Lose Weight and Get Fit: A Guide to Achieving Your Fitness Goals.
Updated: Sep 1
The best time to start the journey
The ideal time to start your journey towards losing excess weight and improving your overall fitness is whenever you genuinely commit to embracing a healthier way of life.
After over indulging following festive holidays like Xmas and New Year or the holiday season, many people find that they struggling with a sense of laziness and a lack of physical fitness. If this sounds like you and are keen to find a healthier routine, here are some valuable suggestions to help you start:
Establish a clear objective: Defining a precise goal can be a tremendous motivator and guide for your endeavors. Whether your aim is to shed a specific amount of weight, partake in a marathon, or simply enhance your well-being, a well-defined goal will provide you with a feasible target to work toward.
Create a structured strategy: After setting your objective, it's crucial to formulate a plan to attain it. This plan may include regular exercise sessions, the development of meal plans, and the integration of physical activity into your daily schedule.
Gradual start: If you've been leading a inactive lifestyle for an long period, it's advisable to start with low-impact activities like walking or yoga, gradually building up your workouts as your fitness levels improve.
Find a workout partner: Partnering with a friend for exercise can foster responsibility and motivation. Mutual support can serve as a source of encouragement to persevere in your fitness journey.
Diversify your routine: Repetition can lead to monotony in your workout regime. To stay keen, experiment with different activities and exercises. You may even develop a new passion in the process.
Maintain consistency: Sticking to your fitness schedule, even on days when you lack motivation, is crucial. Consistency is the mainstay of progress and achievement when pursuing your goals.
Don't lose Motivation: Fluctuations and setbacks are part of the natural course when working to regain fitness. It's essential not to lose heart if you encounter barriers or don't see immediate progress. Perseverance will eventually lead you to your desired destination.
Acknowledge your achievements: Take time to celebrate your milestones throughout your journey. Whether it's achieving a new personal best, fitting into smaller clothing sizes, or merely experiencing heightened energy levels, recognizing your progress can serve as a potent motivator.
Embarking on the path to regain your fitness after the holiday season may present challenges, but the benefits are unquestionably worth the effort. With adequate planning, unwavering commitment, and a steadfast approach, you can realign yourself with your wellness goals and regain a sense of well-being.
Reward yourself: When you reach a fitness goal or make progress, reward yourself with something you enjoy, such as a new piece of workout gear or a relaxing massage. This will help you stay motivated and celebrate your achievements.
Does dieting work?
Whether a dietary regime will yield favorable outcomes hinges on numerous variables, including your unique physiological makeup, dietary patterns, and daily routines. Outcomes can diverge significantly among individuals; while some may observe weight loss and enhanced well-being through a particular diet, others may not experience the same effects.
It's imperative to recognize that not all diets are equivalent in their effectiveness. Some may emphasize calorie reduction, while others may prioritize restrictions on specific foods or food categories (further elaborated below). Moreover, the sustainability of different diets varies, affecting your ability to stick to the plan and attain enduring benefits.
In essence, the most effective approach to ascertain the suitability of a diet for you entails seeking guidance from a healthcare expert or a certified dietitian. These professionals can collaborate with you to devise a customized plan that aligns with your distinct requirements and objectives.
How can I reduce my sugar intake?
If your aim is to reduce your sugar intake, Here are a few things you can do. Firstly, try to avoid sugary drinks, such as fizzy or sports drinks, and cut out sugar in coffee and tea. Alternatively, go for water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water with a drop of of lemon or lime.
Second, make yourself aware of how much sugar is in the foods you eat. Many processed and packaged foods, such as cereals, breads, and snack bars, can be high in added sugars. When shopping, check the nutrition facts label and ingredient list for added sugars, and go for products with lower amounts.
You can also try to eat more whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods can help you feel fuller and satisfied, while also providing essential nutrients and vitamins.
By gradually reducing the amount of sugar you consume, you may eventually develop a distinct dislike for it and actually prefer food and drink without it.
Julie allowed to to share her story after using our Self-Hypnosis recording to kick her addiction to sugar and chocolate. Read it HERE
How can I avoid fatty foods?
If your aim is to steer clear of high-fat foods, there are practical measures you can adopt.
Firstly, consider limiting or avoiding processed and pre-packaged foods, as they frequently contain high levels of fat. While you're shopping, scrutinize the nutrition facts label and ingredient list to gauge the fat content per serving and opt for items with lower fat levels.
Next, concentrate on introducing whole, unprocessed foods into your diet, including items like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These natural foods can make you feel full and satisfied while supplying vital nutrients and vitamins.
Additionally, increasing your home cooking efforts can give you greater control over the ingredients and cooking methods used. When preparing meals, select cooking methods that don't introduce excessive fats, such as grilling, baking, or steaming. And when incorporating fat into a dish, employ healthier options like olive oil or avocado in moderation.
How can I exercise at home?
There are various ways to exercise at home, even if you lack specialized equipment. Here are some suggestions to begin your home workout routine:
Bodyweight Exercises: These workouts leverage your body weight as resistance, including exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges. They need no equipment and can be performed virtually anywhere. There are plenty free instructional videos available on platforms like YouTube for expert guidance.
Yoga or Pilates: These disciplines involve a sequence of movements and poses that enhance flexibility, strength, and balance. Numerous online Yoga and Pilates classes are readily accessible, enabling you to participate from the comfort of your home.
Cardiovascular Workouts: Elevate your heart rate and enhance cardiovascular health by incorporating home-based cardio workouts. These can include activities like jumping jacks, skipping rope, or engaging in stationary running or jogging.
Online fitness classes:
During the Covid pandemic, many fitness studios and trainers offered online classes that you could do from home. These classes may have been live or pre-recorded, and they ranged from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and strength training. You may find that these are still available and perfect if you would rather work in private from your own home.
Remember, you don't need fancy equipment or a gym membership to get a good workout at home. With a little creativity and determination, you can find plenty of ways to exercise and stay fit.
Self-Hypnosis
Self Hypnosis and or Guided Meditation can be a great tool to help you to be more positive about your Health and Well Being. ​We have a large range of downloadable Self-Hypnosis and Meditation sessions HERE All the sessions on our website are written and recorded by Sharon Shinwell. Sharon is a UK qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist who has been helping people to improve their lives for over 20 years.
We have another article if you want to learn Self-Hypnosis as a method for losing weight and staying fit. Self-Hypnosis: How to master this effective therapy.
Why not download our Self-Hypnosis for Exercise Motivation
"This article represents the personal views and opinions of the author and should not be taken as representative of the official policy or position of any organization, professional, expert, or individual."