Strategies to Lose 50 Pounds or More
If you are 50 pounds or more overweight, the prospect of dieting and getting fit can be terrifying. On the one hand, you know how necessary it is to lose the weight, but on the other, you know you are getting ready for a long journey. As a person who has lost more than 50 pounds, I can tell you that it truly is a challenge, but it is one that you can do and the rewards you will experience are better than your daydreams.
Your task is much different than that of the person who has 10 pounds to lose. You will be dieting and exercising longer and the weight is going to come off differently simply because of how much extra you have on your body and the amount of time it has been there. Your task is about changing the way you live your life and not about a temporary fix. Here are three important things to keep in mind:
The first element of weight loss is starting it today. Just as a person who is addicted to alcohol or other substance must do, you must learn to view your diet and fitness program as a day-to-day challenge. Each morning, when you wake up, you only have to stay true for one day, but on this day, you must decide to exercise and eat in a manner conducive to weight loss. When you procrastinate by saying you will start “tomorrow”, you will not get anywhere, because tomorrow is always one day ahead of where you are.
Be reasonable about calorie-intake. When you reduce the amount of calories you consume by too many, your metabolism will slow and you will stop losing weight. Not only this, but recent studies have proven that losing too fast usually results in weight regain because your brain will believe you are starving your body and will adjust your metabolic system accordingly. Don’t let yourself go through the weight rebound. A good rule of thumb is to eat about 1500 calories a day.
Lastly, you will need to record your intake of food and the exercises you do every day. See your diet and exercise program as a work in progress and give it the respect it deserves. Keeping a record lets you see what you are doing right as well as what you are doing wrong.
While I was losing weight, I learned to concentrate on my goals every minute of the day. When you lose 50 or more pounds, you should allow yourself to feel some pride. You will look and feel better, but your pride should come from the knowledge that you can set a goal and be successful at attaining it.
Learn more about weight loss over 50 pounds. Stop by Karla Whitmore’s hubs where you can find out all about weight loss tips and what they can do for you.