You have likely tried many weight loss programs if you’re like most people. You were serious. You were determined. You persevered through the pain. You pushed through the pain until a few weeks later, when you gave up. This is the routine of millions. Problem is that most people jump in headfirst without giving enough thought to their individual program. There is no “Perfect Plan” that works for everyone. There is no magic formula that will work every time for everyone.
Weight Loss Programs
Your ideal weight loss program is one that you create. You must create a program that is tailored to your needs, desires, and likes. Here are five easy steps to follow when creating a weight loss plan for yourself. You can dramatically increase your chances of losing weight by spending a few hours planning your program. First, you must ask yourself what you want to achieve. Only then can you design the right program.
Do you want to lose weight? Perhaps you are looking to build muscle. You may want to do both. You can decide what you want to achieve and create a program that will help you reach it. You should only choose activities you enjoy.
Running
Running is a great exercise to help you lose fat. Running is a great way to lose weight, but if you don’t like the idea of running, you shouldn’t make it the mainstay of your weight loss plan. Your goal is to find a combination of activities that you enjoy that will help you reach your goals. It is not about being “best” or “most efficient.” It is the activities that you do consistently that are best and most efficient. Once you have established a routine, you can add other activities. Once you have made a list of your activities and taken stock, you can create a plan you will stick with.
You don’t have to run 20 miles per week if you haven’t run since middle school. Start slow. In the beginning, your goal is to establish a habit and make your new plan a part of your daily routine.
Remember
If you try to do too many things too quickly, your subconscious will shut down and turn you away. For the first month, do only one-third of what you think you can accomplish or twenty minutes. This should be done no more than 3 times per week. This is true for weight lifting and cardio. For the first month, keep it simple and light. You can gradually increase the intensity and length of your workouts at a pace that is comfortable but challenging. You are not trying to lose 30 pounds in a month with a quick and easy method.
These “plans” have failed many times. You’re throwing out all the gimmicks and starting to build positive habits that you can continue to improve upon as the years go by. There is no rush. Once you have taken stock of your situation and established realistic goals, it is time to plan. Write down your workout in your day planner.
Meal Plan
The same goes for meals. You should schedule five meals per day if you want to eat them. If you don’t schedule it, you won’t have the time. It is essential to prepare your meals in advance. You are setting yourself up to fail if you don’t prepare your meals ahead of time. This is the one thing you can take away from this article. If you don’t plan and prepare healthy meals in advance, then you’re setting yourself up for poor meals. Either you plan for success, or you plan to fail. It’s that simple. You took stock, set realistic goals, and planned ahead.
Now you are ready to start your new weight loss journey. But you are not done. Understanding the past is the only way to prepare for the future. You should keep track of every workout and every meal in a daily planner. It is important to note your mood before, during and after each workout and meal. You can then look back at the time period when you have a successful week or month to see what was important.
Final Tip
This is powerful information because it is not second-hand information. It is a recored history that shows you what worked. You can also use your written records as a way to discover why a period wasn’t successful.