Planning is the key to successful weight loss
The key to any successful event, be it a holiday, wedding, party or weight loss is good planning. If we want to do something and get it right, we plan for it. Losing weight is no exception to this. Plan for successful weight loss and and it will be within your reach.
If you have a lot of weight to lose you most probably have tried diet after diet with no success. Maybe you've lost weight then fallen off track or even regained what you had lost. We all know how disheartening that is. Don't let it put you off. You can achieve successful weight loss, the secret is in the planning.
Advance planning for successful weight loss gives you time to prepare psychologically. Every single step you take reinforces the fact that this time, you are going to make it happen. It gets your mind ready and gives you the power to take charge.
Here are 10 steps to plan your successful weight loss strategy.
1. Choose a date
Sometime within the next three weeks, will give you time to plan without being so far ahead that you put off starting.
2. Set a realistic target
The realistic part is all important because aiming to lose two stones in a month just isn't going to happen. With an unrealistic target you are setting yourself up to fail. Save your energy for a target that's achievable. If you have a lot to lose, set a mini target, take it half a stone at a time. That way your next mini target will always be in sight.
3. Visualise and feel your Target
Ensure your target can put a picture into your mind. This could be "Lose 2 stone and wear a bikini on the beach in June" or "Lose three stone and get into my size 12 jeans". Think of a situation you can "see" yourself in and imagine how fantastic you will feel when you get there.
4. Take measurements and photos
You'll want these to look back on to see how far you've come, or maybe just to spur you on if you hit a plateau. Looking back to the start can be a very powerful tool when you need some encouragement, so document the start of what is going to be a successful weight loss journey.
5. Gather moral support.
Tell family and friends what you are going to do, and ask them to help you. Give people a role to play. Tell them exactly what they can do to help and what you don't want them to do. If your friends are likely to try to persuade you to have a biscuit with your coffee, make it clear to them that if they do that, you won't feel that they are being much of a friend to you. Friends should be supportive and want the best for you, so make it very clear that this is what you expect.
6. Do your research
Have a look at the type of weight loss plans available and pick one that you think will fit into your lifestyle. Ideally chose one where you can feed the same food to the rest of your family, without them realising they are eating "diet" food. If you like this idea, take a look at what Slimming World have to offer.
Online forums are a fabulous source of both information and support. Spend some time reading through forum posts to get a feel for the way the forums work, by the time you are ready to start, you'll have found one that you are comfortable with and you'll be ready to dive right in.
7. Get organised
Look online and in magazines and find a selection of tempting recipes and collect these into a folder. That way you will never be without inspiration for a delicious meal.
Clear the fattening food out of your cupboards and stock up with low calorie choices as well as stocks and spices to use in your new recipes.
8. Make a Financial Investment
If you are struggling for money, you may just have to skip this step, but if you can, invest some money in this. It's an important project after all and you want to get the most from it. When you make a financial investment, you will be more motivated to succeed as you won't want to see your hard earned money going to waste.
Your investment may be the cost of joining a group, be it a local one or an online one. It may be a gym membership or a pair of good walking shoes. You may want to invest in some weight loss products to help with your diet. Take a look some of the great weight loss products on our product pages. Whatever you chose, spending money on it will reinforce your commitment, help to keep you motivated and is an important part of your plan for successful weight loss.
9. Plan Treats
This is particularly important if you have a lot of weight to lose and and you know it will take you a while to get there. If you allow yourself a treat for every mini milestone, you will always have something to look forward to. Your treat could be anything from some "me time" in a lovely scented bath,or a new lipstick. Anything really that makes you feel good about yourself. Try to steer clear of foodie treats though, for obvious reasons.
10. Track your Progress
One really useful tip is to track your progress with a visual reminder. This could be as simple as a jar with some pennies or stones. Put one in to represent every half a pound lost.
If you can afford to be extravagant, you could treat yourself to a charm bracelet, or persuade some one to buy you one. Add a small charm for every target reached and wear it every day to remind you of what you are aiming for and how far you've come. Either way, you'll have a great visual reminder of how well you are doing.
