The nights are drawing in, there’s a chill in the air and the shops are getting ready for Christmas, but with all the rich food and drink on the horizon, many people may already be planning their new year’s resolutions and for most, this will include either a gym membership or a diet, or both if you’re feeling extra guilty about those mince pies and pigs in blankets.
Every year, thousands of people vow to hit the treadmill and cut out chocolate, crisps and other treats, in a bid to get fighting fit for the year ahead. However, sadly most give up after a few days and return to their old habits. Others choose weight loss surgery, but what will you do?
Dieting tips
It’s great to have the intention to change your diet and shift those few extra pounds, but it takes hard work and a lot of willpower, which is why most people give up their new year’s diet so soon after they begin. Dieting can be a minefield, especially if you’re one of those people who likes to follow the trends and switch between the latest fad diets.
The key to dieting is to stick to a plan that is sustainable. You may lose half a stone after eating cabbage soup for a week, but it is not possible to survive on soup forever and you’ll probably find that you put it back on as fast as you lost it. A healthy, balanced eating plan will help you to enjoy a range of foods and give your body the fuel and nutrients it needs, while also helping you to lose weight.
Tips for sticking to your resolution
The best way to ensure that you don’t fail in your resolution quest is to make it realistic. There’s no point in saying you want to lose a stone in a week because it’s not possible and you’ll feel down when you can’t achieve your goal. A good place to start is to determine how much you want to lose. You can do this by measuring your BMI and calculating how many pounds you need to lose to be healthy, stable weight, then set yourself a time period. Nutritionists recommend a weekly weight loss target of between 1 and 2 lbs.
Some people think dieting is boring and long-winded and assume that measures such as gastric band surgery and gastric bypass surgery are a better alternative. However, in almost all cases, the most effective way to lose weight is to combine exercise with healthy eating. Exercise has a range of health benefits and you will soon notice the difference in your body, as you become more toned and happier with your appearance.
Many people find it fun and effective to lose weight with others. Joining community weight loss groups or going on a diet with your friend will help to keep you interested and help you to encourage each other. If you do well, reward yourself, as this will spur you on to the next goal.
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