Jumping on your weight loss journey and promoting health awareness is a multi-faceted process that requires dedication, determination, and support. Nowadays, social media platforms, along with digital marketing, are powerful tools for weight loss programs to connect directly with their target audience. Leveraging digital marketing efforts enables you to connect with a broader audience, to inspire others, and contribute to a healthier and more informed community.
Furthermore, document sharing your transformation through blog posts, videos, or other digital content is a great step in raising awareness. Authentic storytelling can be compelling and relatable, resonating with others who may be facing similar challenges. You can create a meaningful and far-reaching impact, making a positive difference in the lives of those seeking to improve their health and well-being. Remember that every step you take, both in your own journey and in raising awareness, can lead to lasting and transformative changes for yourself and others around you.
Do you feel extremely overwhelming deciding to lose weight might feel?
Between the choices of changing your lifestyle, diet, and exercise, the mounting choices might prevent you from starting. You won’t also lose your seventy pounds in a month nor drop two jean sizes in a day. Honestly, the journey isn’t going to be easy.
So, “where do I start my weight loss journey?” Hopefully, this posting answers this question, and you won’t have to ask it again.
Start By Making a Commitment
The real key to weight loss is commitment. Without this, your weight-loss progress might remain temporary – preventing you from achieving your long-term weight-loss goals.
It would help to have a written contract committing to the process. A well-written contract will help you actualize your thoughts. Remember to list:
- How much weight you intend to lose
- The date you wish to lose weight
- Changes you’ll make to your diet
- Schedules for regular physical activities
Moreover, post the reasons you want to lose weight. They will remind you daily why you’re making this change.
Consult Your Medical Weight Loss Physician
Don’t hesitate to consult your medical weight loss physician. They will help you change your eating habits and lifestyle, lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. They also help explore some of the following weight-related issues that might be challenging for you to lose weight:
Sleep Disorders
- Upper airway respiratory syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Hormonal Disorders
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
Eating Disorders
- Bulimia
- Carbs craving syndrome
Other factors that interfere with your weight loss efforts are medicines like:
- Valproate for epilepsy
- Neuroleptics for schizophrenia
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Progestins for birth control
- Lithium for manic depression
- Sulfonylureas or insulin for diabetes
- Tricyclic antidepressants for depression
- Beta or alpha-blockers for high blood pressure
Your Medical Weight Loss Physician can offer lifestyle change tips, treatment, or surgical procedures with that information.
Evaluate Your Current Life’s Circumstances
If you’re in unstable situations like stress, starting a new job, or spending too much time away from home, now might not be the best time to lose weight as it requires discipline and consistency. Stress isn’t always avoided and shouldn’t be your excuse for poor eating behavior.
It would be best to examine your stress after some time and see if you can create room for more exercise and healthy eating. They’re natural stress relievers and might fight the stress you’re feeling.
Foods like salmon, oatmeal, blueberries, and green leafy veggies can mitigate depression and stress and improve your immunity. Physical exercises help mitigate the mental effects of depression and stress.
Understand Your Current Eating Habits
It will help if you journal your diet. This will help you avoid mindless eating. Here are low-carb meals ideas to help kick start your weight loss journey:
Breakfast Ideas
- Mushrooms, spinach, and crustless feta quiche
- Unsweetened Greek yogurt with almonds and berries
- Poached eggs with a side of berries and a sliced avocado
- Green smoothie with avocado, spinach, and nut milk
Lunch Ideas
- BLT wrap with peanut butter and celery stick
- Smoked salmon with a side of asparagus and a sliced avocado
- Spinach and kale salad with grilled tofu, guacamole, and chickpeas
- Lettuce wrap with grilled chicken, red pepper, black beans, and salsa
Dinner Ideas
- Salmon baked with ginger, roasted zucchini, and sesame oil
- Roasted cauliflower with Brussels sprouts, tempeh, and pine nuts
- Ground turkey baked with onions, cheese, peppers, and mushrooms
- Enchilada salad with chicken, spices, mango, peppers, and avocado
- Antipasto salad with asparagus, white beans, olive oil, Parmesan, and cucumbers
Snack Ideas
- Kale chips
- Tuna pouches
- Steamed edamame
- Brie and strawberries
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Spicy roasted chickpeas
- Veggies and cauliflower hummus
- Cottage cheese with flax seeds and cinnamon
- Healthy homemade trail mix with dried fruit and nuts
Set Realistic Goals
Effective, great goals should be specific and realistic. Set some short-term physical activity and eating goals like eating a lighter breakfast, having a 15-minute walk in the evenings, or having veggies or salad with supper. Focus on one goal at a time.
For example, “exercising more” isn’t a specific goal. But you can walk 15-minutes, three days a week. This helps set a specific and realistic goal at the start.
Small changes a day lead to big results in the long run. Also remember, realistic goals are achievable goals. That’s why achieving short-term goals makes you feel good about your progress and motivates you to continue. Setting unrealistic goals like losing 20 pounds in 2 weeks might leave you frustrated and defeated.
Being realistic means expecting occasional setbacks for many reasons — maybe longer work hours, holidays, or another life change. Get on track quickly if setbacks happen. And take some time to think about how you can prevent similar future occurrences.
Track Your Progress
You’ll be motivated when there is a tangible movement toward your goals. It’s unhealthy to get obsessed over how fast and much you lose weight. But setting some benchmarks might be helpful.
There are countless ways to monitor your weight loss, like taking your measurements occasionally or weighing yourself regularly.
Choose a method that surely motivates you. It might also involve your wedding dress, a pair of skinny jeans, or another garment you intend to fit into once you lose a few pounds. Here are some tools to help track your progress and actualize your goals:
- A BMI calculator
- A measuring scale or tape
- A pedometer to count your steps
- Smartphone apps to record exercise and diet
Remember that real progress comes from putting in the effort to exercise and eat clean over a sustained period. So, don’t despair if you don’t notice any instant results.
Most Importantly, Don’t Give Up!
Please don’t give up even after starting a program and find that it doesn’t work as planned. This doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals. It means you have to try something else. You have to experiment and find a plan that works best for you.
So, if you want to lose a few pounds, it would be best to ask your medical weight loss physician for assistance.
There are programs, medications, and possibly weight loss surgery options to help you lose weight. Seek assistance when you need it and expect setbacks in your weight loss journey. That’s the reality of the weight loss journey.