of the benefits you reap from watching what you eat. Do not focus of what you’re missing out on – focus on your fitness dream instead!
