4 Steps to Start Your Weight Loss Journey

Setting goals and making healthy changes to your diet are vital to losing weight. Your weight loss program should include several factors, including your lifestyle, motivation, and diet. Before you start your weight loss journey, discuss your plan with your doctor. They can help you tailor your program to your needs and monitor your progress safely. Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds or lose a lot of weight, small changes can significantly impact your health.

Setting Realistic Goals

Setting goals is crucial in the process of weight loss. It will help you determine your weight loss goal and set a date for achieving it. You might find focusing on smaller, more manageable goals easier than focusing on the result. There are several effective goal-setting strategies. For example, it can be helpful to set a first weight loss goal of getting out of the obese category. Undergoing weight loss surgery Delaware is a good option for a short-term, more straightforward solution. Weight loss surgery changes the function and shape of your digestive system. This surgery can help you lose weight and manage obesity-related diseases. These conditions include diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and stroke risk factors.

Identifying Motivation

Identifying the motivation to start your weight loss regimen can be tricky. Most motivation is intrinsic and is based on internal reasons. While external rewards and punishments may be motivating in the short run, they usually don’t last. After all, you can’t keep your motivation up just because you bought that new pair of shoes or were invited to the office party. Most people look at motivation as something passive, waiting for it to knock on the door. But motivation is something that you must choose. Furthermore, you’ll be more likely to engage in healthy behavior when you identify your motivation. The key is to find the right kind of motivation

Meal Planning

When you plan your meals, you will know how many calories and portions to prepare for each meal. Then, you can determine how often you can prepare the meals. It is also essential to remember that you should have a light snack between meals. Meal prep is a great way to stick to your diet and avoid binge eating between meals. By creating a meal plan, you’ll be able to choose filling, healthy, and satisfying foods.

To start your meal planning, you need to gather many ingredients. You’ll also need some essential tools and a well-stocked kitchen. Healthy diets typically contain few or no ultra-processed foods and added sugars. You may also need a few items in your pantry. These items range from salad dressing and spices to diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Following a meal plan will make you more likely to stick to it over time.

Measuring Body Parts

Knowing the exact measurements of the different body parts is crucial before starting your weight loss journey. Waist circumference is the most basic measurement:

1. Stand up and measure the part of the torso around your navel.
2. Calculate your arms from the midpoint of your shoulder to your elbow.
3. Use this measurement as a reference when you’re making your weight loss plan.

Once you know your waist size, you’ll be able to use the information in a formula to determine your body fat percentage.

The most common body parts to measure are the arms, chest, waist, hips, legs, and thighs. It would help if you counted yourself each week at the same spot to see how much weight you’ve lost. For best results, wear fitted clothing and stand with your feet together. Make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable while taking the measurements.