If you’re considering start a weight loss program, chances are, you’re already debating some of the finer points of which diet to try, which gym to join, who to go to when you need support. But there are a lot of other things you need to think about too! Here are 7 things to do before starting your weight loss journey…
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1. Examine Your Reasons
Before you start any sort of personal journey, it’s important to make sure you’re setting off for the right reasons. If you’re not doing it for you, or if you’re being bullied into it, then you’re not ready, and you won’t succeed.
2. Talk to Your Doc
If you have health concerns, or if you’re obese or morbidly obese, you need to have a conversation about weight loss with your doctor before you start your weight loss journey. Your doctor will tell you what pitfalls to avoid, and may also be able to help with specific diet plans.
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3. Align Your Support
Having a reliable network of friends and family who will support and encourage you during your journey is one major key to success, so before you begin, line them up! Let them know how important they are to your plans and your success… if they truly love you, they’ll be delighted to help!
4. Get the Goods
Dieting and exercise may be something new for you… so it’s time to get the gear you need to begin! For your workouts, you’ll need good cross-training shoes, something comfortable to wear. For the kitchen, you’ll need the pots, pans, and other equipment and utensils for preparing healthful, tasty meals.
5. Choose a Diet
Now you need to choose a diet plan! There’s an excellent free tool at choosemyplate.gov that can be personalized to you, specifically taking into account your nutrition needs. Take a peek! It’s actually very interesting to see the plate vs. pyramid re-design.
6. Choose a Workout
This may seem daunting, but it’s so important to do this before you start your weight loss journey! Get recommendations from friends, do some online research, or hire a professional trainer. Either way, you need to have a workout regimen planned because changing your diet alone won’t help you succeed.
7. Set Realistic Goals
If you’re planning to lose 50 pounds, don’t expect to lose it in two weeks. Setting unrealistic, unattainable goals will only discourage you. During your conversation with your doctor, outline weight loss milestones you can achieve with hard work. Anything more will only set you up for disappointment, and even failure.
Now that you’ve read this little check-list of the things to do before you start your weight loss journey, I’m sure you’ve already done some of these… so you’re ready to get on your way! You’ll be brilliant, my dear! …Or have I left something important off my list? Do tell!
Top Photo Credit: Kiss the Bride
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