We may become disheartened during a weight-loss journey if we don’t see the results we want straight away. It can be hard to stick to a healthier lifestyle long-term, and breaking healthy habits can result in weight gain.
Why is it difficult to stick to a healthier lifestyle? It’s mainly because predictable things can get in the way of our good intentions. Fortunately, there are ways to turn this around. Keep reading to learn four behaviors that can help you achieve your long-term health goals.
Plan Your Meals
When you don’t know what you want to eat in advance, say for dinner, you may eat whatever’s available at dinner time. Consider pre-planning your meals and snacks so, at mealtime, there’s no need to ponder. Try foods with vegetables, lean protein, non-fat dairy, fruits, and whole grains.
Keep an Eye on What You Eat
Another powerful weight loss strategy is tracking what you eat. There’s no need to count and record every calorie; just note the meal. With this practice, you can notice patterns, and research suggests that this helps with successful long-term weight loss.
Think About What You’re Thinking
Many of us have an “all-or-nothing” attitude about developing a healthier lifestyle. So when things don’t go as planned, we see it as messing up. Thinking in this way can impact our actions. For example, it’s very easy to consider finishing a tub of ice cream if we’ve already eaten half. So try to notice and challenge any negative thought patterns.
Go Easy on Yourself
Practice self-compassion. Falling off the wagon is inevitable and not the end of the world. Remember that you’re human, speak kind words to yourself, jump back on the wagon and keep going.
