We all want to know the best weight loss success secrets that will lead to the results we want. Unfortunately, discovering these secrets is often easier said than done. While there is plenty of advice online, it’s surprising how much of it is unusable.
Far too many of these so-called success secrets are a waste of time. They’re either too difficult for the average dieter to achieve or are simply unrealistic to follow. This is disheartening and downright frustrating. After all, what most of us want are practical weight loss success secrets that we can actually use to our advantage and implement into our daily lives.
If you’re looking for these types of practical secrets to achieve successful weight loss, here’s 14 of them you can discover right now!
14 Weight Loss Secrets Revealed:
Weight Loss Success Secrets #1 – Set an Ambitious Weight Loss Goal
It is commonly recommended for people who want to lose weight to set a realistic goal (e.g. lose 5 – 10% of your starting weight). However, new research is showing that those who set ambitious targets tend to lose more weight than those who don’t. According to a 2016 study published in the journal of Obesity Science & Practice, if you make your goal your dream weight, you’ll be far more motivated to achieve it.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #2 – Don’t Ban Your Favorite Foods
If you don’t want to ensure that you spend hours every day craving the foods you love, don’t ban them. This is one of the most important weight loss success secrets. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite treats every once in a while. The occasional treat isn’t going to hurt your weight loss efforts. More importantly, you’ll enjoy it and it will be good for your mental health. Maintaining a positive state of mind is vital for weight loss success. You’ll likely find you have greater self-control when you don’t ban your guilty pleasures. Eating is all about balance.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #3 – Don’t Have Tempting Foods On Hand
While it’s a good idea not to ban your favorite treats, this doesn’t mean you should stock your cupboards with them. Get rid of any junk foods that you’ll be tempted to eat if you know they’re easily accessible. You’ll be far more likely to snack on healthier low-cal foods if your junk snacks aren’t in reach. If other family members or roommates keep these foods in your home, place them all in one cupboard that is off limits to you. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #4 – Eat More Than Salads
Salads are healthy and they’re great for controlling calories. That said the real weight loss success secrets about salad is that they can’t make up most of food that you eat in day. You need to fill up on the right foods, or you’ll be unsatisfied and hungry. The more time you spend feeling hungry, the harder it will be to resist the temptation to snack. Don’t shy away from everyday foods like rice, pasta, potatoes, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, lean meats, fruits and vegetables. You can eat a normal balanced diet without blowing your daily calorie limit. The more unrealistic you make your diet, the harder it will be to follow, and the more likely you will be to quit.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #5 – Explore your Culinary Creativity
Establish a good relationship with food. You can’t think of the foods that you eat or your low-calorie diet for weight loss as the enemy. Open your mind up to new meal and snack ideas and embrace cooking. There are many great ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. If you seek flavors, explore herbs and spices to give your meals a kick and fun new tastes! Every week, try something new.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #6 – Plan Your Meals
The less thinking you have to do about the food you’re going to eat every day, the less likely you are to make poor food choices. Get into the habit of planning your meals in advance. You don’t need to stress about it or make a big deal about it. Stay calm and organized by keeping a journal (a digital or paper notepad) handy. This way you can make notes about meals for the next day or two, whenever you think about it.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #7 – Avoid Eating Out Frequently
One of the fastest ways to ruin your weight loss efforts is to spend more time eating out than eating in. This might not be one of the more revolutionary weight loss success secrets, but it’s a critical one. Research has shown that people who eat out two or more times a week are more likely to gain several pounds per year compared to those who ate out on a less frequent basis. Just like your favorite foods, eating out should be an occasional treat. Always make enough food for leftovers whenever possible and take a lunch to work to reduce the temptation to eat out.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #8 – Watch Your Portion Sizes
Weight loss isn’t only about what you eat but how much you eat. You need to familiarize yourself with the serving sizes of the foods you eat on a daily basis. Pay attention to food labels and use measuring cups and spoons when you’re first familiarizing yourself with portion sizes. This will give you a better idea of how much of each type of food should be on your plate. Try drinking a full glass of water before you eat or starting with a clear soup or salad to help discourage overeating.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #9 – Plan a Cheat Meal
One of the most common weight loss success secrets is to have a cheat day. However, if you give yourself an entire day to eat whatever you want, this increases the risk of overindulgence. In turn, this may not only effect your waistline, but also make it harder for you to return to your regular dieting habits. For this reason, it is often far better to plan a cheat meal instead of a cheat day. Every week, plan for a special lunch or dinner. This way, you can enjoy your pizza, burgers, hotdogs or whatever you like, and stay on track for the rest of the day.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #10 – Keep Track of Your Diet
Stay on top of your nutrition and your workouts by keeping track of what you eat, your calories, your exercise, etc. There are many weight loss tools, such as food dairies and calorie counters that can help you stay on target with your weight loss goals. Get yourself into the habit of recording the number of calories you consume every day. The more consciously aware you are of the foods you eat, the number of calories you ingest, and the amount you exercise, the better decisions you’ll make for your health and weight loss strategies.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #11 – Make Exercise a Habit
Exercise needs to become a regular part of your daily life. That’s right, weight loss success secrets aren’t only about what you eat. Take the time you need to experience different activities, frequencies and schedules until you find what works for you. Your goal is to devise a routine that makes sense for you over the long-term. Physical activity cannot be a short-term strategy. When building a routine that works for you, keep in mind that it should be one that helps you burn calories, build muscle and keeps you flexible. Cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises should all be part of your basic routine.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #12 – Get Support from Others Who Understand You
Losing weight on your own can be a challenge. Whenever you can, share your struggles, ideas and support with other people who are in a similar situation as you. When you talk to people who understand what you’re going through, it can increase your chances of success. It’s always easier to stay positive and motivated when you know you’re not alone. Here’s more helpful weight loss success secrets, if you don’t personally know anyone who is in the same boat as you, consider joining online weight loss forums or local communities.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #13 – You’re not Dieting, You’re Changing You’re Lifestyle
If your goal is to lose weight and keep it off, the necessary dietary, exercise and behavioral changes you make are not only for the short term. These changes are your new way of life. Permanent weight loss isn’t just about reaching your weight loss goal. It’s also about maintaining your goal once you’ve achieved it. This is why it’s imperative you choose a diet and exercise routine that makes sense to your lifestyle and promotes positive wellbeing.
Weight Loss Success Secrets #14 – Don’t Give up
Everyone will lapse at some point on their healthy eating plan or their exercise efforts. What’s important is how you handle it. It can be very discouraging, but you can’t quit. Nothing good will come from you being angry or critical of yourself. The more critical you are of your mistakes, the harder it will be for you to stay on track.
Not giving up is the most important of all weight loss success secrets. Forgive yourself and move on. None of us are perfect. All we can do is keep trying our best.
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