Ready to thaw out those weight loss resolutions that were frozen by the time February rolled around? Well, spring is the perfect time to get your weight loss journey back on track.
To help you get started, here are 12 of our best spring weight loss tips…
Reflect on Your Why
Take a moment every day to think about your “why”; the reason that is driving you to lose weight. Losing weight can be hard. You need a compelling reason to overcome the temptations and challenges that are sure to pop up throughout your weight loss journey. Your “why” will help you through the difficult moments. Create a list of what you stand to gain by reaching your goal and keep it handy for inspiration.
Create/Revise Goals
Be specific. Rather than making a general resolution such as “lose weight” or “exercise more,” name a concrete, achievable action: “I will lose 10 pounds” or “I will exercise for 30 minutes four times a week.” And while it’s good to have a specific weight or waistline measurement in mind, focus on the actions that you need to take to get you there, from eating better to increasing your activity level. This will aid you in creating a plan on how you’ll achieve your goal and increase the likelihood of success.
Spring Clean Your Kitchen
Take this opportunity to clear out your cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator/freezer, and go through them with your goals in mind. After you purge all the expired stuff, get rid of the sweets and snacks. Okay, if you must keep a couple things, then at least hide them! Put them out of view where you won’t be reminded of them. They’ll still be there when you really want them, but your mouth won’t be watering every time you catch a glimpse.
Now that you’ve cleared out the food, it’s time for some real cleaning. Do take some time to clean and organize your kitchen. You’ll be more likely to enjoy and use the space (to prepare fresh meals), if it’s sanitary, uncluttered, and easy to use.
Leave Fruit on the Counter
Turn fruit into your go-to treat to satisfy your sweet tooth! Put a fruit bowl on the counter. Keep refrigerated fruit handy and in view (instead of at the back of the produce drawer). Simply changing what you see will help you manage what you’re grabbing for. So put away the junk and put out the good stuff!
Eat More Protein & Fiber
When it comes to weight loss, and a healthy diet in general, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of including a lot of protein and fiber in your diet. Foods that are high in fiber and/or protein fill you up faster and keep you satisfied longer. As a result, you’ll experience less hunger and fewer cravings.
Eat Fresh
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Low in calories, high in fiber and important nutrients, they give your body what it needs to function properly. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up HALF your plate, with a majority of that being vegetables.
Keep a Food Journal
Keeping a food journal is one of the simplest things you can do to take control of your eating – and your weight. By keeping a record of what you eat, you’ll become more conscious of what you’re really putting into your body. And just being aware can change your perspective – and your choices. Keep one for as long as you like, but keep it for at least one week. That brief snapshot may be all you really need.
Keep a Fitness Journal
Just like a food journal helps you see the reality of what you’re eating, a fitness or activity journal helps you see just how much physical activity you’re really getting. Again, record at least one week of activities.
Take Advantage of Nicer Weather
As the temperatures warm, get out of the house. Start taking walks around the neighborhood or find a nearby trail. Now is the perfect time to start a new routine. And don’t let those spring showers stop you. Invest in some rain gear so you can keep your routine going no matter what the season brings.
Partner Up
Don’t go solo. Add some accountability, and FUN, to your weight loss journey by partnering up with a friend or family member who shares similar goals. When you share the experience, the challenges will be a little less challenging, and the victories will feel that much more victorious!
Get Enough Sleep
The amount of sleep you get contributes to your overall health. If you aren’t getting enough, you’re sabotaging your efforts to lose weight. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between inadequate sleep and weight gain. Poor sleep can increase your appetite. It can cause you to make poor decisions about how you satisfy that hunger. And to make matters worse, lack of sleep has been shown to decrease metabolism.
And there’s more. But the point is simple… Proper sleep plays a vital role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water can aid in weight loss in more ways than you might think. In fact, drinking more water increases the number of calories the body burns, reduces calorie intake as an appetite suppressant, reduces calorie intake as a substitute for calorie-laden drinks, helps metabolize fat (lipolysis), and helps the body remove waste more efficiently.
How much water should you drink? Obviously, everyone is different. So, it depends on a variety of factors, including your activity level, your environment, how much you sweat, and so on. But the general rule of thumb is 34-76 ounces per day, or 4-8 8oz glasses of water per day.
And there you have it: twelve of the best spring weight loss tips to get you back on track. Don’t let another day slip by. Spring has just begun, and summer isn’t far off, so let’s get started!