Beginning Steps to Successful Weight Loss

Are you overwhelmed with all of the nutrition and fitness information out there? I have been studying this material for the last couple decades and even I get overwhelmed with all the conflicting information. If I were starting my weight loss journey all over again here is what I would focus on. First, I would start by reducing the ultra-processed foods from my diet. Now if a majority of your diet consists of these types of foods it may take a little bit of time to make this transition to eating whole foods. Ultra-processed foods are designed to keep you coming back for more. They are loaded with the cheapest ingredients that cause inflammation and disease in the body. Ultra-processed foods have no place in anyone’s diet. If you can eliminate these types of foods that is going to be one of the biggest contributors to your success in losing weight. Trust me, I tried to outwork a bad diet for many years, and it doesn’t work. It wasn’t until I really started prioritizing good, nutritious food that I was able to lose weight and keep it off. I feel like many people are able to go on a diet or new exercise program and they may lose some weight in the beginning, but the problem is being able to sustain that weight loss long term. Often times the weight will slowly start to creep back on when they can no longer carry on with the diet or when the demands of life cause their exercise routine to go to the wayside. The answer is simple. While simple is not always easy losing weight and keeping it off consists of some very basic rules. First, you need to eliminate the foods that are causing the weight gain and inflammation. Prioritize healthy meat, fruits, and vegetables. Cut out all ultra-processed foods. Second, find some sort of movement that is both challenging and rewarding. It is important to find something that you can get yourself to do daily. Third, keeping your stress under control. Stress is a big contributor to weight gain and causes you to crave sugary foods. Fourth, cut out products and cleansers with artificial fragrances and products that are damaging your health and contributing to weight gain. Start small and start with something that you are willing to do. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Don’t underestimate the impact that a 10 minute workout can have. That could be the start of you building a successful and sustainable workout routine. This is not just a diet or exercise change. This is a lifestyle change.