How to start your weight loss if you have a lot to lose
Knowing that you have a significant amount of weight to lose can be extremely overwhelming. That big number may loom in front of us and the more we think about it, the less likely it seems that itโs even possible to shift the excess weight.
Donโt despair however. We have good news. Weโve rounded up our top tips on how to start your weight loss if you have a lot to lose and remainย motivated for the long haul.
Top tips:ย How To Start Your Weight Loss If You Have A Lot To Lose
1. Break it down
If you would like to lose 3st. in 12 months, donโt keep telling yourself โI need to lose 3stโ. Instead, break this major goal down into a monthly goal of losing 3.5 lbs per month for the year.ย Doesnโt seem so scary now does it?
You can also set yourself non-weight related goals.ย For instance you might commit to no take away for a month; or decide to put four exercise sessions in your diary per week and stick to them.
2. Reward yourself
As part of these smaller goals, set yourself up with some little rewards to treat yourself when you reach them. This will really help you to stay motivated.
For instance maybe when you lose the first 10lbs you will buy yourself a new pair of workout tights or get a pedicure.
This can be much more fun as you can enjoy the high of achieving your smaller goal rather than waiting to celebrate your major goal when that could be over a year away.
3. Use the scales less often
For a lot of our mums, it has been helpful to only weigh-in every couple of weeks or even once a month.
Weighing yourself daily can set you up in a negative cycle of โtoday is a bad day because I put on weight since yesterdayโ.
In fact, your body can fluctuate wildly due to things like fluid retention (say if youโve eaten something salty); if you have consumed more fluid than usual; the temperatures outside or air conditioning inside, which can cause dehydration; or even hormonal changes that naturally occur in your body.
4. Get support
Signing up to theย 28 Day Weight Loss Challengeย is a great way to keep you focused on your goals. It outlines in detail ideas for exercise, as well as exactly what to eat for all meals and snacks (so that you donโt have to dream up new ideas for yourself each day). It even has a shopping list so you can make sure you have it all on hand.
You also have thousands and thousands of other mums on call who are doing the challenge with you, as well as the support of our Motivating Mums who are there to answer any questions you might have along the way.
Also try to get your partner and family on board too. This way you can all enjoy the benefits of healthy eating โ and you donโt have to cook two meals!
You can learn MORE about the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge HERE.
5. Find a buddy
Try to find a friend to be your weight loss buddy, and you can keep each other motivated and inspired. This could be a work colleague, a neighbour, your partner, a relative or a good friend.
Or why not jump onto ourย Facebook support groupย and see if you can find a buddy there to help keep you honest? You can send each other private messages or even texts if you felt that this could be helpful.
6. Use several measurements of success
As we all know, sometimesย the scales are not our friendย (and sometimes they are just plain nasty). So having other ways to measure your success can be a powerful motivator.
For instance you can take your measurements and update these on a monthly basis. Many mums find that even though the scales havenโt had a huge shift, theyโve lost inches off their waist and that can give you a really big lift in the motivation side of things.
You might also take your photo in the same clothes and same position once a month and use that as a way to see how far youโve come.
7. Banish the term โdietโ
Instead of feeling as though you are on a diet (which has connotations that itโs something you are only doing for a set period) think of your new way of eating as a focus on healthy living instead.
For instance you might decide that you will reduce your processed food intake, limit added sugar, or up the amount of leafy greens you eat each day. Try this delicious stir fry recipe to start with, and see what you think.
Making commitments like these to improve your health will mean that the positive results will naturally follow.
Be INSPIRED & MOTIVATED by MOREย mums who have reached their goals
1.Rae Willingham
Mum of three children young children, Rae, has overcome negative self belief in the face of ย some very big obstacles. Afterย losing 3st.ย and maintaining her goal weightย withย The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss challengesย she says:
โI am no longer the girl who suffered debilitating anxiety and regular panic attacks. The one full of excuses not to go out and enjoy life. I am now this amazing butterfly who loves her life and lives it with no worries (well far fewer, I am still a woman after all!)โ.
2. Jo Hart
Jo Hart notย only rocks her new bikini, she hasย lost 5.13stย withย The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges.
She says:ย ย โI am proud of the change I have made for not only me but for my family tooโ.
3. Renee Harrison
Mum Renee has overcome depression and anxiety stemming from an abusive relationship and transformed her bodyย losing 6.6st.ย withย The Healthy Mummy Smoothies, free snack recipes and portion controlled high protein meals.
She says:ย โPreviously I lived day by day, but now I embrace life as it were my last day on the earth!โ.
4. Elle Temple
Smashing her weight loss goal of 3.13stย withย The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Program, Elle now focuses on toning up. ย Elle says:
โToday I am thankful that I am no longer afraid of having photos taken of me. I love that I have photos toย look back on and am proud of how far I have come. From being โobeseโ and having no energy to tackle my day, to being a healthy weight and being able to spring around with my crazy toddlerโ.
