By Why do we sometimes make the weight loss journey so hard — it’s not meant to be!
It seems that most of the population is keen on knowing how to lose weight, become fitter and look fantastic. So they admire someone from afar that looks just the way they want to. But when you are standing in admiration, the truth about their journey is that it’s quite simple — easy in fact. It’s just a bit of a challenge in the beginning, as are all new and unknown things. The difference is, our fit friends are consistent and committed to the game every day. Our own weight loss journey doesn’t have to involve much intensity. The bigger goals you have, the more effort you have to make than the average person. We can go as narrow or broad as our goals develop and grow. But, we all have a few things in common when it comes to achieving our weight loss and maintenance fitness goals.
It all boils down to the most important things below:
Significant point number one: Watch your nutrition every single day
Watching your food entails monitoring the three following macronutrients: Carbs, fats and proteins Carbs to eat: Don’t avoid them, but eat the ones that provide nutritional value (like sweet potato, oats, quinoa, and rice sometimes) Stay away from refined carbs like cakes, pastries, candy and anything else that’s processed Protein: Eat low-fat sources of protein regularly (egg, chicken, turkey etc.), and throw in some fatty varieties regularly. Fats: Eat almonds, avocado, coconut and olive oil. Don’t be afraid of fats as you need them!
Pro Tip: The best way I monitor my carb intake per day is this way:
I eat a portion of carbs after training to replenish glycogen and lower cortisol from my training intensity. That source of carbs is oats. I eat some form of carb source for lunch, which is usually sweet potato. I pick a small size and bake it, or I get a medium-sized potato and delve it up between 2 days worth of meals. That’s how simple it is. I don’t eat dinner, as I fast until breakfast. Therefore, I don’t have to watch my carb intake too much — but I still pay attention to my portions and make sure I’m not going overboard more than a couple of days in a row.
Important point two: Do the necessary activity every single day
When we were in lockdown for about five months, I purchased a treadmill and had a chin-up bar and weights. I would concentrate on circuit training with weights and power walking on an incline almost every single day. The treadmill helped me keep my legs strong and my fitness levels high. It was never an exhaustive exercise, but it gave me the results I wanted. Weights were conducted with dumbbells I had and bodyweight exercises. Now, I’m two weeks into the gym and slowly getting stronger. You have to commit to going to the gym or being active every day. It doesn’t have to be a considerable chunk of time; break it up during the day, so you elevate your metabolism all the time. We weren’t made to sit on a chair all day. For the sake of our health, we need to stay active.
I like to train in the morning, then walk after I eat breakfast and shower. I call it my morning meditative walk. Listen to the audiobooks that set me up for a joyous day. Sometimes the dog comes with me — but usually, it’s just me and the crispness of the morning breeze.
That’s pretty much it, guys — it’s not a big deal or an obstacle.
But, we have to promise ourselves that the health of our mind and body is the most critical priority in our life- because, without it, we won’t be able to look after our family and make a difference in the world.