Losing weight is tough. But maintaining a healthy weight is one of the top three things you can do to take care of your health, ranking right up there with eating right and getting sufficient sleep. But too many diets fail. So what do you need to do differently? Here are 5 things:
If you’re not a morning workout person, you’re not all of a sudden going to become one. You can’t be something you’re not. Some people are not cut out to be a morning workout person. So if you’re not, don’t think you’ll magically become one. Instead, make yourself accountable by investing in some sessions with a personal trainer, signing up for a class with a friend, or combining some of the more passive activities you engage in, such as watching your favorite TV show, with some exercise, and then coupling that with walks at lunchtime to get you started in a new direction.
Clean out your cabinets and refrigerator. Chips and cookies at home are far too temping, so remove them. If you don’t have them at home, you can’t eat them. Instead, stock up on things like watermelon slices (perfect for this time of year), dried fruits without excess sugar added, or check out these awesome recipes for chocolate avocado mousse and banana ice cream, all of which will satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt.
Invest in workout clothes and keep your gym bag packed. If you drive, keep fresh gym clothes and shoes in your car, so you never have the excuse that you don’t have the right gear on you, or have to be tempted by heading home first before you even make it to the gym. Similarly, it doesn’t help if you feel like an utter slob in your sweats. Get something in materials or colors you like, do you don’t actually mind wearing it. And protect your feet with the right footwear!
Change the behavior, not just the things around you. You can purchase a bunch of meals or supplements in a diet program, but is that something you plan on doing every day for the rest of your life? If you don’t change your approach and thinking about diet and exercise, it will be more challenging to maintain your progress over a long period of time. What are you thoughts surrounding food and exercise? Working in a support group or with a therapist can help.
Get off the scale. Stop making yourself crazy by weighing yourself. You know when your pants feel looser. Focus on how you feel and your path. When your head and heart are in the right place, the body and numbers will follow.
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DASHA® is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
