Do you have big weight loss goals for 2021? Are you wondering what you need to do to finally achieve your weight loss goals this year?
Losing weight can be difficult, but if you’re looking to drop a few pounds, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that 45 million Americans go on a diet each year.
Unfortunately, a lot of Americans end up quitting their diets a few weeks into the new year. How do you make sure you stick to your diet in 2021?
Check out this guide to discover the top tips for your 2021 weight loss journey that’ll help you slay the weight.
1. Set SMART Goals
SMART is an anacronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. This type of goal setting helps you focus your efforts so you’re more likely to achieve your goals.
Write down your weight loss goals, and see if they fit into the SMART goal-setting strategy. For example, many people say they want to “lose weight in 2021”. But you’ll notice, that’s not a very specific goal, is it?
For it to be a SMART goal, it needs to be more specific. How much weight do you want to lose? What date do you want to lose the weight by?
Additionally, you need to figure out how you’re going to measure your goals. For those looking to lose weight, this is pretty easy- you just need to step on the scale. However, there are other ways you can measure your weight loss goals.
For example, you can pay attention to how well your clothes fit, track your body fat percentage, or track your waist circumference with a tape measure.
To make sure your weight loss goals are realistic, don’t try to too much weight in too short of a timespan. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s smart to aim for 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week.
Lastly, make sure your weight loss goals are timely. In other words, give yourself a deadline for when you want to lose the weight by. Using the SMART goal strategy will help you stay focused on your weight loss journey.
2. Keep a Food Diary
Keeping a food diary can also help you throughout your weight journey in 2021. Often, people wonder why they’re not losing weight after overhauling their diet and hitting the gym.
By keeping a food diary, you’ll quickly notice that all of the mindless snacking, fruit smoothies, and handfuls of potato chips really add up throughout the day. If you’re overhauling your diet but not cutting back on calories, you’re not going to see results.
A food diary can help you figure out how much you’re actually eating and where you can cut back. For example, if you notice that the two milky lattes you drink each day are eating up a lot of calories, you may want to cut back to one latte. Or, you may want to switch to black coffee.
Once you notice where you’re overindulging, you can then set better goals for the next day.
3. Ease Into Your Weight Loss Journey
Many people start their weight loss journeys by going full throttle. They immediately start eating clean, exercising daily, and tracking their nutrients.
This “all or nothing” attitude often leads to burn out early on in the journey. If you’re new to the world of weight loss, don’t be afraid to take things slow.
It can be very overwhelming trying to figure out how much to eat, when to eat, what to do for exercise, and how much exercise to do. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, focus on making small steps.
For example, during the first week of your weight loss journey, your goal may be to go for three walks per week and eat two servings of veggies per day. During the second week, you may change your goals to three walks and a run and three servings of veggies per day.
Allowing yourself to slowly build throughout the journey will make it less overwhelming.
4. Figure Out an Exercise Routine That Works for You
You don’t need to spend hours on the treadmill to lose weight, nor do you need to lift the heaviest weights in the gym. Any expert will tell you that the best exercise routine to do is one you’ll actually stick to.
For many people, this means varying up their workouts as much as possible so they don’t get bored. For example, you may choose to do pilates on Monday, weight lifting on Tuesday, a long walk on Wednesday, and a run on Friday.
If you find yourself getting bored of your workout routine, shake things up with a new type of exercise. There are all kinds of workouts you can try, from barre to aerial yoga to swimming.
5. Unplug When You Eat
During your weight loss journey, it’s important to keep in mind that eating isn’t just for fueling up- it’s also for enjoyment! If you unplug during your meals, you’re more likely going to enjoy the food on your plate.
Turn off the TV, put your cellphone in another room, and enjoy the meal in front of you. Try to savor each bite, as this can help prevent overeating.
6. Hire a Personal Trainer
Often, people are more likely to achieve their fitness goals if they have someone holding them accountable. For many people, this someone is a personal trainer.
Not only can a personal trainer hold you accountable, but they can also create a fitness plan that suits your lifestyle.
Are You Ready to Start Your Weight Loss Journey?
Now that you’ve read this guide, it’s time for you to start your weight loss journey. Pretty soon, the pounds will be melting off.
If you’re looking to hire a personal trainer to help you on your fitness journey, contact us today.