By preparing yourself psychologically and by preparing an advance plan for successful weight loss, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goal, well before you even start.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dani_Mills
Try To Read this article : Weight Loss Tips To Help You Find Success
The key to any successful event, be it a holiday, wedding, party or weight loss is good planning. If we want to do something and get it right, we plan for it. Losing weight is no exception to this. Plan for successful weight loss and and it will be within your reach.
If you have a lot of weight to lose you most probably have tried diet after diet with no success. Maybe you've lost weight then fallen off track or even regained what you had lost. We all know how disheartening that is. Don't let it put you off. You can achieve successful weight loss, the secret is in the planning.
Advance planning for successful weight loss gives you time to prepare psychologically. Every single step you take reinforces the fact that this time, you are going to make it happen. It gets your mind ready and gives you the power to take charge.
Here are 10 steps to plan your successful weight loss strategy.
1. Choose a date
Sometime within the next three weeks, will give you time to plan without being so far ahead that you put off starting.
2. Set a realistic target
The realistic part is all important because aiming to lose two stones in a month just isn't going to happen. With an unrealistic target you are setting yourself up to fail. Save your energy for a target that's achievable. If you have a lot to lose, set a mini target, take it half a stone at a time. That way your next mini target will always be in sight.
3. Visualise and feel your Target
Ensure your target can put a picture into your mind. This could be "Lose 2 stone and wear a bikini on the beach in June" or "Lose three stone and get into my size 12 jeans". Think of a situation you can "see" yourself in and imagine how fantastic you will feel when you get there.
4. Take measurements and photos
You'll want these to look back on to see how far you've come, or maybe just to spur you on if you hit a plateau. Looking back to the start can be a very powerful tool when you need some encouragement, so document the start of what is going to be a successful weight loss journey.
5. Gather moral support.
Tell family and friends what you are going to do, and ask them to help you. Give people a role to play. Tell them exactly what they can do to help and what you don't want them to do. If your friends are likely to try to persuade you to have a biscuit with your coffee, make it clear to them that if they do that, you won't feel that they are being much of a friend to you. Friends should be supportive and want the best for you, so make it very clear that this is what you expect.
6. Do your research
Have a look at the type of weight loss plans available and pick one that you think will fit into your lifestyle. Ideally chose one where you can feed the same food to the rest of your family, without them realising they are eating "diet" food. If you like this idea, take a look at what Slimming World have to offer.
Online forums are a fabulous source of both information and support. Spend some time reading through forum posts to get a feel for the way the forums work, by the time you are ready to start, you'll have found one that you are comfortable with and you'll be ready to dive right in.
7. Get organised
Look online and in magazines and find a selection of tempting recipes and collect these into a folder. That way you will never be without inspiration for a delicious meal.
Clear the fattening food out of your cupboards and stock up with low calorie choices as well as stocks and spices to use in your new recipes.
8. Make a Financial Investment
If you are struggling for money, you may just have to skip this step, but if you can, invest some money in this. It's an important project after all and you want to get the most from it. When you make a financial investment, you will be more motivated to succeed as you won't want to see your hard earned money going to waste.
Your investment may be the cost of joining a group, be it a local one or an online one. It may be a gym membership or a pair of good walking shoes. You may want to invest in some weight loss products to help with your diet. Take a look some of the great weight loss products on our product pages. Whatever you chose, spending money on it will reinforce your commitment, help to keep you motivated and is an important part of your plan for successful weight loss.
9. Plan Treats
This is particularly important if you have a lot of weight to lose and and you know it will take you a while to get there. If you allow yourself a treat for every mini milestone, you will always have something to look forward to. Your treat could be anything from some "me time" in a lovely scented bath,or a new lipstick. Anything really that makes you feel good about yourself. Try to steer clear of foodie treats though, for obvious reasons.
10. Track your Progress
One really useful tip is to track your progress with a visual reminder. This could be as simple as a jar with some pennies or stones. Put one in to represent every half a pound lost.
If you can afford to be extravagant, you could treat yourself to a charm bracelet, or persuade some one to buy you one. Add a small charm for every target reached and wear it every day to remind you of what you are aiming for and how far you've come. Either way, you'll have a great visual reminder of how well you are doing.
By preparing yourself psychologically and by preparing an advance plan for successful weight loss, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goal, well before you even start.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dani_Mills
Try To Read this article : Weight Loss Tips To Help You Find Success
