Losing weight is no small journey and can be overwhelming to think about at times. But just because you are embarking this journey doesn’t mean you have to make giant steps to make a difference. There are definitely ways you can accelerate your weight loss, but for most people, it’s best to start out small and build from there. That way you aren’t burnt out after the first few weeks.
It can be hard to find a great place to start, so we’ve gone ahead and pulled together some of the things that we find easiest to change in your daily routine. Not all of them will be perfect for what you are looking to accomplish but picking the ones that work for you will get you started!
Small Changes to Lose Weight
- Begin Taking Short Walks
This “step” is quite literal! Taking small walks throughout the day is an easy way to get moving and burn some calories. This could be walks on a treadmill, walks through a park, or just a walk around the neighborhood. Walking helps increase your heart rate, and when your heart is pumping, it pumps blood and oxygen to your muscles. Walking is a great, and easy way, to help keep your heart strong and get yourself moving.
Having trouble motivating yourself to go on a walk? We recommend finding a friend to join, or going on a walk with your fur baby! There may also be walking groups that meet around your neighborhood or city that you can join. Use the different social media platforms to find people with like-minded goals around you!
- Start Eating Breakfast
In this day and age, finding time to eat breakfast can be extremely challenging. Especially when you are juggling kids, work, pets, and daily household chores. But breakfast can be extremely important when it comes to your weight loss journey. Even if it is something small like a protein bar or fruit, it can make a huge difference in how your day goes.
When you eat breakfast, you not only gain the nutrients you need to begin your day, but it helps curve those snack time cravings and allows you to eat a smaller lunch. If you miss out on breakfast, by the time lunch comes around you could be starving and then overeat! So make sure you take the time to wake up a few minutes early and grab a nutritious breakfast.
- Stay Hydrated
In general, people do not drink as much water as they should be! Water has a lot of great benefits, and when you are properly hydrated, it can help prevent unnecessary snacking. By filling yourself up with water, you’re staying hydrated and keeping yourself from filling up with wasted calories!
In general, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine say that men should drink about 15.5 cups a day, and women should drink about 11.5 cups of water per day. We know it sounds like a lot, but once you begin adding water to your daily routine, you will barely even realize it! If it helps, you can carry around a large water bottle or water jug that tells you how much you are drinking. There are also plenty of apps for your phone that can help you track your water intake.
- Find Substitutes for Healthier Food
Sometimes the hardest part of losing weight is changing up your diet. For people who aren’t used to it, it can be challenging, especially if you aren’t quite sure what you can substitute to make healthier meals. Our recommendation is that you jump on Google and search for substitutes of your favorite foods! A lot of times there are healthier versions of what you are eating now, so you won’t have to sacrifice on flavor.
Swapping out a few of your meals each week with something a little healthier can make a big difference in the long run. Even if you are forced to eat out or have fast-food, either order smaller portions, or maybe order a salad off the menu. A lot of restaurants and fast-food options have a nutritional chart hanging up you can use as a guide, too.
- Don’t Drink Your Calories
When we say, “don’t drink your calories”, a lot of people assume that we are talking about alcohol. While alcohol is one of the things you should cut back on when trying to lose weight, there are plenty of other things we want you to avoid too. Sodas and coffee drinks that are high in sugar can have a high amount of calories, and those calories add up quickly. Replace these high sugar, high calorie drinks with something like a flavored water, or even a healthy smoothie. There are plenty of options that you can swap your drinks for that can have a positive impact on your overall healthy.
Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and we want to ensure you that we are there with you every step of the way. You don’t need to undergo drastic changes to your lifestyle to lose weight. Our small steps to getting healthier is a great start for anyone looking to lose weight, and we are happy to help if you need some assistance or have any questions. With Options Medical Weight Loss, you’ll never feel alone!