Choosing a weight loss plan or a weight management program for your life is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. If you want to succeed at your goals, you need a plan that realistically works for your life. This is especially important if you are formulating a plan for a New Year's resolution or a special event, like a beach vacation. If you are quite busy, you should probably not plan to exercise at the gym twice daily and prepare three meals a day from scratch. If you set goals that are too out of reach, you are more likely to become discouraged and give up on your weight loss program altogether.
Decide on Your Goals
Before formulating your plan, decide what your goals are. Losing those couple holiday pounds? Maintaining your figure as your metabolism slows down? Decreasing your body fat percentage? Every person at the gym has different goals, so don’t completely base yours off of other people. It’s fine to gather advice from reputable sources, but make sure those plans work with your body and are something you want to do. Remember, weight management is not a one-time thing, its a lifestyle change, so choose a workout routine that you are not going to grow tired of.
Grab a Friend
If you are a social person, it is sometimes easier to stay with a workout plan if you are doing it with someone else, such as a spouse or friend. Working together towards a New Year’s resolution, perhaps, will give each of you company during your exercise routines for weight loss and will hold you accountable. Figure out your workouts and meal plans together to make it more fun, and you will have a partner to help you along the way when you are feeling unmotivated to hit the treadmill or spend time on your exercise bike.
It Takes Two
Working out at the gym or home gym isn’t enough to manage your weight in a healthy way. Your body also needs the proper nutrition, so don’t forget to make healthy, unprocessed foods to eat. Preparing healthy meals in bulk on the weekends can save you quite a bit of time during the week, so write out a specific grocery list of nutrient-rich foods, like nuts and lean turkey breast. For those who enjoy cooking, choose new recipes that challenge your culinary skills, and for beginners, there are quite a few simple recipes out there that anyone can put together, such as a grilled chicken salad.
