Many people lose weight on fad diets, but about 90% of those individuals will gain it back, and a staggering 40% will actually end up heavier than they were before they started the diet.
This is not only unhealthy, but it has a toll on the body as well as on the mind. To avoid this stress and frustration, simply getting rid of fad diets and making changes to your life to include wellness tips for long term health and weight loss is by far the most effective option.
Medical doctors overseeing patients with weight loss goals provide a series of wellness tips they use to help people to see weight loss in a different light. Changing this mindset or this perspective on weight loss and management is not only positive, but it can result in dramatic long-term and sustained weight loss and improved health.
Important Changes in Thinking
To get out of the “dieting” thought process and into the sustained health and wellness mindset start by:
- Working with a doctor or nutritionist to learn about good nutrition and balance in your diet.
- Avoid restricting yourself from foods by making some foods “bad”. Instead, focus on choices and the results of those choices in your overall goals.
- Be mindful when you eat and prepare meals and snacks you enjoy but don’t just eat to have something to do.
- See weight loss as a long-term lifestyle change and choice, not as a short part of your life you can simply get through and go back to original habits.
- Learn to understand your body and not eat out of boredom, because of where you are or what you are doing, or because of the amount of food on your plate.
- See food as a necessary part of life but not as a reward or as a source of comfort.
Additionally, surround yourself with positive, happy people that encourage you and help you to achieve your goals in all areas of your life.
Getting Active
Getting active and learning to find exercise and activities you enjoy are essential wellness tips your doctor will work with you to develop. Being active on a regular basis will help overall health including lowering your bad cholesterol, blood pressure, weight and help with blood sugar regulations.
To boost activity levels start slowly and work in your target heart rate. This will be a unique number that is calculated by subtracting your age from 220 and multiplying by 0.70.
Make sure to start with a warm-up session of stretches and end with a cool down. Just 30 minutes of walking jogging, swimming or other aerobic activities can burn up to 200 calories, and that can really add up over time. To get started pick one activity and then add on as you feel comfortable, confident and more energetic.
