Health 2000 marketing manager Stu Cook gives us the keys to successful weight loss.
It’s that time of year when we all become very aware of our beach bodies! Maybe you have put on a few KGs over winter? Perhaps you have been watching the scales creep up over time, unsure of what to do? Or maybe you have just got on the scales for the first time and thought
“is that my phone number or my weight?!”
So what are some of the must-dos to start losing the KGs and feeling a little better?
The first is to reduce your stress. This is so important because stress can affect your adrenal glands which, in turn, can make you feel tired, hungry and in need of comfort – chocolate bar in hand. Reduce the stress and you will find it so much easier to lose the weight.
Secondly eat nutritious foods. Portion size is important, but so are the foods we are consuming. Good wholefoods that fuel our body are well worth the investment. Personally, having cut the rubbish foods and extra coffees, buying superfoods didn’t affect the wallet as much as I thought it would.
Thirdly get moving! If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times. A little goes a long way. Recently I sat down and considered how active I actually was: I got up, sat down for breakfast, sat in the car to work, sat at work all day, sat in the car on the way home, and then sat down for dinner and TV. Since introducing activity into my day, the weight is on its way down.
There are also things to avoid:
Don’t starve yourself! Skipping breakfast, or trying to go as long as you can without eating (then eating a small piece of cheese – I blame The Devil Wears Prada for that one) is not going to get you thin. It’s going to make your life a misery and can cause no end of damage to your body.
Trying for unrealistic achievements. Wanting six pack abs is admirable, and achievable. Wanting a six pack abs in a month is unrealistic if you are overweight, and can be the cause of losing motivation instead of weight. So be realistic and set mini milestones along the way.
Time to think
Finally, think about the support you have. Some people can do it alone, others need a helping hand. We are all different. If you would rather start something with a friend, give it a go and motivate each other.
All in all, anything is possible if you put your mind to it and don’t try to do too much at once!
Article | Stu Cook.
