Get Started Losing Weight

You’ve set your goals, now what?

Losing just 10% of your body weight can immediately lower your risk for complications associated with obesity.

Now, maybe 10% is the right amount of weight loss for you – or maybe not. Maybe you just want to find a threshold (like get from 208 to under 200). Maybe you just want to maintain your current weight. Your weight loss goals are entirely up to you, and you need to “own it.” But whatever your goals, there are a few simple things you can do to focus yourself and stay focused:

Ready, set….
Pick your start date. It doesn’t have to be a Monday. Find a time of the week when you usually have time to reflect and make it YOUR personal Monday!

Day one:
Okay, it’s your personal Monday, now write it down, picture it, say it out loud. This is your time to make a commitment to a happier, healthy lifestyle. This is where you tell yourself you are worth it.

Clean out your “closet”:
Go through the cupboards and pantry at home, in your office, the drawers of your desk at work, the office breakroom, anywhere you stash food. Don’t allow yourself easy access to stumbling blocks. If it’s not immediately available, it’s easier to keep yourself on track for success.

Short term goals:
Short term goals are a huge part of finding success with your long term goals. This is especially true if you need to lose a lot of weight. Healthy weight loss doesn’t happen all at once. Rather, it’s a process of changing the way you approach food and exercise and life in general.

Typically, the first week of any diet can yield weight loss of 10 pounds or so (the record at Ourlife is 20 pounds in the first week). Thereafter, expect to lose 2 to 3 pounds a week. If you set reasonable expectations, you are less likely to be disappointed.

Plan:
Yep, that’s right. Plan. Look forward to that preparation. Think about how great it feels to know that you have all the right “ingredients” for your day-to-day success. If you must, choose a special cabinet in the kitchen for your Mini Meals and other healthy ingredients.

Write it down:
This is a big deal – keep a journal of your progress! Use that same “Monday” time each week to pay attention to yourself and your body. Weigh yourself, then take a moment to write down the result.

What’s been working? What’s your biggest struggle? Did you splurge? If so, write it down. Did you exercise? Keep track of and study your progress so that you can stay accountable to yourself and to your goals.

Avoid danger zones:
First of all, surround yourself with positive influences. Got a friend who likes to call for a slice of pizza? Tell them you are focused on losing some weight and ask them if they’d like to join you in the journey! Or, suggest a healthy alternative to pizza.

Also: lots of us eat when we are stressed. Come up with alternative stress relievers that don’t involve food. How about a long walk in a pretty place?

Do this for you:
Give yourself permission to say “I can do this!” Say it as many times as you need to say it. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated, and keep going even when you don’t feel like it. The reward is worth it and so….

Reward your progress:
You are making things happen, and it’s time to give back to yourself!

Keep in mind—you will get a free weight loss consultation with one of Ourlife’s Wellness Coaches with your first web order (by phone or email). We can decide together how best to keep you on track during your weight loss journey!