- Establish a realistic goal: Think about what you want to achieve and why. Set a positive-minded, health-and-fitness-oriented goal — defined by
behaviors you’re willing to change — that you know you can accomplish. Be specific and realistic.
- Find a support system: Surround yourself with people who can help you achieve your weight-loss goal, whether that’s a formal support group, a class,
one-on-one counseling, or your friends and family.
- Think positively: Dial down destructive thinking and put your energy toward proactive steps that will take you to your goal. Stop thinking of yourself
as fat and start focusing on how fit you can become.
- Use nutrition as an ally: Emphasize good nutrition and educate yourself about how it enables your body to control cravings and regulate its weight
through healthy metabolism, hormones and genetic expression. Remember that you also need good nutrition to support your mood, immunity and fitness activities.
- Focus on fitness. Make your exercise less about burning calories than building metabolism and strength, growing your body confidence, and establishing
a healthy lifestyle that includes active fun, play, challenge and adventure.
- Watch for positive change: But don’t get hung up on the scale. Pay more attention to how you look and feel — and how your clothes fit.
- Don’t rush the process: Sustainable and healthy weight loss isn’t a quick fix. It’s a life shift, one that offers tremendous rewards beyond weight loss.
As your body gets healthier, weight loss will happen and healthy habits will start to feel automatic.
- Get help when you need it: If you aren’t making progress, get some expert help. You may have an underlying health condition or another unaddressed obstacle
that requires attention.
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